Monday, April 07, 2008

Sitting long mounts 1978


Scan000011059, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

From KLSDAD
(From his comments on last Saturday's Ken & Nicole performance)
A thought about rings. Yes, I realize they are needed for the hoofed artists, but not anyone else... are they? I'm enjoying the open area of the large stage..where entrances and exits are much faster. Where a black inflatable ring is present, as in the beautiful white pony liberty presentation, it's hardly noticible. And, I feel the elephant presentation gains from the open space, not having to be
"crammed" into a ring's confines. The 6-elephant lie-down/sit-up is particularly effective in the open space.

"I like it my way better"

"In those days we worked to the entire house, balconies included. On one weekend we probably surpassed the total attendance enjoyed by K&N this year in New York.
The show was framed accordingly." Buckles

Posted by Buckles at 4/07/2008 01:37:00 PM

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have to say that there is a lot of clutter in this old picture. When I saw the situp long mount on the new unit, it sure stood out to great effect (and audience delight) in the more open space though the elephants were small in size and number. Can't agree with krlsdad about the white ponies and the black inflatable ring curb, though. Hides more than half of there little legs. Its all a matter of different opinions of what we like. But I have to say that with all these changes, Ringling needs to do better at filling the open space they have created. Its just my opinion, but I wish they would keep the three ring idea alive even if only in part of the program. One ring in the big city buildings just doesn't cut it. Wide open blackness on the floor all the time is even worse.

07 April, 2008 15:22
Eric said...

I dare say that if the 138th Edition had immediately followed the 108th Edition into NYC, it would have been seen as an attempt by the Felds to use the GSOE name and reputation to scam the public.

07 April, 2008 16:52
Anonymous said...

Undoubtably you were looking at alot of "lead em around" during this terrible elephant display and when they finally did a legitimate routine you were all impressed. Give Joe Frisco some rings and he will sure do his thing with the best of them.

07 April, 2008 17:41
Anonymous said...

Where is the "clutter in this picture? You are watching the finest three ring elephant display of training and presentation and to compare this clutter, as you say to this horrible ofrfering is hard to compar5e. I thought you were watching the elephants perform. We have always had tub rollers.

07 April, 2008 17:45
Wade G. Burck said...

Gary Hill,
I am not sure. Is that "cast and Company" standing around there? As impressive as this is, Imagine it all in one long straight line, like Jim Z's beloved long mount. No arc's around the ring, no little guy's sitting up front, just a long straight line. WOW
Wade Burck

Eric,
I also don't think it is the Greatest Show on Earth any more. Not when you can reference it to past edition's. But it is still the biggest on both sides of the water, and has the best route. So maybe, BCBR is more appropriate.
Wade Burck

Johnny,
What about those Bertram Mills elephants?
Wade Burck

07 April, 2008 18:45
Anonymous said...

I think the "clutter" that is being referred to are props on the floor ( which means there are acts there)
and people on the track ( which means there is a production with a cast ) and guy wires ( which mean there is a lot going on in the air.) I think these are all things that come with a traditional circus. I seem to recall seeing these things in all those old blog photos whether in a tent or a building.
Tepa

07 April, 2008 18:46
Anonymous said...

To Wade; Your alibi to my comment was totally inadequate and I thought you could do better than that. Maybe if you trained a fantastic wild animal act to great acclaim in a 70ft square cage it would induce emprisarios to change the tent demensions. So, no excuse, come up with a better one.

07 April, 2008 19:21
Anonymous said...

Sorry about the spelling. I am lucky at this point in time to spell my own name right, so be happy I recalled Burke.

07 April, 2008 19:23
Anonymous said...

If you are watching the scenery, the play is no good. If you are watching the "clutter" in this photo, you are not only watching the wrong thing, but, from where this picture was taken, the audience would probably not see the tubs, ring curbs, guy with the poop can, etc. One more thing, do you remove the poles from the tent so the audience can see better?
Bob Kitto

07 April, 2008 19:52
Anonymous said...

Tepa,
What are you doing mucking it up with things like props and acts. We are working out the elephant and cat and horse acts right now. Wheres your husband, he should be here helping!!!!!!!
Best wishes,
Wade Burck

07 April, 2008 20:11
Jim Zajicek said...

Col. ..I forgive you for the spelling...I havnt mastered "Spell-Check" Either....It was Jelly-Beans tho? wasnt it? I was always under the impression "Sliced carrots" were way the to go...Don't worry about that mean Wade Burck...Rings go with the Circus!!!!...Like Col. Castle (Toby Tyler) said, they go together "Like Pork & Beans"....Sincerely Jim Zajicek (Fan of the Col.)

07 April, 2008 20:36
GaryHill said...

Hey Wade, all I men't was that GGW had the Spotlight and the cast and hidden help as backdrop. The first time I saw his, "by voice alone". I was impressed too. The second time I saw him, I noticed the hidden men. Prejudged as I am, the Capt's herds were just more in tune so to speak. Same for Charlies tigers and he impressed upon Jewell that each cat do each "trick/behavior" correctly. I remember watching Pablo Noel and his Lions were very correct most of the time also. Your tigers also had clean presentation! I always enjoyed seeing you!

07 April, 2008 21:41
Wade G. Burck said...

Gary,
How come you patched Noel with "correct most of the time". Thank you for you kind remarks about my acts. I only saw GGW once. I was so impressed I ran out of the Arena and got a job as guick as I could in the circus. Next time I saw him, he was running the elephants in the parking lot, and I was pulling through the gate. I was still impressed that second time, by the way.
Wade Burck

07 April, 2008 22:46
Wade G. Burck said...

Jim Z. and Gary,
Relax. I was goofing about that "voice command alone" deal. Jimmy Hall was the one told me that was for the "town suckers". Me being a "town sucker", I believed it until he tipped me off in 1976. LOL All those elephants waltzing when the light came on, was still a sharp piece of business. Of the 22 men standing by the tubs, do you know how many had hooks? 8. They were there to be "tub rollers" with the other 14 guys. Piccolo was all the help anybody needed.
Wade Burck

07 April, 2008 23:02
Jim Zajicek said...

I agree with Tepa 100%....The Hell with you Guys....Besides..Even if I didnt..I like Swedish Meatballs......Can Jimmy come out and play now?......Jim Zajicek

07 April, 2008 23:06
GaryHill said...

Wade, Pablo had that fast and furious style about him, must be that hot latin blood? His cats were so impressive in their own right. Wolfgangs had a diffent look to them, they looked like the type that one would see in the big arena in Rome! :)

08 April, 2008 08:23
Anonymous said...

go tepa
go tepa
go tepa

08 April, 2008 09:09
Wade G. Burck said...

Saraso Ta Da,
There's my good friend, pal o mine, Bu Ku, amigo.
For all you hunters/outdoors men, I want to highly recommend and endorse this new stink bait by Orvis available at Outdoor World in May. Truly phenomenal product. Orvis researchers are to be applauded.
Wade Burck

08 April, 2008 11:08
Anonymous said...

Buckles: how the heck do you keep your sanity through all this?

safely anonymous

08 April, 2008 12:31
Buckles said...

I am told that inscribed on Cap. Curtis' tombstone in Mississippi, is the following:
"After fifty years of storms, fires, blow downs, floods and train wrecks, I'm ready for anything!"

08 April, 2008 14:57
Wade G. Burck said...

Anonymous,
There are many way's to keep ones sanity, some choose anonymous.
Wade Burck

08 April, 2008 16:37

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