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Thursday, November 01, 2007
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35 comments:
What show were you and your dad on and what date?
I believe that this is the first photo of you and your father on the blog? Didn't know you were that much taller than him also?
I was 18 when this was taken on the Kelly-Miller lot in 1953, we were laying off there for a few days between fair dates.
Earlier that year I had taken the D.R. Miller "crash course" in truck driving and was now the driver and worked props for my folks elephant act.
On this occasion they were one man short for the 5-ring single elephant display and Logan asked me to work "Barbara" in one end. I was outfitted with a Chevrolet jacket and cap and someone handed me this pole. Up till then I had been a candy butcher by trade and this was my first appearance in the ring.
Fortunately "Barbara" was a good worker and everything went OK but
the next day she realized she had a chump and things went down hill in a hurry.
My dad made me go in and practice with her between shows and the improvement was immediate, no doubt she was unaware that all the yelling was directed at me.
A few days later we were back on the fair route.
This photo reminds me of a barber shop in So. Beloit. IL. It was called "Dad and Lad" Looks to me that your mother bought your pants the same way my mother bought mine - to grow into.
Buckles, I think I took that same "crash course" at the Mlller truck academy. When I went to pick up Obert, Kelly, and Tracy, D.R. told me to take the truck by the tent. When I opened the door, it had a passenger seat, and an old bull tub for a drivers seat. The drivers windshield was also gone. When I went and told D.R. about my "safety concerns", he told me the tub was bolted down, don't worry, and there should be a pair of safety goggle's in the cab some place, so you don't get bug's in your eyes driving in the night time. I opted to rent a U-Haul, (hell, I was young. What did I know) loaded the 3 babies inside, and ran the chains through the ring's that were conviently attached to the walls, and headed to Denver, Colo. Memory serves me, it cost Howard Seuse $1686.00 to replace the damaged interior of the U-Haul. I never would have thought that a young male with only 4 inch tusks could rip every ring out of the wall, and poke that many hole's in a truck. Wade Burck
Buckles, many elephant men over the years have tried to copy your "way of working". Only one, Jim Zajicek, copied your wardrobe. Yes, he to wear's white sock's with his tuxedo. I guess it was a real easy assignment for Don Foote to spiff you up. Wade Burck
In those days Levis were not pre-shrunk, so we bought them like that and after the first wash they fit real good.
Wade, back in '72, I had at the old World of Animals in Mesquite, Tx. 3 male asians and one african female who were and became.........
"Doc"=Buckles "Hugo", "George" ,"Tarzan"=Rex's "Gardner" and "Konti"= Buckles" Bonnie". When the 18 wheeler came with the Ringling Winter QTS Security driver, he was loaded with office equipment and Mattel products for the butchers on the shows. He didn't have alot of space in the back but the driver put in some deadmen in the floors and I loaded her up for the trip to Fla. As the truck pulled out she was already pokin holes through the walls!I heard when the rig made it to Winter QTS all the stuff close to her was ruined! When they came for Doc=Hugo I loaded him and George face to face and told the driver whatever he did ,"Do not go in with him!" He didn't make it 5 miles down the road and Hugo had busted the side door wide open. Jewell New and I drove to him and we wrapped chains completely around the trailer to keep the door shut. Driver made it to the truckstop in Dallas and Hugo nailed him when he went in with him! Tarzan=Gardner actually rode to California in a stock trailer like a good boy. Didn't hear any stories of his trip?
Buckles, I always liked your choice in hats...Would it be possible to reveal where you purchased the blue with red band hats you outfitted your Vargas crew with?...I have searched online for years and can't seem to find them....(I would like to outfit my ticket sellers in them)...Sincerely Jim Zajicek P.S. please ignore James C. Halls potential comments on the subject of hats.....
Last night I visited a wharehouse in Tampa to veiw a collecton of Circus and Carnival items (100's)... on a wall was hung 5 headpieces..1 in particular caught my eye...it had a solid Gold triangle with a gold cross above it...does anyone have any info on this Headpiece? I will try to get a picture of it when I return to Tampa....Jim Zajicek
Hey Mr.Jim
I cant believe you do not know where Buckles gets those hats?
It's apparent you use the same tailor
That old adage a photo is worth a thousands words.
Recalling the many things Buckles has wiseley repeted that his dad had said in regards to Elephants,
Also Mr.D.R.Miller mention to me being very beholding to Bill Sr. for his Wisdom.
And Smokey Jones aways said
Bill Sr.found it a lot better to do such and such when it came to elephants.But never the less it is quite apparent by looking at this photo back than. When it came to his young-un it's just possible Bill Sr. like the rest of us had no amenity in regards to the many Cross's one must bare?
To Wade Burck - where did you start your circus career?
Col. Herriott, Do you still have that old dictionary? What the hell did James C. Hall just poste? It appears that Plato is attempting to out shine Socrates, with his brilliant new vocabulary. Damn James C. Hall, stick to donniker, redlight, cherry pie, straw house, etc. You are going to give yourself a headache, wandering around out there in the realm of the unknown. You need to get something booked. You have been at home too long. I trust your lovely daughter (in spite of her upbringing) will arrive home safe. Should make bear practice easier for Tepa, having competent assistance. Wade Burck
To John Goodall, I have spent the last 32 years trying to get my career started. Keep running into bumps. Will let you know when it does take off. Just kidding, my friend. Would love to speak with you. The old number I have for you doesn't work. Give me a call. (81) 678-0285 Wade Burck
Career?
