2010 Monte Carlo "New Act"
2006 Monte Carlo "Old Act"
Monday, January 25, 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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15 comments:
Nice act full of lionesses.
I know Martin Lacey jr. and his brother Alex since childhood. It's nice to see that both matured into top animal trainers. as kids they would both hang around the big cats and the practice barn after school. The apple does not fall far from the tree. With Susan Lacey, their mother, being a top tiger trainer and the father, Martin Lacey the worlds foremost lion trainer it comes almost natural.
Congratulations Martin you deserve it. I am proud of you.
-ov-
Othmar,
Define "worlds foremost" for us please. Susan told a group of us one day about having to run into the cage to get a couple of cat's off of you. We would sure like to hear about that. Would you care to enlighten us. Thanks.
Wade
During rehearsals two lions attacked out of the blue so to speak. Somehow, although badly wounded on my arms and legs, I managed to get back on my feet and made it to the door where I got pulled down again. Susan Lacey who did door duty on the cage arena, and I did door duty during her tiger act, opened the door and pulled me out. She didn't had to step in the cage to get me out I already was at the door but couldn't open it because I was fighting lions of off me.
The reason for the attack as we found out later was the circus lot which at the time was covered in sheep manure. The farmer thought he was kind to us if he let the sheep into the field to keep the grass short.
Martin Lacey senior never got a lot of publicly and neither craved for it, but in animal training circles he is recognized as the "words foremost lion trainer". I truly believe that a man that has trained more than 300 lions in his career and still trains lions to this day as an old man justifiably deserves that title.
-ov-
Alex scored the top prize at the Massy Festival this last weekend. He returns to Cirkus Charles Knie in Germany for the coming season.
Othmar,
Thank you. That was a much different story then we were told. I don't know if I agree with the "sheep shit" or not, but that is just my opinion. As for Mr. Lacey, we must sure run in different circles, because that is not the general consensus. That is amazing that someone can remember exactly how many animals they trained. I should think what they were trained to do, would be more qualifying then how many.
Wade
Not to be a smart ass. But that is the first time I have heard that "title" for Mr. Lacey as well. I was of the assumption in Europe that title would go to J. Clubb or D. Chipperfield. I have even heard Martin jr referred to as "Lion King" because of the success of this one act. It seems odd to me that today is the first time I have heard this of Mr Lacey Sr. Here in the states the only lion act I can think of is McMillan...so I guess he can be "foremost" here. On second thought, Marcan has trained lions and is still working so lets give that title to him....lol
Enough Tiger and Lion talk...Othmar.. Lets talk Ice-Fishin...are you familiar with a "Beaver Dam Tip-up?" ...and if so ..whats your opinion of them....I enjoy your site ....
Best Jim Z (Fellow Ice Fisherman)
Casey,
I should think Wolfgang Holtzmeir would be as deserving of that title as anyone. "Lion King" is like "America's own." Just lucky enough to have a movie of that name to make it extra catchy. I remember when Eye of the Tiger became a hit. 8 out of 10 acts used it whether they had tigers, lions, or leopards. At least it was better the Born Free, which was played for every "kiss 0 death" in the business.
Wade
Can you give some examples of tricks that Mr. Holzmair had in his act?
Thomas
Jim Z go to my website and contact me by email or on the blog comments and I"ll be glad to give you my opinion about Beaver Dam Tip-ups or any other fishing and deer hunting question you may have. ;)
I am glad you like my websites and blogs.
-ov-
Thomas
I know the close for Wolfgangs act in the early 1970's was to walk the ring with a male lion draped around his neck. I saw this myself and will never forget it. I've seen photos of him with a female around his neck, but I remember vividly him carrying a male, I saw this when i was about 6 or 7 years old.
I also have an old program that shows one of the nock's riding a bike across a highwire over/above the lion cage as wolfgang performed his act. I seem to remember reading somewhere that he once fell into the cage and Wolfgang saved him, but I'm not really sure about that.
Wade, have you ever heard about this?
Has anyone ever heard of Terrell Jacobs?
I seem to remember he had an act that featured 40 lions at one point and called himself "The Lion King". I have a replica of a poster touting his act.
Not sure what the act packed in quality but it certainly would have held it's own in quantity.
Vincent
Vincent,
Thanks for the info about Wolfgang this is what I know about Terell Jacobs:
He first worked for the American Circus Corp. In the beginning of his career later the corporation was sold to Ringling. He left to perform with other shows and returned to Ringling (1938 and 1939) In 1940 he bought the lion act and started booking indepently playing at Hamid’s steel Pier in Atlantic circy, and then presented a circus on the Conklin Shows in Canada. In 1943 he signed a contract with the new Gilbert Bros. Circus which only lasted a short while and he moved to the World of Mirth Shows. In 1944 he opened his own circus in Peru, Indiana but that was only for a short time. He was also at Austin Bros and Arthur Bros. in 1946. At the Royal American Show in 1949 as World Greatest Wild animal trainer. 1951 and 1952 at James E. Strates Shows and at Al G. Kelly and Miller Bros. Circus in 1954 in 1955 he returened to Canada at the World’s Finest Shows later he oparated a small school show and he died in 1957. He has presented lions, tigers and black panther. I read somewhere that he presented 52 animals in the ring at one time but don’t know or it’s true. He also had some elephants… His star lioness was called “Sheba” and in his act he had a pyramid, male lion lay down, roll over with a lioness, high wire walk with Sheba, He also had a tiger called Big Duke.
Thomas
Thomas,
Wolfgangs act was one of the "fastest, wildest" lioness act's you have ever seen. Lioness's running all around from both directions, jumping between pedestals, pyramid, laydown, etc. Because of Ringlings pull up net cage he could not do a cage run, but kept it lightning fast without it. And yes, the lion shoulder carry at the end.
Wade
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