Friday, May 02, 2008

"Master of the Jungle Killers" #3


img005, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Posted by Buckles at 5/02/2008 06:48:00 AM

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can understand the feelings of people in regard to Beatty that never saw him perform. Certainly the Gun, Chair and cracking of the whip that was part of his act would seem repulsive. But again, they never saw him perform and his persona was that of defense and not offensively goading them. They were after him and it was dangerous and hard to imagine that he entered that den of fury on a daily basis. Plus, he got them to do some tricks that made it even more remarkable. If he would have done a number of sophisticated tricks it would have destroyed the whole image. A barrel roll, jumping tiger back and forth over a hurdle, a roll over tiger, spinning tiger, all lions laying down together after alot of roaring and bickering amon themselves and jumping at him. The wild exit of the lions from the cage and then one or sometimes two chasing him from the arena into the "safety cage". He made good use of the safety cage beginning of his act and the finale. Dramatic presentation? yes. Dangerous? I believe it certainly was. Audience reaction? He was accorded the same cheers and applause that other noted daredevils of the sporting world, etc. receive. He looked and acted the part. Probably right out of Central Casting. These are my own impressions and am sure others have their thoughts as well. I believe GGW also presented a little dramatic effect of it being dangerous by his quick movements and the tigers snarling, roring back at him and reaching out and he could duck back just at the right time. He sensed that the public liked that danger element as well. He always presented a fast paced act. They were both master showmen in that type of presentation. A little wild and wooly persona. Great showbiz.

02 May, 2008 10:05
Anonymous said...

Very nicely described, Johnny, and your description was so good that I began to hear the music of "The Big Cage" in the background!

I think Taba on the red show presents of good mixture of tricks, humor, and just a little of the old time snarling danger. He's a fine showmen who connects well with the audience. And a nice family, too!

Dick Flint
Baltimore

02 May, 2008 13:55
Anonymous said...

You hit it on the nail, Johnny. The whole point of the act was DEFENSE -- these wild beasts were out to get him and, damn it, he wasn't going to let them.

Although Gunther surely used his share of the cats snarling and pawing at him, his act was always interlaced with some beautiful tricks that showed off the grace and power of the animals. Somehow that particular, cage persona worked for Gunther. As you said, "beauty tricks" would have spoiled Clyde Beatty's whole aura.

Both were masters of what they did. Both were a joy to watch because you knew you were in the presence of the best in the business.

02 May, 2008 15:05
Anonymous said...

It feels good to comment on this blog after a number of days of trying to defend myself from increasingly unflattering remarks as to my character, abilities and realize that its a no win situation on what is supposed to be a "No spin zone". Too bad. We allenjoy all the bullshit from alot of "SHOWBUMS" and "GOOD GUYS AND GALS" in the field and am well aware of trying to work in mud. roks. gravel. clay, blacktop etc., but with it and for it cause tomorrow might be better. Or trying to get a location that is not in"the Donicker". Guess I was a sucker, but it was a great ride. Incidentally I have not forgot our impromtu bullshit jackpot at the infamous "Wooly Bully" bar. Seems like show bums hang out in similar places. A side note. We refer to them as "Towners". Carnies like to call them "Marks" and we all belly up to a "live one" Just a small lesson from an intellectual "Show Bum". Never heard of "Townies". Sounds like a "First of May" crack.Lucio Cristiani had a favorite joke. In the dentists chair as the dentist pushed the reclining button and opened up the guys mouth. The guy reached down and put his hand right up into the dentists crotch. At which time the dentist said "What in hell are you doing?". And the guy replied, "Let's not hurt each other"

02 May, 2008 17:02
Casey McCoy Cainan said...

I have to apologize to Mr. Herriot, though it was probably inevitable Wade would have created a blog at some point, by creating it for him I somehow feel responsible. Sort of like handing a hand grenade to a spider monkey and sending him into showfolks. Please know the views of that author do not necessarily reflect the views of myself, or the other authors. Though I do not always agree with things you may say, I don't see the point in dragging it on day after day. It in no way resembles a constructive debate, as I thought was the point of the blog.
My apologies,
Casey

02 May, 2008 18:21
Anonymous said...

HeeHaHeehee...Yo Pony-Boy..don't get too comfortable!...HeehaHeeHee...HIGH an DRY! Need a Ballplayer!!!...HeeHa Hee Hee!.......Bobo Burck

