I have heard this gentleman's name in the past, but I had never seen a picture of him. Does that look like a Tiglon on the right or just a beautiful maned male? Note the bear's in back? Casey, this is the oblique that excited some. Note the trainers position. If he was left handed they would be obliquing the other direction. Some can only speculate with their "opinions".
Friday, February 20, 2009
Franz Kraml
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
5 comments:
Just got off the phone with Josip Marcan, and he tells me that the first tiger act Charley Baumann brought to the United States, was trained by Franz Kraml.
Wade
I think Baumann hit his peak later in his career after he trained more cats himself for the act. The act started very small rite?
Casey,
As did Gunther. They didn't become "European" until there were more cats purchased for them to train and make the big 17-20 numbers for which they became known.
Wade
Franz Kraml was one of the very good trainers at that time and Circus Aeros produced quite a few trainers that ended up in the UK. Charles Illeneb being one of them. The prop at the back of the lay down pictured was like a revolving step pyramid. In this particular group lions, tigers and bears sat on the steps and the whole thing revolved. When Illeneb came to Smart's in 1954 he brought this idea with him and trained the new polar bear act to perform this particular trick. It looked fantastic with seven polar bears and one pushing it around. I always liked it, but it was quite a monstrosity in the middle of the ring throughout the act. Kraml's son had very good brown bear act. I knew him at one time. He did come to the USA with a short lived Canadian circus in 1981. I can't remember the name of the show now.
By the way, Wade, you commented that your hobby is tropical fish. So is mine. I specialize in marines. Did you know John Illig's father was probably America's most famous breeder of guppies and John's family were wholesalers of tropical fish?
Jim,
I was not aware of a bear act that came here in the early 80's, that is shortly before Dickys act was on the Hamid show with Marcel Peters. There was a short lived Stebbings circus in Canada about that time. I don't recall the name, possibly Ford Bros. Did Kraml work in the States at all?
I have always been taken by freshwater planted aquariums. The saltwater/marine have always kind of intimidated me. I was particularly into the Japanese style of Takashi Amano, but found that way to "labor intensive" and couldn't devote the time. There is nothing more relaxing then the world of aquariums.
I am amazed at learning about John's father. The name Illig in old periodicals and books, in regards to guppies, is as noted as Wattley to Discus or Lucas to Bettas. Thank you.
Wade
Post a Comment