Jack Ryan and Gunther Gebel Williams
Photo courtesy of Jack Ryan
[NOTE: The following article was originally presented 1979, in the program book for the 109th Edition of The Greatest Show On Earth. At the time, Gunther Gebel-Williams was beginning his second decade of performing before American audiences. The article was written by Jack Ryan.]
"Did you see me with the tigers tonight?" asked Gunther Gebel-Williams over a post-performance supper one evening last season.
"Sure did, Gunther," I replied. "The act looked great." It had.
The most celebrated star in the history of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus shook his blond head violently.
"No! Timing was off. Too many tigers not paying attention. Tomorrow morning we practice."
I glanced across the table at Sigrid, Gunther's wife and one of the most beautiful women in the world. Her eyes caught mine for a moment and spoke volumes. About what it's like to live with a man who's never content with anything less than perfection. About dedication, professionalism, and non-stop energy, and the long, grueling hours of work, the almost super-human patience necessary to make it all look so easy.
Over the past ten years -- his first decade with The Greatest Show On Earth -- Gunther Gebel-Williams has become a legend.
That's not surprising news, I know. There's hardly a man, woman, or child in the audience of any performance of the 109th Edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus who isn't fully aware that Gebel-Williams is, quite likely, the most brilliant, most versatile performer-trainer in international circus history. Today you have the great privilege of observing him in action at the absolute apex of a blazing career that has dazzled unbelievable audiences on four continents for the past quarter-century.
Watching him so skillfully disintegrate the natural barriers between man and beast is an experience you will always remember. Gunther's accomplishments will be debated and discussed for just as long as brave, motivated men dare to turn their backs on the ordinary and boldly enter the nether reaches of the impossible.
Gunther Gebel-Williams has been my friend for ten years -- since that unforgettable day in 1968 when he and his family, human and animal, sailed into a New Jersey port aboard a modern Noah's Ark and opened a whole new chapter in The Greatest Show On Earth's glorious history.
Down the gangplank that cold November morning came huge, sleek tigers in rolling cages, several herds of elephants, and scores of magnificent horses. It was difficult at the time to comprehend that one man loved, trained, and presented them all -- a feat of circus animal expertise truly without precedent.
On first meeting that morning, I took immediately to Gunther and Sigrid. Ditto their loyal band of helpers -- grooms, handlers, and caretakers -- who'd come along to this strange new land. The devotion and loyalty that these men feel for Gunther was then and is now incredible to behold.
The European reputation of this exceptional performer had, of course, preceded him. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey producer Irvin Feld purchased an entire show -- the fabled Circus Williams of Germany -- to secure his exclusive services. I'd asked Mr. Feld before Gunther's arrival to tell me what made him so special. The Circus' president would only smile knowingly, telling me that I'd have to see for myself.
That pleasure finally came several weeks into rehearsals for The Greatest Show On Earth's 99th Edition (Gunther's American debut) at Winter Quarters in Venice, Florida. As I entered the arena one early morning, Gunther was rehearsing with elephants. I stood transfixed for over an hour watching this slight, intense figure coax astonishing performances from the mammoth pachyderms, assisted only by vocal commands.
The same afternoon I saw him with tigers. Again I was dumbfounded with his skill, style, and almost mystical communication with the cats. I'd seen the future of the Circus, and it was Gunther! Quite simply, he was the best.
Before long, I came to know this remarkable man and began sharing some after-hours time with him, his people, and his animals. From beneath the spangles and international reputation there emerged a man who was gentle, kind, and very funny. (No matter the circumstances, he has never failed to make me laugh.) So much for the legend; he became and remains my friend, Gunther.
As time passed, I observed that other folks around the Circus were likewise captivated. Gunther, you see, never behaves like a star. That would never occur to him. He works harder and longer and cares more deeply than just about anybody around. If stakes must be driven for the menagerie tent, it's Gunther who hammers hardest. If a fellow performer or crew member has trouble, it's Gunther who's first on the scene, offering a strong back, cash money, or whatever's needed.
If a favorite person award was voted on by the cast and crew of The Greatest Show On Earth's Red Unit, I haven't the slightest doubt as to who'd win in a walk.
During Gunther's early years in America, it was my privilege as a member of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's national publicity staff to bring this extraordinary personality to the attention of press and public. Never has a publicist had a happier assignment -- the media loved him on sight and, total pro that he is, Gunther loved them right back, instinctively understanding the necessity of all the interviews, photos, and appearances.
With his second American decade now underway, I talked recently with Gunther about his adopted country and the audiences he's enthralled over the past ten years.
"I think I'm more American than German now," Gunther laughed, with more than a trace of the Teutonic still shading his speech.