02 May, 2008 19:15
Anonymous said...

Casey....I tend to lean toward Mr.Burcks comments in that Clyde was a star in his "Day"..WHEN the circus was in its Hey-day! Yet GGW's gave the Circus a "Boost" (Along with Cliff Vargas) when the Circus was in Rapid Decline from that "Hey-Day"....Now that GGW (and Cliff) are Gone....Who's going to give it a "Boost" today??? or is it finaly headed to its final resting place????...Just wondering.........Jim Zajicek (Just my opinion...Right or wrong)

02 May, 2008 19:39
Anonymous said...

Johnny,

Your expertise, professionalism and knowledge are honored and cetainly unquestioned by me and, I believe, the vast majority of participants in Buckles' wonderful Blog.
(Damn, we wouldn't be having this conversation without it!)

I am/was a mere press agent and circus writer. You, Buckles and others who talked the talk and walked the walk have taught me so much on this Blog which I have tried to absorb and learn from. You guys have worked in mud and rocks and searing asphalt. I haven't. (Well, maybe a few times in and out with Cliff Vargas but not the day-to-day grind.) Often wonder if I should keep commenting or become a "lurker" and keep my mouth shut. I ain't exactly "circus royalty."

Wish I was more of a "showbum" than I turned out to be.

But, with it and for it, too. Always was and always will be.

02 May, 2008 19:40
Wade G. Burck said...

Johnny,
The questions you raised are still there waiting to be answered, in a quest for a constructive debate.
Thank you. And I apologize for the name of Buckles Blog. That wasn't my idea, or anyboby else's. We just agreed to agree. It was changed 2 days ago. Again my apologizes.
Wade Burck

02 May, 2008 19:42
Wade G. Burck said...

Addendum,
And the expression is a "chimp with a hand grenade", that's how it was told.
Wade Burck

02 May, 2008 19:44
Casey McCoy Cainan said...

Zych I agree with that statement as well. I am not sure there is a "boost" to be given today. I think the last "boost" came 10 years ago when Cirque was in it's prime and still fresh. The circus maybe riding on a slow train going already, maybe it has since the 80's. I wish I could give it a "boost" but I doubt it will ever happen. As far as who was better, I don't know that it matters. In Beatty's day the vast majority wanted to see a guy fighting for his life, and he was the best. In GGW's day, the thrill of that was wearing off, and the crowd expected trained animals, not jungle killers, he was the best. I might even suggest neither could have worked in the others prime. Zych, if you know of a "boost" to be had, please do tell...

Never one to not except responsibility for my actions. I created the name for Mr. Woodcock's blog on "NO SPIN ZONE" due to the many censored comments. I apologize. I now understand why many of the comments are censored, and see that is needed to keep the temperament of the blog somewhat civil. This was rude and without class, as I really do appreciate this blog and what it stands for.

02 May, 2008 20:17
Bob Cline said...

Mr. Ryan,
On the opening banner of this wonderful blog it simply states this is for the discussion of Circus history around the world. No where does it say for performers only or "circus Royalty" as was mentioned. We all worked it, loved it, watched it, promoted it, built it, enjoyed it, cleaned it, painted it, moved it, and sometimes maybe even hated it just for a minute or two.

Please by all means continue to add your inciteful views. You aren't the only one learning about circus history day after day after day. We are learning from you as well!

Like you said, "May all your Days, be Circus Days!"

Bob

02 May, 2008 20:33
Anonymous said...

In the immortal words of George Burns, "Goodnight Gracie."

(goes to the pie car for a last coffee then fades into the night.)

02 May, 2008 20:41
Wade G. Burck said...

Buckles,
That wasn't my idea, or anyboby else's. We just agreed to agree. Was miswritten, I meant to say, "that wasn't my idea, or Jim Z's or Ben Trumble. We just agreed to agree."
Wade Burck

02 May, 2008 21:09
24-HOUR-MAN said...

I don't know if anyone else thinks this statement from the book "The World's Rim" applies to this debate or not, but I fall back on it in a lot of situations of differences of opinion.

"The world which all men know cannot reveal itself in full to any one man, or to any one people; for each thinking life, and each manful people gain something of it's meaning which is revealed to none other.
So that a full human understanding must be collectively built up from the best experiences of ALL men and ALL peoples"!

02 May, 2008 21:51

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