Thursday, October 19, 2006

More ladies of the steel arena #3


Kathleen Marcan with the Beatty-Cole Circus in 1992.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

This young lady answered an ad in the Daytona Beach Newspaper for a "Tiger Trainer Assistant" for trainer Josip Marcan. After only 4 years as a tiger groom, her ability with the tigers was exceptional. Josip created this 2nd act for her to present on Beatty - Cole, while he took the #1 group to Europe in 1991 & 1992.

Her Name ia really Kathleen Umstead, but for the show, Josip's last name was tacked on. Those were the only years she presented the act, however she later worked in the Beatty - Cole show office wagon.

Bob Cline said...

I saw Kathleen work the act several times over the years she had it. She always did a nice job.


Unfortunately, There isn't a place to post this except among the ladies of the steel arena photos but another lady that did a terrific act was Helen Carpenter. I saw her on Roller Bros. Circus back in the 1980's. She had a mixed act and that grabbed my attention immediately. She had a jaguar in the act that she could actually pat on the shoulders. That was the most impressive thing I ever saw in my life. After being around cats for 17 or 18 years, I've seen a bunch, but being able to have physical contact with a jaguar, that was pretty special to me.
Bob

Anonymous said...

To Bob Cline:

There are more Ladies of the Steel Arena photos being sent to Buckles. I do not have a photo of Helen Carpenter, but if you do, forward it to Buckles, and he can file it away and add it to the collection for future use.

Bob Cline said...

Jim,
Bill Strong sent me one today that is far better than any I have. He also sent it to Buckles. It is fabulous.
Bob

Anonymous said...

Bob Cline, I had two Jags in the leopard act. The last two down the seats. They are not in any of these pictures shown. No one even noticed the difference. I named them Nyzam and Sultan. Very nice animals. never heard a peep out of either one of them. They came to this county covered with urine burns and were a pitiful site to see. Lots of care pulled them through and they were beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Did anyone notice the tiger with two tails?

Anonymous said...

Come on, The poor cat had an accident in the ring. You were not supposed to notice. Her depends failed her.