Wade,
Terrific, I could listen to Mr Ruffin talk for days.
Heartbreaking when these living, breathing vessels of Circus History pass on, so much of what I love about the Circus, the memories and the stories are gone forever.
Did you know Mr Ruffin, any thoughts or rememberances about him?
My favorite line..."Clyde Beatty said to me, I'm gonna teach you how to be a Lion Tamer" is music to my ears.
Vincent/San Diego
"Manual Ruffin 1972 (From Jim Cole)"
Vincent,If you listen close, you will hear Junior make reference to the "caste" system, the "warm and cuddly" world that I mention often, that used to be prevalent in the unregulated world of the circus and it's "circus royalty" bs. It is not quite as prevalent today, but still very much a part of the scene. It isn't race related as much as position in life, what your job is, indicating "who" you are in many minds. On the contrary many, many folks have been given/offered a position only because they were a certain race, or a certain sex. Some succeeded brilliantly given that "biased" opportunity, and many were/are a bloody tragedy. Many were never given the opportunity because they weren't born in it(royalty) or they were grooms, goofs, shit shoveler's, prop guys, tent crew, etc. etc., or they weren't a "good looking broad." But just as many of the "riff raft" that were given the opportunity succeeded brilliantly, a great number were/are also a bloody tragedy. No other industry in the 20 century has proven the harmful affect's of racism, sexism, nepotism, favoritism. It will tank your world in just a few short decades. Better to bury it in the past, and go with qualifications.
The "Ring of Fame?" You figure it out Vincent, as your guess is as good as anybody's. It is another part of the shadowy, foggy, world of the circus, rivaling the going's on of the Vatican, very much like Monte Carlo depending on whom you ask. Possibly someone who is in the "know" will enlighten you(as I have requested on numerous occasions) on the election process, because I sure don't have a clue. There doesn't even appear to be a requirement/standard based on anything other then jackpots. What you will find if you are ever able to make it to an induction, is that for every 50 folks applauding their boy/girl up on the stage, there are 50 folks milling around behind the bleacher's telling anyone who will listen that inductees that day sure didn't deserve to have a wagon wheel, and why. In my humble opinion, I have concluded that about 40 percent are deserving, and 60 percent had nothing more then a source for 10,000.00 in which to purchase a wheel.
Wade
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2 comments:
Wade,
I watched the interview multiple times, and did catch the references to how the working people were treated compared to the "talent".
You've made comments regarding this on pasts posts. I had no idea at one period in time as Mr Ruffin stated, a working person wouldnt even talk directly to the performers interactions went thru a third party.
One thing the interview did was to put Clyde Beatty in a positive light, It didnt seem that he bought into that "caste system" He clearly took an interest in Mr Ruffin's future and took an active role in getting him established.
I'm still chuckling at the thought of The Great Clyde Beatty, sitting Junior down and to paraphrase telling him "You cant dance, you cant sing, your not gonna play sports....You better get in that cage and make somthing of yourself"......
that clip is priceless
Vincent/SanDiego
P.S. I think the Hollywood walk of fame works in the same way as the CIrcus Ring, Pay the MONEY get your plaque.
Junior RIP although ill see you soon so we can finish cutting jack pots .Cleanraul
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