| At left, Cole Bros. Circus owner Johnny Pugh. |
Monday, June 02, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Contributors
Recent Comments
Retirement Fund
Favorite Links
- Circus Historical Society
- Circus News
- Circus Fans Association of America
- Showfolks of Sarasota
- Arkansas Elephant Sanctuary
- Jim's "All My Days are Circus Days"
- Pat Cashin's Clown Alley
- Bill Strong's Yesterday's Towns
- Circus Links
- Circus Model Builders
- Magic Gallery
- Tim Perkins Blog
- Trumble's Carson & Barnes Blog
- Dick Dykes
- Wade G Burck
- Chuck Mayo
- The Circus Blog
- Jackie LeClaire
Subscribe
Blog Archive
- March 2023 (15)
- February 2022 (5)
- November 2021 (33)
- October 2021 (3)
- September 2021 (61)
- August 2021 (37)
- May 2021 (39)
- April 2021 (10)
- March 2021 (17)
- February 2021 (103)
- January 2021 (137)
- December 2020 (21)
- November 2020 (76)
- October 2020 (151)
- September 2020 (73)
- August 2020 (65)
- July 2020 (181)
- June 2020 (174)
- May 2020 (225)
- April 2020 (181)
- March 2020 (124)
- February 2020 (221)
- December 2019 (36)
- November 2019 (77)
- October 2019 (166)
- September 2019 (146)
- August 2019 (62)
- July 2019 (250)
- June 2019 (238)
- May 2019 (311)
- April 2019 (355)
- March 2019 (367)
- February 2019 (313)
- January 2019 (373)
- December 2018 (377)
- November 2018 (348)
- October 2018 (378)
- September 2018 (381)
- August 2018 (542)
- July 2018 (514)
- June 2018 (153)
- May 2018 (4)
- April 2018 (3)
- March 2018 (110)
- February 2018 (296)
- January 2018 (590)
- December 2017 (569)
- November 2017 (587)
- October 2017 (565)
- September 2017 (405)
- August 2017 (509)
- July 2017 (575)
- June 2017 (558)
- May 2017 (653)
- April 2017 (562)
- March 2017 (507)
- February 2017 (451)
- January 2017 (516)
- December 2016 (367)
- November 2016 (479)
- October 2016 (449)
- September 2016 (517)
- August 2016 (427)
- July 2016 (400)
- June 2016 (360)
- May 2016 (272)
- April 2016 (374)
- March 2016 (481)
- February 2016 (405)
- January 2016 (429)
- December 2015 (240)
- November 2015 (381)
- October 2015 (477)
- September 2015 (461)
- August 2015 (427)
- July 2015 (463)
- June 2015 (421)
- May 2015 (350)
- April 2015 (416)
- March 2015 (467)
- February 2015 (441)
- January 2015 (460)
- December 2014 (408)
- November 2014 (379)
- October 2014 (416)
- September 2014 (378)
- August 2014 (413)
- July 2014 (414)
- June 2014 (482)
- May 2014 (429)
- April 2014 (367)
- March 2014 (458)
- February 2014 (406)
- January 2014 (390)
- December 2013 (508)
- November 2013 (353)
- October 2013 (423)
- September 2013 (468)
- August 2013 (536)
- July 2013 (490)
- June 2013 (447)
- May 2013 (411)
- April 2013 (401)
- March 2013 (407)
- February 2013 (372)
- January 2013 (432)
- December 2012 (413)
- November 2012 (388)
- October 2012 (398)
- September 2012 (376)
- August 2012 (387)
- July 2012 (382)
- June 2012 (351)
- May 2012 (356)
- April 2012 (367)
- March 2012 (351)
- February 2012 (336)
- January 2012 (410)
- December 2011 (393)
- November 2011 (283)
- October 2011 (333)
- September 2011 (363)
- August 2011 (356)
- July 2011 (336)
- June 2011 (363)
- May 2011 (351)
- April 2011 (324)
- March 2011 (327)
- February 2011 (253)
- January 2011 (368)
- December 2010 (359)
- November 2010 (315)
- October 2010 (342)
- September 2010 (345)
- August 2010 (352)
- July 2010 (344)
- June 2010 (335)
- May 2010 (338)
- April 2010 (321)
- March 2010 (369)
- February 2010 (318)
- January 2010 (338)
- December 2009 (358)
- November 2009 (338)
- October 2009 (354)
- September 2009 (368)
- August 2009 (354)
- July 2009 (401)
- June 2009 (403)
- May 2009 (375)
- April 2009 (346)
- March 2009 (406)
- February 2009 (341)
- January 2009 (353)
- December 2008 (351)
