Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Vintage Carson and Barnes

I have never heard of this trainer. Is this possibly Okie Carr? He was mauled severely in the late 60's early 70's.

7 comments:

Dennis said...

Those props look familiar but I don't think that is Okie.
I believe it was female that got him. He spent ten months in the hospital. Dennis

Wade G. Burck said...

Dennis,
I always thought it was a female that got Okie also. This picture is odd because I have never heard of the person mentioned, and it was a few years around when Okie got hurt. Have you ever heard of this person on Carson and Barnes?

Wade

Jim A. said...

Don't know the trainer but I know the lion. David (King David or Davy) was one of Jules Jacot's that he owned and presented at the ST. Louis Zoo. Jules finished the 1969 season with the Zoo owned 2 lion - 4 tiger group originally trained by Dick McGraw, Zoo owned 4 leopard - 3 puma - 1 young lion group Jules trained, and 5 male lions Jules personally owned. The lion - tiger group and 3 of Jules lions were sold to Carson and Barnes. Robert Baudy was the broker and Joe Horwath came up to the Zoo to pick up the cats. The Zoo gave Jules the leopards and the young lion. Jules worked with one of his old lions and the young lion and leopards at the Glen Oak Zoo in Peoria, IL in 1970. Jules died in Jan. 1971. One of Jules' lions and then pumas bacame exhibit animals.

David was a "pet" lion found in an apartment in New York City. The STL Zoo took him and gave him to Jules for the show. He was a small lion, usually quiet except when he'd have one of his days. I don't think he was an easy animal to work with, not one for a less-experienced trainer. He had lived with one trainer in one location for several years and I'm sure C-B was a shock for the old boy. Jules younger lions, Tom and Jerry also got some presenters on CB. The old Dick McGraw cats weren't around too long. I think the whole package was sold to Dory Miller as a 5 lion - 4 tiger act. Did about as well as the Hawthorn Fantasy.

Jim A. said...

The pedestal's from the Zoo. The barrel is Carson & Barnes.

Dennis said...

No Wade, I never saw that name before. It almost even sounds made up doesn't it?
Okie must have healed very well, as I never saw any physical imparement. He never spoke of the incident. It was his wife Judy who told me.
Its that time of the year in Mn. that I envy you down there in the land of holas. Dennis

Wade G. Burck said...

Dennis,
Okie occasionally would complain of a stiff shoulder and arm from the mauling. He told me about it. They actually rolled him up in a piece of sidewall as they thought he was dead, to await the ambulance.

Wade

Wade G. Burck said...

Jim,
Oh boy, great great stuff. You and Clubb are sure schooling use. Thank you. I saw where you named the unknown cat act at Medina Temple. I noted it was Jose and waited to see who else would know. I sent in a comment stating, "Geez Gentlemen, the towner know the answer you didn't." It was apparently "unseemly" as it didn't make the grade. :)

Wade