thecircusblog | June 3, 2009
From left to right…….. Louie Goebel, owner of Goebel’s Lion Farm, Paul Hoefler, wild animal trainer and Louie Roth, Mr Goebel’s head trainer at the lion farm. Here are some little known facts: Louis Roth was tutored in the skills of wild animal training by Jack Bonadita, an Italian. He trained lions and bears and was considered […]
thecircusblog | March 19, 2009
Here are Harold Simmons and Gene Randow…. two very talented clowns. Gene had a pure instinct for comedy. He understood timing and how to get a laugh. Gene was a great help to me with the chimp act. The comedy in our act would start slowly then build to one laugh after another. We allowed the chimps to do their own […]
thecircusblog | March 16, 2009
Melvin Koontz and Jackie during a performance. Photo taken in the early 1930’s. Mr Koontz began his motion picture work at Luna Park with Jackie and later worked at the World Jungle Compound at Thousand Oaks, CA. He was noted for the animal fight scenes doubling for the actors. He first started his career at Selig’s Zoo […]
thecircusblog | March 7, 2009
This photo of Chet Juszyk during a performance on the Dobritch International Circus. Chet was a nice, easy-going guy. Some trivia about him includes that he was a paratrooper in the Korean War and went to Jungleland in Thousand Oaks to learn how to be a cat trainer under the GI Bill.
thecircusblog | March 7, 2009
This picture was taken just before Chet Juszyk was mauled by Brutus, one of his lions. This occurred during a performance at Jungleland. Chet survived the attack but needed months of medical attention and rehabilitation. I saw him months later and was relieved that he was doing well.
thecircusblog | March 6, 2009
In the bottom left corner is Joe Metcalf with Jenny 0ne of the zoo’s elephants. This photo taken in the early 1930’s at Luna Park formerly called Selig Zoo. The owner was WillIam Selig. Thoughout the years there were other wild animal trainers such as Olga Celeste, Louis Roth and Melvin Koontz. The park was located […]
thecircusblog | March 1, 2009
Here are the Wazzans doing their comedy ladder act. The name Volvos is a stage name. This photo was from 1981. Most circus families do two acts… some more . The reason for this is you can get more show dates with two than with only one. My acquaintance with Antar goes back many years starting when I took over […]
thecircusblog | February 26, 2009
I never knew Josip Marcan but I admired his tiger act. His presentation was first class, one of a kind. Thank you Wade Burck for the information concerning this fine performer and trainer.
thecircusblog | February 9, 2009
These little lion cubs will soon be in Clyde’s act. Photo taken in 1937, Clyde Beatty circus.
thecircusblog | February 6, 2009
This has nothing to do with circus performers, This is a mishap that took place at a zoo or a carnival snake show. The owner has a smile but the danger is there.