Wade Burck?
I never thought I'd see all those words in the same sentence.
HADI, HADI, HO
Hey Curator, I belive the head piece with the cross you mention may have been used by his holiness, Pope John the Jr. and the Sacred Five. I also remember a head covering with a "big red jewel" in front. Ask James C. Hall, he think's he know's all about that elephant stuff. Wade Burck
Jim- When we opened in San Diego with Vargas we arrived a few days early so I took off for a Mall to see if I could find some work clothes for the bull men and have them decorated a bit.
I was told of a place nearby that made uniforms for policemen, firemen, etc.
I decided on blue outfits and having brought everyones measurements I had the uniform hats, epaulets and trousers trimmed in red.
As I recall, the cost was quite reasonable.
Hey Zych,,, I think the "Bowlers" are good for the ticket box. As far as Mr Burckes career, well, let me know if it ever gets going, he tries so hard, but he isn't nice enough, and we all know how important that is. And Mr. Hall sure knows alot about alot, sometimes, when you don't wan't him to know it.
I told my Mother she could poste on this blog just like everybody else, just as long as she didn't weasel out and sign Anonoymous. She comes up with "we'll see you in Evansville". Real funny, Mom. You're quite the jokester. Your loving son, Wade Burck
Casey, Eureka!!! You may be right. Maybe I wasted 32 years by not placing more importance on the "congeniality factor". I have no excuse for not realizing it's importance, and should have known better. My father, who was a hospital administrator,was giving a retirement dinner for one of the doctor's. In discussing, with other board member's, this Dr's. contribution's to the medical field and his craft as a whole, the best they could come up with, was that he was a hell of a golfer. Because I was young, I didn't realize I had missed out on a valuable "Building a Career Lesson". Trust me, the past year, I have realized my folly, and hope you do not make the same error. Thank you for bringing it to my attention, you tiger trainer wanna-be moron. Wade Burck
Geeze Wade,, the "Tiger Trainer Wanna-be MORON" is a little harsh don't you think. I understand you are wound a little tight with your "one date a year" coming up fast. Good Luck with it,,,,and remember it's all about Congeniality.
Speaking of Evansville and Hadi Hadi Ho, just got word that Dr. Josip Marcan has made arrangement's for an ambulance to pull the tiger cages in and out of the building. That way it will be close by if needed. Wade Burck
Hey Casey
Sounds like Wade is in need of a couple of new photos of "Gunther"?
P.S.Goodall
If you will look at some old programs from Clyde Bros. You might find an old photo of Wade working his first cat act in the circus. He however had an alias back than and was better known as,
"The Larry"
Calm down Wade, are you off your medication again. I'm on your side buddy.
It looks like I'm one of the few friends you got left, hadi hadi ho!
Wade, don't forget to turn back your clock tonight. Got to go tinkle with my timex. And calm downalready.
All roads lead to Evansville!!!!!!!!!
As we read the Classic Comedy Comments here on the blog reminds me of Jimmy Durante's line, "Everybody wants to get in on de act".
" Who is the straight man and who is the comic.?"
James C. Hall, Gunther!!!!! Don't you dare take his name in vain. I had the opportunity to see Jim Zajicek work in Oshgosh earlier this summer, and am ashamed to admit, I was so spell bound, I had almost forgotten GGW. Thank's for reminding me. Also please, refresh my memory. WHEN IN THE HELL DID I PUT YOU ON THE PAYROLL AS MY PUBLICIST/BIOGRAPHER!!! Friend's who need's them. Wade Burck
Wade Burck Fan Club, this is a real nice gesture, and I appreciate the sentiment, Adam. Reality is you are my son, we are family, and you HAVE to be my friend. As you "integrate", more and more, with your future family, you will realize, as I have, that friend's aren't worth a damn. Your Pops, Wade Burck
Anonymous, Thank's for responding. We had a bet going on how many postes, before we flushed a weasel out(my mother and my son's weak attempt's don't count.) I didn't think it would take 26. You must be a lot busier then we are. Wade Burck
Does this comment mean that Wade is going to medical school instead of getting a real job washing dishes at the local Pizza Hut???
I aint Adam
Iaint Eve
I aint event the snake.
I am just an admirer of your work. Anf I think you are taking all this ribbing pretty good. Dont let those donniker cleaners get under your hat.
go get them wade.
Wade Burck Fan club, Yeah right. Nice try, Adam. If you think 3 hind leg tigers was something, wait until you try this new extra cheeze pizza, with 32 pepperoni in the shape of a star(one for each year). Now that's something you can really admire. Man up son, because I just raised the bar up on you. Good luck, Pops
Is this ribbing or an assult to get Wade worked up over nothing? He should consider the source! He's possibly right about the friends in the business though. He needs to remember his friends are the tigers and his family his love. Or is that the tigers his love and his family his friends! Whatever, something like that.
Funny though, when you guys get together, you are all having a good time. It'll all unfold in Evansville, it's all good!
Anonymous, Get with it. Nobody is worked up over anything. We are relaxing, letting off steam, before we head into Big Ethel(different then Big Bertha), North America's Largest and Finest Shrine Date(or at least what is left), to hang it out there, and put it all on the line. Come up with a name, and you can play too. Geez's. To think I have been told I take it too serious!!! Wade Burck
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