The advertising sheet below, reminds me of years of training acts for John Cuneo. He would hand me a hand written list(I have kept every one he gave me), normally on a sheet of legal pad paper as they were long and he could write a lot of stuff, LOL, of exactly what it was he wanted the animals to do in the act, in what order he wanted them to do it, where each animal would sit, etc. etc. as well as when he wanted the presenter to "style." He would list it, after a trick as "presenter takes a call." As you were training the act, and he was "helping" he would often times ask, "why didn't you take a call after that trick?" I would grit my teeth and tell him, "because we are in the barn, there is no audience here, and I an just training the damn act, not selling it." LOL Often times the "script" was written before the animals were even located or chosen. If you suggested that "so and so couldn't do what it was he wanted them to do", he would suggest back, "nonsense, such and such animal did it 10 years ago, so it will not be a problem for this one!!!" You just shook your head, strapped on the meat pouch, and got busy. Years later I was rather grateful for his "insistence" as I learned so much more about animal training, not being given an "option/choice." John Cuneo loves circus life and animal training, in a way only he understands, like nobody you will ever meet.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Pat Jamison and the Hawthorn Wild Animal Fantasy
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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Your recollections of John Cuneo's training admonitions were most interesting, since we have been seeing his assorted acts for almost a half-century, including those at the Palisades Park tent circus, where we first encountered Cuneo personally. Upon learning of his shutttering the Hawthorn Corp., as recently announced, we phone interviewed him for our "Tanbark Topics" column due to appear in the January-February, 2011 issue of THE WHITE TOPS. It proved most enlightening, as he has experienced a storied, one-of-a-kind career. Thanks for your great effort of providing many memorable photos of long-ago Hawthorn features. -- Bill Hall
Bill,
Even bet I have more recollections then most folks, probably the exception being Herta. LOL As stated, John has a unique love for the circus and animal training, that only he understands. Knowing the history, inconceivable to anyone else. More myth, legend, speculation, and supposition has never been attached to any one man or an organization, in the history of circus, most by folks whom never even met him. Hawthorn was half my life, Bill. I would sure love to have a copy of that story you mention. Is it able to be downloaded.
Thank you,
Wade
That issue of magazine is due out shortly. Get me an address & we'll gladly mail you a copy. You mail advise thru my e-mai: Billhallevents@verizon.net. Thanks! -- Bill Hall
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