Sunday, February 24, 2008

Gilbert Houcke


gilbert houcke, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

This picture from Mike Naughton speaks volumes but the final word rests with a certain well known Sarasota resident.
Buckles

Posted by Buckles at 2/24/2008 10:23:00 AM

6 comments:

Mike Naughton said...

Also visit: www.Houcke.com

A suggestion for John and Mary Ruth, take a page from the Houcke Family's web site and put your incredible history in writing.

There should be a www.Herriott.com for us and future generations.

You know how I am captivated by your stories whenever we have the chance to visit.

Just write it out, or speak into a recording device.

I'll offer to help put the page together.

24 February, 2008 10:28
Anonymous said...

SOUNDS\GREAT GO FOR IT JOHN============RAY M

24 February, 2008 15:17
Anonymous said...

mr.mike naughton.
you are absolutely right.
time is marching by so fast.
we got to have it in black and withe...definitely

24 February, 2008 15:17
Mike Naughton said...

One night at Herriotts, John, Mary Ruth and myself watched the Herriott's PRICELESS collection of videos and I listened to John's tales of the circus with uncompromising attention; I was riveted.

Now I share the next part with all due respect and I hope you can "hear" the exchange as I heard it several years ago at the ranch on Prospect.

John had just finished a fascinating recollection of circus history and there was a brief pause, Mary Ruth just began to exit the living room and Johnny said to her, "Wait, where're going?"
MR: "Johnny, I'm just going to the kitchen."
MR: confides to me as she passes in a stage whisper:
"I'm glad you're here, I've heard these stories 1000 times."

So, we've got to get as many stories as possible in writing or spoken for future circus folk to know what it was really all about.

Imagine how fascinating it would be to hear or read first hand accounts of PT Barnum, RBrothers, Rickets, etc, etc, if they had only the technology that we have today.

OK John...suggested first line...The Herriott story begins with (fill in the name)

24 February, 2008 15:51
Anonymous said...

I saw Mr Houcke on Boswell Wilkie Circus in South Africa as a kid. There was a huge publicity campaign built around bringing his tigers to South Africa and the tent was filled to capacity throughout the 3 week run in Johannesburg

HM

24 February, 2008 18:13
Anonymous said...

Col.,
I think you know how much I respect you, and you are one of my "hero's", so I am going to let your first statement go, rather then take it out of context. Mike Naughten has started a hell of of public relation's campaign for you, and you are still man enough to sign your name to your opinion. That is valuable in this world of "anonymous aide's". Just ask John Macain.
My five act of elephant's had 2 one foot stand's and three hindleg walk's and his herd of 22 had none, and Buckles trained one of mine, and some of his. What is your point?
I had a tiger and lion on an elephant, he had a tiger because he didn't have any lion's. What is your point?
He carried a leopard, and I carried a tiger, because I didn't have any leopard's. What is your point?
I was impressed by his 2 tiger hindleg walk so I made 3. I loved Charlie's 6 tiger roll over, so I made 8. Again, what is your point?
I love his Lippizan's, but was never given 18 beauties like that. I loved the routine you trained the 8 Welsh ponies to do, and copied it with 6 national show horses. What is your point?
After 33 years I was able to train a tiger to do corbett's over other tiger's. What is your point?
If my son is born into this animal training business, and is 31 does that mean he is only 2 year's behind me in learning. Is that your point?
Col., copying and emulating are to different thing's. There is a reason why there are 100's of Elvis impersonator's and only a couple of Carl Perkin's impersonator's. And Carl Perkins was a pretty damn good entertainer. I think there might be a point there?
Respectfully,
Wade Burck

P.S. If it's the blonde hair deal, I think if you are a reasonably intelligent person, you have to admit I had a better shot at him them Jimmy Hall did. LOL

25 February, 2008 00:35

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