"Before we came from Europe we were worried that the audiences here might not like us."
He reminded me that prior to his arrival, most wild animal trainers in the United States were into highly melodramatic routines, employing chairs, guns, and all sorts of loud noises.
"We thought the people might be disappointed because we didn't do all that," he recalls.
In fact, it was just the opposite: American audiences were delighted with this original, new look in animal training -- low key, highly polished presentations, designed to put the focus on the animals, not noisy theatrics.
Never content, Gunther's added many new and startling features to his repertoire since joining The Greatest Show On Earth. His bold and stylish work with leopards, panthers, and pumas, for instance, is a unique performance that Gunther labored to perfect for several years before allowing a public viewing. Since he's on tour for eleven months each year, preparing the new act entailed transporting several dozen animals -- not even seen by the audience -- around the Circus' route, to have them available for daily practice.
When Gunther arrived in America, his tiger presentation featured eight animals. Today he works with seventeen magnificent "cats" in the steel arena -- more than twice the number as ten years ago. He's never satisfied with the status quo and he receives total support from Irvin Feld and Kenneth Feld, the producers of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, who know and trust their star. If Gunther says it will happen, it happens.
In the fall of 1977, Gunther Gebel-Williams became the first circus performer in history to headline his own network television special. The hour-long CBS-TV show spotlighted the famous performer in a wide variety of incredible feats and was warmly received by press and public throughout the land.
The Golden God of the Circus is very proud that his entire family is involved in three-ring activities. Teen-aged daughter, Tina, appears in the Circus this season, and Gunther and Sigrid's Texas-born son, Mark Oliver, can at age 8, handle a herd of elephants with the best of 'em. For all the Gebel-Williams family, life really is a circus!
"Working closely with animals - training them, understanding them, and getting across their beauty and intellegence to the people - for me, that's the best life I can have," says Gunther with obvious sincerity.
"I love my work every day and only hope that the people who come to watch receive happiness and pleasure from what I do."
Gunther, can you doubt it?
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8 comments:
Wow. Thank you, Wade.
I read every word and had forgotten that I wrote it. Damn it, I wrote pretty good in my heyday! I would not change a word all these years later.
All best to you, heir to that throne,
Jack
Jack,
What!!!!! You forgetting you wrote that, is like Boss forgetting he trained that tiger. You were the Golden Scribe of the Golden Era. 1978 was when I started dyeing my hair, and had my pink costume made. When Irvin and Arnie came to Marine land and Game Farm to see the tiger act, and sign it in 1983 he asked if I had any questions. One of my questions was, "Is Jack Ryan going to write my program introduction?" There is very little you have penned Jack, that I have forgotten. Even if you weren't watching the wonders live, you could see it in your words. Thank you.
Wade
You are very kind, Wade. Like our Boss was. Yes. Gunther was my boss too (he would never admit that about me. But, yes, he was.)
In my circus career the Felds kept the whip to my neck, yeah --we did not have it easy. I had X amount of copy due from that year's program book. Wrote that piece about GGW from my heart in about half an hour before deadline. Still, this many years on, you forget things. But that piece was sincere and how I saw it. How I still see it,
I remember Irvin singing your praises before he signed you. Hope I did a good job with your program book stuff. Certainly tried to.
Thank you, Wade. Just glad to be remembered after all these years.
"May all your days..." Wait. I wrote that line in 1969 ... wish I had a nickel ...
Jack
wade
y
Jack,
Actually, I called him Boss out of the utmost respect. Like Bruce Springsteen and Frank Sinatra were called Boss. You knew without asking, who held the reins on that horse.
Wade
Gunther was also featured in the Sports Illustrated article which made such a big impression on me. Sincerely Paul
Paul,
He wasn't really featured(he did his own story a number of years prior), but I wanted him to be a part of it, as well as Charly Baumann, as they both were such a big influence on me. He came to Venice while the writer and photographer were finishing up the story to do the neck carry with the leopard to tie in with the neck carry with the plush lion that I had done in New York. I have the Polaroid picture they took to get the light setting. Boss and I had them film me kneeling and kissing his ring, while he "knighted" me with his buggy whip, but they never used it. They also never used(but they did mention) the "Temple of Charly's Whip" that had been set up in the hall way, so that I could meditate and ask it for advice each show. LOL Great times.
Wade
I am glad I am not trying to get bogged down on a muddy lot. It can get pretty deep.
Tanglefoot,
I am glad to see that you think you are aware of deep. I wasn't so sure reading some of you internet comments of late. If you want a real hoot, compare them to one's a year before, or next year. Folks have even taken to suggesting it depends on the time of day.
Wade
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