Apparently a Court act, presenter unknown. The lion on the right smashed into the barrier, the Polar bear with "cage rubs" and the bear at the top with the long leash on, is about as close to "subjugation" as you will ever see. I have never seen anything like this since joining the circus in 1974, but unfortunately it is what is often referenced by the ar as what it is I do. Can anybody convince me that the heat that was directed at the circus wasn't justified, back in the day? Yet fan's will still rue the fact that "you sure don't see anything like those great Court act's anymore today?" " Thank God" is what I say. Could it be done, and done well today? Sure it could, but it would take quite a bit of time, and cost a lot of money, most importantly a producer or trainer would have to be able to support the act for a long time while it was trained. But then, where would it go, and who could afford to contract it?
What a pathetic looking group of animals. Every one seems to be shying away (is that polar bear missing an eye? - a misdirected twisted willow, perhaps?) That act looks like the kind of mess you'd see on Youtube of an Egyptian or Pakistani circus. Come to think of it, have you ever seen pictures of cage acts from the 'golden age' that made you think they had any quality about them, apart from big numbers of animals? What is one name you can think of that would compare with the good acts of the 70's and 80's as far as behavious and condition of animals?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteDon't be starting "rumors" that you can't substantiate, like a missing eye with a whip. There may be mention of that happening, rarely in "ancient biography's", but I have never seen it happen since I have been in the circus, other then being told that one of Bill Buschboms paints, later Johnny Clines, later Phillip Anthony's had been hit in the eye with a whip, although Terrell Jacobs was reputed to have only one eye, after removing his other one with a whip, and John Carroll told me he lost his eye to a bull hook.
Wade
And now to my comments on this one. Yes, I must agree this is not my favourite Alfred Court group picture, even though it cost me a lot of money! When you are researching a book you have to take the rough with the smooth. It is an unfortunate picture, but also exceptionally interesting. The date on the back of this picture is March 1946. It is a professional newspaper photo with their stamp on the back. If you note, it is not in an Alfred Court arena, but definitely a Court act. I just want to find out who the trainer is. I suspect it is Joe Walsh, but he had already left RBBB in the winter of 1944/45 to go to Benson's with the last act Court broke. In my opinion this group is a combination of what I refer to as the Schulz act and the Kovar act. Of course, the trainers changed on both these acts as time went on. The American black bear on the top of the pyramid always seemed to have this lunge on in most, but not all of the images I have. The polar bear with the rub marks is the male bear, Nanook, from the Schulz act. But I think the group mainly consists of the animals from the Kovar act, as these were the younger group that contained the Great Dane dogs.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to give too much of my research away at this stage, but if anyone thinks they know who the trainer is please get in touch.
I am also trying to find out if any of Harry and May's children are around and are willing to help with my research.
And finally my opinion is the date is wrong on the back of this photo. Remember, RBBB never had a cage act in 1946!
Jim Clubb
Jim,
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy and appreciate your insight and sharing your knowledge. Thank you. I can't imagine at the daunting task of finding information about cat acts or trainers. Elephants are an almost impossible task, and there were at least some semblance of records/list's of individuals/animals from back in the day. I have always assume it was due to the longevity of an elephant, and different folks who may have worked with them. Not much has ever been recorded for individual trained felines or horses, again assuming their shorter lifespan of 12-16 years playing a part in that.
This picture illustrates why I have always hated a pyramid. You only see the back of the presenters head in photos, and why I "flipped" Hawthorns pyramid in 1977 so you were facing the audience. :)
Jim, you have this picture because I had right of first refusal. When my meager offer was scoffed at and I was informed that Jim Clubb was interested, I folded up knowing there was no way I could afford to compete with Jim Clubb. :)
Be safe,
Wade