- November 2008 (362)
- October 2008 (391)
- September 2008 (375)
- August 2008 (382)
- July 2008 (324)
- June 2008 (349)
- May 2008 (375)
- April 2008 (383)
- March 2008 (369)
- February 2008 (426)
- January 2008 (457)
- December 2007 (360)
- November 2007 (369)
- October 2007 (359)
- September 2007 (361)
- August 2007 (370)
- July 2007 (341)
- June 2007 (307)
- May 2007 (298)
- April 2007 (391)
- March 2007 (374)
- February 2007 (326)
- January 2007 (385)
- December 2006 (343)
- November 2006 (252)
- October 2006 (213)
- September 2006 (174)
- August 2006 (180)
- July 2006 (176)
- June 2006 (155)
- May 2006 (178)
- April 2006 (170)
- March 2006 (149)
- February 2006 (134)
- January 2006 (154)
- December 2005 (135)
- November 2005 (137)
- October 2005 (113)
- September 2005 (100)
- August 2005 (102)
- July 2005 (103)
- June 2005 (43)
25 comments:
Neat photos! Since Mr. Pugh wasn't the owner back the, who provided the elephants?
Bob
I received these pictures from Mr. Pugh by way of Frank Murray, the show's only Computer Geek.
I immediately fired back such questions as, "What European circus was Mr. Pugh with that provided the elephants?"
"How long were they on location?", etc.
With no elephant rides in New York, Frank should have time to annoy Johnny with these questions.
Seem to remember reading in a film history book that Cleopatra was shot mostly in Italy and Spain, with interiors and the original set for Alexandria filmed in London. A little bit of post production was shot in California and Egypt. Good chance the elephants would have been shot on location in Europe.
What a great set of pictures!
Bob Kitto
I was always led to understand that the elephants were supplied by the British, Chipperfield's Circus. There's a photo similar to one of these in the book, Chipperfield's Circus - a pictorial history by David Jamieson.
That's obviously not Elizabeth Taylor on the elephant and I don't recall any scenes with an elephant in the movie, which I think was filmed in Rome.
I was wondering about that myself.
I didn't see it when it was released and since it runs 4 hours, I only caught it piece meal on TV. No where near as entertaining as the previous DeMille "Cleopatra" or "Caesar and Cleopatra" with Claude Rains and Vivian Leigh.
Due to the problems faced during production including Mz Taylor's illness, replacement of Directors, editing and reediting, it's easy to assume the elephant footage was cut.
Rex Harrison and Roddy McDowell had the best parts.
Wouldn't an Egyptian Queen feel more at home on an African tusker?
Here's a link to the review o the three disc box set -- including reference to the elephants. (There was an elephant related injury on the set.) It seems the original running time was five hours, and it was released at four hours. For television it was probably hacked down to two or three hours.
http://monsterhunter.coldfusionvideo.com/Cleopatra.html
Maybe some movies don't need bulls. I for one would be delighted if the producers of Water Fot Elephants decide that they can take a mediocre book and make a good film if they just leave out the part about evil animal trainers abusing poor defenseless 8000 pound puppies.
The elephants were indeed Chipperfield's. They sent 5 to Rome and Dick Chipperfield Snr. went with them. The elephant pictured is Mary. She was one of the first 8 elephants bought from Ceylon in 1947. She was probably one of the best elephants I ever had any dealings with. She was originally trained by Wensel Kossmeyer, as were the others.
She was about 6 years old when she arrived and was partially trained in the logging camp, where they got her from. She died in - I think - 1978 or '79.
The elephant scenes were cut and the film was a "turkey"!
