Gunther Gebel Williams
Charley Baumann
Monday, January 18, 2010
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A Blog designed for discussion of topics related to, but not limited to, Circus, Zoos, Animal Training, and Animal Welfare/Husbandry. Sometimes opening up the dialog is the best starting point of all. And if for nothing else when people who agree and don't agree, get together and start discussing it, it will open up a lot of peoples minds. Debate and discussion even amongst themselves opens a window where there wasn't one before.
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17 comments:
Here's something you might get a chuckle out of. Recently there was a news story posted on the other blog about animal rights activists who were kidnapped by bikers. Although the story has been re-posted on dozens of other web sites, it is in fact a fake story. When I pointed this out to Buckles, along with the link to the original parody, my post was censored. I guess the story was too good to have the truth revealed LOL
http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s2i66233
Anonymous,
I was sent the same story, probably by the same person. I didn't feel it was "newsworthy" so didn't post it. Censoring is how all good dictators wrote self serving news. But the fact is, you never want facts to get in the way of a good circus story.
Wade
Wade
How long has the Circus Ring of Fame been in existance?
Do you you know if GGW & CB were still with us when they were honored?
I was really glad to see that Rudi & Sue Lenz were honored. Alot of the items I have collected have come from Sue, she was always a pleasure to deal with. Quite a few items she gave to me as gifts because she knew I appreciated the Circus and it's history.
I haven't seen a chimp act since they retired and given how dangerous thier act was to present and train I don't know that we'll ever see one again.
Vincent,
I am not sure how long it has been around. Maybe some of the great circus fans can tell us. GGW was around, but Charley wasn't. There is a very sad story surrounding Charley's induction. The Ring of Fame is about as valid as a Monte Carlo clown.
Wade
WGB - some of us are at the other end of the world. But we are not so isolated that we do not know of [and have seen] Charly Baumann's work.
So, would you like to tell us about the "sad story" about Mr Baumann's induction?
Or do I have to wait for that bloody email that is "still coming"?
PS: I was in South Africa last week and saw some really white lions. So there!!!
Steve,
What a bloody gossip monger. Your head pops right up at the prospect of dirt. LOL I don't care where you were at when you saw "white" lions. Dreams can be vivid sometimes, but that is the only place where you will see one.
Charley was put in after his death almost as an afterthought. Somebody has to "sponsor" you, by paying for the 5,000.00 wagon wheel. That is the shabbiness of the deal. Donations were sought/solicited from many avenues including donations through circus report. Former RBBB clown Peggy Williams was the leader of the effort. Finally got enough funds to get him in, and it almost didn't happen. Word has always been, not a nickle from the Feld Corp. or Ringling. Get this. GGW was sponsored by a friend from South Carolina who owns a restaurant, Charley was sponsored by Allen Bloom and friends, and two years ago, Bello Nock went in sponsored by Kenneth Feld and the Feld Corp!!!!!!!!
I will look for pictures of those "white lions."
Wade
My question is, how did Manuel Ruffin rate a plaque. I hope it's not for the same reason our president rated a nobel prize.
Wade
If RBBB/Feld had just chipped in $1.00 for everyday Charley was employed by them they would have well exceeded $5,000. You once wrote to me that Charley was bitter about things. If I risked my life 2 to 3 times a day for 20 plus years and wasn't worth $5,000 to my employer, bitter wouldn't begin to describe my feelings. Maybe it was a good thing Charley wasnt here to see how this played out.
I saw you made another jab at the Monte Carlo Clown Award on another post. Are those really a joke? Is there really competion among the acts? Or is it " thanks for showing up, here's your clown" .
Vincent
Vincent,
Folks have been making "jabs" at Monte Carlos since the late 90's early 00's in private. Like many things "circus" they were afraid to express what they were seeing publicly. Slowly, slowly that is changing, and possibly, just possibly the state of the circus can turn around. It has been a sham for many, many years. A good idea, with great intentions, that slowly bastardized into a self serving festival, with no more validity then our own Evansville Turkey Festival. Type Monte Carlo in the search engine on the "history channel" to see some of the fact's that have been reveled and brought to light.
Wade
Anonymous,
Don't be ridiculous!!!!! It had nothing to do, with something as insignificant as the Nobel Peace Prize.
I'll let Roger Smith explain:
"The role of Gun Boy, in the days when he was known as Junior, carried a degree of respect. Often, when people wanted access to Beatty, the Gun Boy was the man to see. Gun Boy may now be a title seldom known of, or which has faded in significance around cat acts, but in Junior's era, it meant the man who oversaw the running of the act, from gun care to gaffing chairs and mending whips, to setting the tunnel, the props, and the arena itself once the prop boys set it up. Outside the cage, during the act, he handed, or sometimes threw, guns, whips and poles to the trainer, and it was generally understood he was there to serve as back-up in times of animal trouble. Everyone around Beatty in those days knew Junior was "the man".
Manueal Ruffin told us he was named Junior by Clyde Beatty himself. He later became Prince Bogino, an African American animal trainer. A ground breaking feat, being the time in history and the color of his skin. Later on in life he followed Charlie Smith as Train Master on RBBB.In between these great careers he managed and held other amazing positions .
He was an underpaid, important consultant for the very successful Universoul.
As my friends and I were talking we picked some names of other performers/producers we strongly believe who so deserve to be there.
Paul Kaye, Frank and Ruthie Clarke, King Charles Weatherby,Tavana Luvas and Wade Burck!!
"The St Armands Circle Ring of Fame was first started in 1987 as a way to honor famous circus performers and the rich circus heritage of the Sarasota area.
The St Armands Circle Ring of Fame honors circus greats with their own bronze plaques along the palm-tree circled park’s outer edge. Over 80 circus greats from all over the world are remembered here".
I second the Circus Ring of Fame nominations made by Rebecca Ostroff!
Rebecca and Jessica,
Your "nomination" is humbly appreciated. I should think Paul Kaye would be a shoo in, but what is the criteria that would place Frank and Ruthie Clarke, King Charles Weatherby,Tavana Luvas and Wade Burck over hundreds of others? Like Monte Carlo and all things "circus" the selection process is wrapped in dark mystery. The only consistency I have ever heard from former and present members of the selection process board is, "it is basically a popularity contest."
Wade
The criteria for those other nominees is excellence, integrity, passion, originality, respect for and contribution to the circus arts. The way to keep it from being just a popularity contest is to broaden who is allowed to nominate and vote --- at least that would make it a broader popularity contest!
I second what Jessica said !!
and if you have never seen a person perform how would you know who was great and who wasn't?
of course you have to have some kind of popularity..
perhaps not the most "liked" but the most amazing at what they did and how they did it..at that point or place in time
if someones hat is not thrown into the ring, the thoughts of them and their contribution will vaporize like a passing cloud..because the great contribution acts have made unfortunately is not always documented.
some performers are too busy working to hang their own paper...
Ring of Fame is a wonderful way to say..look at this person..this was their mark
I guess Dominique Jando has a brilliant thing with his Circopedia.
hmmm..that would be a huge undertaking, documenting all the performers in The American Circus.
Jessica and Rebecca,
It seem's that the folks are as speechless as I. Wow!!!!
Wade
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