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Sunday, February 19, 2006
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17 comments:
This photo is from Jules first time at the St. Louis Zoo from the early 40s to the mid 50s. He returned in 1962 until 1969 and I worked with him near the end. He was in his late 70s when I was around him, still a great trainer but with a few quirks. He would wear bolo ties, as pictured here. In the lion act he'd do the "head in the mouth" with a lion on the floor. The lion was a good animal but during one show Jules forgot to tuck the tie down his shirt, the lion felt the strings on his throat and gagged biting Jules on his bald head. It wasn't a bad bite but bled like crazy -- people in the audience were getting woozy at the sight of the old, bloody trainer but Jules finished the act. He also would dye the sawdust for the floor with green food coloring. One day he though his trademark beret could be more colorful so he soaked it in the food coloring and let it dry. However during the show he began to perspire and the green dye began to run down his face. By the end he looked like a character from the "Wizard of Oz."
He was a great influence to be around (except for decorating). Around his animals every day, always working on some new tricks, and offering tips and encouragement.
A Lion in a Kings Costume.
It just keeps getting better !
Please - Please - Please ;
Keep em commen !
Bud,
If you think the king costume is good, Jules also did "the world's largest snapping turtle". A lion would crawl into a giant paper- mache turtle shell and drag it across the arena snapping and snarling all the way. I only saw the trick with the prop in photos but later Jules had another lion trained to crawl and snap.
Mr Jacot was the perfect trainer for Zoos. His training took real skill and hard work. He actually had cats doing something besides slap at a chair and growl. The cats did more them set up on a pedistal and growl. His feats were not fast enough as most circus producers wanted you in/out of the arena as fast as you could move. Just showing up in the arena was good enough for them. A lot of really good trainers got over looked for this reason. Eloise was one of them.
Jim ;
At the time, I thought I was in the thick of it at Circus World with Jewell New taking a large male Lion on a Motorcycle with him.
Having also been mostly empressed by the 1 Ring European Circus and there Styles and Creative Influences, I found Col. Trevor Bale an encyclopedia of unusual tales. For me Col. Trevor Bale had the old World Style and Spirit it seams Jules Jacot had. They stimulate and nurish the other people around them in a positive creative manor. Your story is very enlightening !
Thank you for the responce !
From Eric:
In the early 1950's CASTLE FILMS released two short subjects for the home movie market. CARNIVAL AT THE ZOO featured the St. Louis Zoo's lion act with Jules Jacot. CIRCUS AT THE ZOO featured the chimp act. OFFICIAL FILMS, another home movie outfit put out a St. Louis zoo film that featured the elephant act. I think the title was ZOO WHO. View-Master also put out 3 stereo (3D) reels during the early 1950's: one with the lion act, one with the elephant act and one with the chimp act. Wow!
Eric
Anyone who had the opportunity to see the St. Louis Zoo shows in the early 50s viewed them at their peak. Jules was working 14 or more lions along with a few tigers and sometimes two bears. Floyd Smith had five elephants that did a number of old vaudeville skits very well. Mike Kostial worked 15 or so chimps, some 12 to 13 years old, and finished with them performing on four ponies. Director Geo. Vierheller loved the shows, especially the chimps, and really supported and promoted them.
Times changed, Vierheller retired in 1961, I replaced (used the same space as)Jules in 1970 with my sea lions, Mike died in 1976, and the elephant show closed in 1991. My few sea lions were a pretty good act but nothing like the good old days. Maybe like RBBB with 22 elephants and two big cage acts compared to the new Ken and Nicole Show.
Thanks for the tip about the films. I know Jim Clubb was looking for film of Jules.
Kenneth was the Lion Jewel rode the motorcycle with. Kenneth was a very lazy lion and would ride on or in anything. I had a Chevy Blazer back at CW and sometimes Jewel and I would load Kenneth in it and drive around away from the park. Kenneth would sit in the passengers seat and people would be shocked when we drove by them with him head sticking out the window!
Garyhill;
Do you recall the names of 2 lion cubs 1977 ?
I’ve been told that Kenneth once went to HoJo’s but it must have been before my time because I wasn’t there. I remember how Kenneth would talk back when spoken to, really I'm not lyin'.
Jim Ragona once told me that he originally got his job as Ringmaster thru the trades and had no idea what a job like that should pay and just signed the contract that was offered.
As time went by he learned that he had undersold himself.
When it came conract time again he told Kenny that he was due a raise and Kenny agreed. When Jim went to the office he was surprised to see the contract was already filled out except the signatures.
Kenny said for Jim to enter the figure he wanted and sign, which he did, then Kenny did the same.
Jim was delighted until he glanced down at Kenny,s signature and it said "Not in your wildest fuckin' dreams!'.
Bud, the youngest cat we had was named Murphy, after of course, Murphy James at CW. He had his own routine with Jewell, as he was the next to the last cat to exit the cage,before Jewell and Kenneth rode the bike. Murphy created his own tricks as he mostly would just rub up againest Jewell like a housecat. He actually didn't want to leave the cage, Jewell would try to drag him by the tail. Every once and a while he would knock Jewell off his feet and lay on his legs pinning him down. Jewell had bad knees from football days and he wore a brace under his costumes. At the Garden he had Jewell pinned for quite awhile and for the first time actually rolled back towards Jewell's head and tried to grab his head when I stepped into the cage and got his attention so Jewell could get up. The band and Charley Baumann were getting worried. The last cat Jewell had was one he named after me.
Hea Gary;
Ah yes now I remember the name Murphy, who I'll corectly say young Lion ( rather than cub )and I also recall your story of Murphy & Jewell. You all sure kept thoes Lions looking good - that was a fine Presentation.
Thanks - Bud
Hello,
I love reading all of the posts, that are put on here. I have some photos of Jules Jacot, working his cats in the cat barn at The Kelly Farm. Thanks for the stories. I will copy them and put them with the photos. Buckles were can I send photos?
At one point all the lions started loosing their manes due to a parasite of some kind. Dr. Dinnes, a very good friend and our vet from when we were at the park in Texas came out from Calif. to doctor our cats. He and Dr. Henderson were great friends also. Anyway he brought this solution of lime and sulphur, it smelled like rotten eggs and we spraided it on them daily. Their manes all grew back.
Jewell's opening trick was the "head in the mouth". He used a cat named Soloman and when he would pull his face out there would be a wad of spit from Solomanon his nose. Jewell said that Soloman would lick his nose and we ALL know Jewell had a nose on him! God Rest his Soul! I had to steal that from "Larry the Cable Guy" Lord I apologise!
Either to BUCKLESW@tampabay.rr.com
or 1614 33rd St. SE
Ruskin, Fl. 33570
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