 Paul Binder was the guest of honor at the annual Circus Fans banquet in Atlanta last Monday. After his prepared remarks, he took questions from the floor. At one point, he was asked to describe the greatest acts that had appeared over the last twenty nine years at Big Apple Circus. He initially declined, saying that there had been so many that were outstanding that it would be difficult to single any one of them out. After thinking a moment, however, he relented and said, that, yes indeed, there are some that stand out in his mind. Kris Kremo is his favorite juggler, the Alexis Brothers the greatest hand to hand balancing act, Roby Gasser and his sea lions the best novelty act and the Flying Gaonas the best flying act. After a pause, he then said, "but, the greatest circus performer that I have ever worked with was Anna May." I concur. All the best. Don  |
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
"Anna May"
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7 comments:
Lets give the late great circus artist Ray Dirgo from Bridgeport, CT. credit for the Anna May piece of art....What great memories visiting on Big Apple Circus back in the days of Buckles,Barbara and Anna May.....Thank You.
There is no question that Anna May was the greatest.
one more Anna May trivia Fact..
On the cover of AT LARGE, by Gary Ross ,the story of Murray Hill.
The BIG APPLE CIRCUS tent is in the back ground,Anna May is standing on a Bull Tub,and as I remember it, Murray has on Buckles jacket,as they did not feel he dressed as a elephant man that day.
It was a pleasure to roll her tub in and out of the ring, and would happly follow with a shovel and a smile.
Adam Spencer presently in Barcelona,Spain
I don't see what you mean about "ANNA MAY" being on Murrays book. My copy does not even show an elephant tub on the cover.
Due to the thoughtful generosity of Buckles, my first elephant ride was upon Anna May, as an introduction for the Jungleland Fighting Lions act, on Uncle Sid Kellner's James Bros. Circus. If my archiving is astute, it was at the Arden Fair Shopping Center, Sacramento, California, at the 4 pm matinee, on Friday, September 27, 1968. This was the second time I took the lions out of the Compound, and Buckles and Anna May made the date indelible. At the risk of being maudlin, I pray when I approach the Pearly Gates, it will be on Anna May, who awaits us all, and St. Peter will whistle in Spec.
High praise from Binder...not known for his generosity with it..I sure do agree.
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