CLEOPATRA was the worst flop 20th Century-Fox had to deal with in decades. It destroyed at least two marriages, and its endless scandals bringing the worst of the world's attention to Rome, eventually brought a rebuke from Pope Paul VI himself. CLEOPATRA brought the studio to its knees. The great salvation was supposed to be DR. DOLITTLE, the inane animal-based musical brought to ruin by the costly demands of an excessively recalcitrant Rex Harrison, easily the most disliked person on the lot. Jungleland had the ex for the animals, and for the 12 weeks I had on that picture, I witnessed daily his repetitive petty tanrums. Samantha Eggar, whom I've had the pleasure of talking with subsequently, told me her best reaction to Rex was to avoid him altogether. Anthony Newley was livid over Harrison's behaviour, and on at least one occasion some of us thought he was going to make good on his intent to "snap Rex's scrawny craw." Rex drove director Richard Fleischer to distraction, and the only one who would have anything to do with him was the kindly, ever-gentle Richard Attenborough. The cost overruns gave producer Arthur P. Jacobs (known as APJAC)a heart attack, and Fox had to sell off their impressive back lot to survive. This property is now Century City,the high-end, high-rise complex once the home of Ronald Reagan's post-White House offices. The studio gamely staggered back to solvency, but these two films nearly shuttered the storied old lot on West Pico Boulevard.
I'm grateful they didn't. Fox was my first major studio to work in, back in 1966. When part of your life is squandered in Waco, Texas, you never think you'll see the inside of a studio, much less get paid for being there. No matter what your capacity, once you're on the lot, you are fairly free to look around as you please, and I took the time to become very familiar with the layout. I still consider it as my old stomping grounds, and I've been privileged to return there many times.
Roger Smith
I think Cleopatra was a fantastic film, although I know it was a financial failure, it's still a classic. They must have replaced the scenes with the elephants with the ones of Cleopatra entering Rome on a giant sphinx. I don't think that an Egyptian queen would have been more at home on an African elephant. The Carthaginians, including Hannibal, who were Africans, used Indian elephants, and also elephant handlers from India, as well as African forest elephants. These pictures are great. I recall that Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor used to be dinner guests of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
PS: I read that after Elizabeth Taylor recieved the papal rebuke crowds of Romans cheared her to show their support. They evidently felt the pope should have minded his own business.
I think I will rent the movie on the way home. Have you seen the HBO series "Rome"? I've been watching it on the History Channel and they've just gotten to the part where Marc Antony begins his affaire with Cleopatra.
To Roger Smith,
You probably don't remember me, but I spent 2 separate weeks playin in the band with Boom Boom in 1964 and I certainly remember you. I hope that you are recording all of the stories that you have about various circuses and your various other adventures. It would make a great history and would probably be enjoyed by many of us who are not able to tell all of the stories that happened. Incidentally, I drove Banjo to the next town in 1964 when we were in Indiana and his stories were unbelievable.
Bob Kitto
Whoever you are anonymous, you might recall the Vatican is a city-state within Rome, and Paul VI was minding the store when he requested the disgraceful conduct of the lead actors be brought under some semblance of control. Would you not do the same for your town?
As for the cheers coming to Liz and Dick, never fail to realize you will always find those of similar bent to cheer such people.
TO BOB KITTO: Bob, what did you play in the band? I'm trying to remember. Boom sometimes had visiting musicians join out. You must know the guy who had the black Side Show band, who went by Jelly Roll Rogers--I don't know if he was the original or not, but he often sat in with the band. He didn't have music for his horn, and Tommy Napoli explained that he transposed the notes in front of him to his own playing, which is the mark of a master musician. Few can do it.
As for recording my memories, to be frank, I have never felt that many people care about my time on shows. My son does. He wants it all down, but I can't get a feel of whether anyone else particularly gives a hoot. When you have walking encyclopedias like Buckles and Johnny Herriott, any audience I would have pales incomparison to theirs.
Roger Smith
Roger, you sure have alot of History yourself, and I know I enjoy all your posts! Keep them coming!
Yes I was aware that the Vatican is a "city-state within Rome." I'm not sure what that has to do with anything. Mussolini gave the Vatican it's sovereignty. That is part of his legacy. As I said the Pope should have minded his own business. Would I want the same for my town? Not on your life !
