| The story goes that MGM had bought this Rhino for the Tarzan movies but for some reason she wasn't faring well. They went over to the Barnes Quarters for advice and Emerson pointed out what they were doing wrong, they hired him and he eventually became in charge of their Studio Zoo and even doubled for Tarzan in the rhino shots. Maybe Richard Reynolds can shed some light on this. |
Thursday, May 08, 2008
George Emerson #3
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MGM bought this female African black rhino, Mary, from Hagenbeck. The studio wanted a rhino for its upcoming 1934 Tarzan movie, “Tarzan and his Mate,” often called the greatest of all the Tarzan movies.
MGM first contacted RBBB about renting one of the two they had but Gumpertz would not do the deal so they bought one of their own. That deal was arranged in 1932. She was first sent to Benson’s place in New Hampshire, arriving there in April or May 1933. At the end of Benson’s ’33 summer season she was sent to Hollywood.
I do not know the exact circumstances but Emerson wound up breaking her for the film. I think he had been with MGM for some time.
Volney Phifer was out there as well. He gave me all these details. He said that during the winter of 1933-34 they shot thousands of feet of rhino charges which were used in “T & Mate” and two later films, Tarzan Finds a Son (1939) and Tarzan’s Secret Treasure (1941).
Though Emerson doubled for Tarzan in most of the rhino riding scenes, Weissmuller did ride her at least once.
After filming was finished in 1934, rhino Mary was sent ahead of the film for a promotion. She rode in a special truck trailer. Her keepers were Volney and Eloise Phifer. The trailer would be ballyhooed to appear at movie houses in the downtowns. It would park at the curbing in front of the theater and folks could come by to see the Tarzan rhino.
The Phifers had done this earlier with Leo the famous MGM roaring lion.
The tour took most of the summer of 1934. In the meantime, MGM sold Mary to RBBB and she was to be delivered to the show in Memphis on October 15, 1934. Gumpertz tried to put her in an old cat cage which right away broke its frame under her weight. Rhino cage no. 78 was already in use by Bill and the circus did not have another one available. I think #74 had already been turned over to the polar bears because its original occupant, rhino Lil, had died around the end of 1933.
Anyway, it was decided that the Phifers would take Mary in her truck straight to Sarasota and there await the arrival of the show.
Mary went out with RBBB in 1935 but died early in the season up in New England. She was stabbed in the side with a pitchfork by a disgruntle keeper and died as a result of the injuries. What a horrible and cruel end for a wonderful animal.
I do not know why Gumpertz did not try to work Mary into the 1935 show because she could be handled. Though rhinos are skittish, the right trainer could have made Mary a terrific hit with all the Tarzan billing behind her. Her remains were given to Yale Univ.
Rhino Mary was named by Eloise Phifer for Mary Stebbins of Si and Mary Stebbins.
The photo shown here on the blog is of Emerson and another chap which we have been unable to identify. Perhaps he was an animal man with the Barnes show?
I came across Buckles Web log during a general circus photo web search and was very interested to find a mention of Volney Phifer here. Volney was my great-uncle (my grandmother's brother). For some years I have been working on a novelized biography of Volney.
I would love to correspond or speak with Richard, Buckles or anyone else here who might have known Volney or have information about his amazing career.
BTW, given my genes, it's not surprising that I too am a performer (touring puppeteer) and animal trainer. My life is not quite as exotic as Volney's was, but I HAVE trained the world's only Goldfish Pianist:
http://www.freshwaterpearlspuppetry.com/bubbleblog/index.php?itemid=32.
Hope to hear from you folks!
Regards,
Diane Rains
http://www.freshwaterpearlspuppetry.com/
http://www.truenorthtraining.com/
I may be wrong but I do not think so, and it seems there is some confusion. It has been my understanding all along and during my time of association with George Emerson, that the very first Tarzan mOVIE OF THE LATE TWENTIES and starring a fellow by name of Elmo Lincoln as Tarzan wanted Tarzan to ride a Rhino and a young Bull Hand from the Barnes Calif. based circus did just that culminating with him getting a job with MGM and he would bring in his old Bull Hande buddy of and on for training jobs as well.I have seen the photo of Emerson in Tarzan loin clothe sitting on the Rhino. Now there could have been anotgher later Rhino [as pictured]. Now I believe if Ringling acquired a Rhino that could be handled and ridden, by all means it woukd have been in the show. Again the first Tarzan movie with Tarzan [Elmo Lincoln] is the one where I believe George doubled fo Tarzan. Would sure like to hear more about it.
The Bull Hand friend that George brought in at various periods[training the MGM-wHITBECK elephants Hap, Sally and Queen, etc.] wasw his Barnes show buddy, Slivers mMadison.
I'm so amazed to find this. George Emerson was my great uncle. I imagine my Uncle Paul Emerson or cousin Ralph Emerson may have a lot of information on Uncle George if you're interested. We also have a few pics of Uncle George. My email is: ironqueen4@gmail.com. Valerie (Emerson) D'Eon
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