Thursday, September 06, 2007

To Pat White (From Sue Lenz)


Wolfgang Holzmair 101 Edition, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Wolfgang Holzmair 101 Edition

Posted by Buckles at 9/06/2007 05:51:00 AM

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wolfgang carried the lion as the 'blow off' to his act. Spartacus meets Ringling. I am glad you also showed Jimmy Briscoe doing his Wolfgang knock-off.

One day as Wolfie was parading around with the lion on his shoulders the bottom half of his costume fell off. He casually stepped out of it and finished in a pair of bright colored speed-os. Not to be out done... when the lights came up for Jimmy's spoof... he was walking down the track with his stuffed lion wearing a pair of
whitey-tighty's' I can't remember if they were stuffed or not.

06 September, 2007 12:18
Anonymous said...

Thank you, Sue! This act made such a huge impression on me. And I'll never forget the clown gag that followed!

The shoulder carry is one of the only tricks I've wanted to do, that I've been unable to. I've never had the right cat. I think I'm too old and creaky to do it now, even if I found the right one! But you never know... !

06 September, 2007 16:22
Anonymous said...

Also, could someone please tell me the exact number of lions/lionesses Mr. Holzmair had in his act during his years on Ringling? Just curious. thank you

06 September, 2007 20:41
Anonymous said...

could someone please tell me the exact number of lions/lionesses Mr. Holzmair had in his act during his years on Ringling? ....

Gobs and gobs!

07 September, 2007 11:35
Anonymous said...

When Irvin feld announced to us and the world that he was bringing over a lion act of 20 lions. It happened that he actually had 19 lions. We counted them at the time and it was no big concern. He was a fine fellow and I enjoye3d his friendship. He was very qulified in the presentation of liberty horses as well. Coming here from France he always said he was French and not German. With that name, how about that? He loved to shoot craps twenty four hours a day. The blanket was always laid out by the men's wardrobe.

07 September, 2007 16:06
Anonymous said...

Thank you, clownron. I knew it was somewhere around 'a whole bunch' ! Seriously though, I'd be interested to know. There was a picture on the blog several months ago, with 11 in the photo. But I think there were more. Maybe as many as 21? Who would know? Somebody?

07 September, 2007 16:06
Anonymous said...

Pat, I feel it was the style, presentation, costuming etc., more then the numbers of animals, that made the act so spectacular. Big powerful gladiator, lioness flying around like lightning. And that costume. Wow. Nobody has ever had the virility and charisma necessary to wear something like that since. If you don't believe me, check out the past picture of Josip Marcan. With all due respect, Doctor. Just like myself, wanting Gunther costume's, I soon realized only ONE could pull it off. I realize now, how fortunate I was to witness something like that. One of the best. Wade Burck

07 September, 2007 18:36
Anonymous said...

Hi Pat,
I checked my animal inventory for the Red Unit for 1971,73 & 75.
I have the following listed:
1971 17 in the act (probably several extras).
1973 18 in the act (1 male & 17 females) 22 total (2 males & 20 females plus several cubs)
1975 21 in the act (1 male & 20 females) 22 total same as 1973.
The number in the act would vary as you well know.
Starting in 1972 Ringling exhibited all the animals when they played the Nassau Colisum on Long Island. It was very easy to get an accurate counting of the animals. I hope this helps.
Dom Yodice

07 September, 2007 21:14
Anonymous said...

It sure does help, thank you so much for the information Mr. Herriot and Mr. Yodice. I figured someone would know!

I think Mr. Holzmair looked so good in his costume because he had nice legs for a guy! I'm kidding. I was only looking at the lions. :-)

I remember well in the early years, I really wanted to do the gladiator theme. But Kay Rosaire had several lovely jeweled gladiator costumes, and I didn't want her to think I was a copycat. Now it's over thirty years later, and I still wear whatever's handy! Just so the cats work well, that's the important thing... ! ...right?

08 September, 2007 00:26
Bob Cline said...

Pat,
What animals are in the act that you and John are working in Japan?
Bob

08 September, 2007 07:01
Anonymous said...

Bob, we've switched the act over, I'm working it myself now (but John still steps in to move the bridge. It's too awkward and heavy for me). There's six tigers, one lion, two lionesses, and a leopard in the act.

John will go back to England to practice the new act Jim Clubb has trained, at the end of the month. The acts will switch out in November.

08 September, 2007 16:19

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