Wasn't a big act as I recall; 2 lions, a tiger, 2 pumas, and a leopard or two. Neil, If I suggested the act changed quite often, possibly because of problems, would that be a wrong assumption or I just don't have access to documentation that we have today, and instead rely on eyewitness accounts? In the photo below have the lions not come in yet, or were they let out early? Photo above nothing over Kellers head. Photo at the bottom Leopard in the middle. What came first the chicken or the egg?
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
For Neil Cockerline--You decide what is fact and what is not in regards to circus history
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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I worked with George Kellar numerous times.[A whole winter sweason at Disneyland] and he and his act were first class all tghe way and he did not change animals. It was pretty much always the same, routine, etc. I even announced him and after getting all cats seated the ann. went like this, "You will now notice Prof. Kellar handing his gun and whip to the attendant on the outside of the arena. He is the only man in the world to remain in a cage with a mixed group of jungle beasts completely unprotected."He was first class all the way. For years he had two big fellows, Tiny and Al, [both dedicated] and they did it all. He was always well dressed and stayed in hotels.His animals props, etc. well spotless and yes they did have some spray that eliminated any animal odors. Incidentally his net over the arena had a center pole right in the middle of the cage and the nicely painted bottle walk would remain there during the act. His props were wood but artfully painted. He had been an art professor in a college in Penn. before going full time in the showbiz. I am sure all of his cats were declawed, but his act was well received and a credit to the business.
JOhnny,
I sure see a lot of different cat's in the various Keller pictures, and yes Lou had told me they were declawed. Maybe that's where Roger gets that nonsense that he pins on "new school" trainers.
Wade
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