Reminds me of the time Biller Bros. Circus missed it's third pay day and Joe Rossi told his girlfriend "Pearl-a! Pearl-a! Pack-a the suitcase! The band she's-a blow">
Again to Bob Kitto: On the Beatty show, I got to know everyone and their job, and immediately recognized that all of us workingmen, as on all canvas shows, literally worked our butts off. That brought me to notice that Banjo didn't do a damn thing but hang around and keep a running card game going with the boys. He never lifted a finger to help move the show. This was intriguing to say the least. One day I asked Tommy Napoli, "Tommy, exactly what does Banjo do around here?" He shot me a silencing side glance and whispered, "There are things you don't want to know. Banjo is a necessary evil." I never asked again, but when I visited Hoover over there, in San Antonio, in 1970, lo and behold, there sat Banjo, still playing cards. He greeted me and shook hands, never taking his eyes off the card game. So Bob, if you will, give us Banjo's stories, and answer a question remaining with me to this day--who the hell WAS Banjo?
Roger Smith
Roger,
I played 2nd trumpet with Ramon, Tommy and Bubba played 1st trumpet at that time. Had dark hair and a crew cut and drove a 61 New Yorker.
As to Mr. Contratta (aka known as Banjo Eyes) when he started as a fly-weight fighter in New York, he told me that he then worked for Dutch Schultz for a number of years. In the Gumpertz era on the big one, Gumpertz tried to hire him to clean out all the seperate groups running games and causing trouble around the show. He told Gumperetz that he would pay him 10 grand and would take care of all the problems, which he did, ending up with a shooting in the train yards as the show left Cleveland. Banjo took care of the police on the next day and had a very sucessful career there.
In Indiana, a couple of times he said that he didn't need a ride because there was a big game in town and he would see me in a day or two.
Bob Kitto
PS Ask Tommy what his dad told him about Banjo.
To Bob Kitto: I certainly remember Bubba Voss. Very nice guy. I never knew Banjo's name was Contratta--Tommy told me not to ask anything more, and I didn't. As I said earlier today, I knew how to keep my mouth shut. This is all news to me. I also didn't know his name was Banjo bacause of his eyes--I thought it was his face, which was small and round, and Banjo would have been an appropriate nickname. It's like when Bill Johnston told me he nicknamed most of the guys around the (true) Ringling show. One guy was totally unadorable, with misformed jaws, misaligned eyes and a bad nose, whom Bill nicknamed "Precious".
I think once before on this site, I mentioned my uncle-by-marriage was John Trenam, late of Tampa, who was a prominent tax attorney, and whose firm employed over 150 lawyers, as I was told. Jerry Collins told me (by now, the late) John saved he, Art Concello, and JRN millions in tax dollars, and I have to believe him. I only met John twice, the last time at a family re-union in our house in Waco, Texas, and indeed he was quite some guy to meet, full of personality and a born politician in a big-time way. As time went by, I came to understand that with his connections to the Florida dog tracks, as well as the circuses, that dear old Uncle Johnny was thoroughly mobbed-up. I didn't care, I liked him, and Jerry Collins took a liking to me because I was Johnny's nephew.
But to Bob Kitto: Sadly enough, I've lost track of Tommy Napoli. On the very morrow (this 6th), I'll inquire of the musicians' union and leave my phone number for him. They won't give out information of any member, and we'll see if Tommy will respond. Please God he will. I have a lot to talk over with him, and I want to hear what he has to say about Banjo. You know, we did all of this, didn't we, Bob? And the next guy worked at the shoe store and the other guy flipped hamburgers at a truck stop. We'd better salvage our memories while we can.
Roger Smith
To Anonymous-
I have never seen any reference that Hannibal used Indian elephants in his travels, only Africans. Where did you find this? I would be interested to know. Thanks.
Ryan,
I, like Anonymous, have also have read that Hannibal used Asian elephants, and their trainers, to train African forest elephants. Both kinds of elephants went over the Alps. Carthaginian coins show African elephants and Etrurian coins show Asian. Both were minted when Hannibal and his army had control of those regions.
Don Bloomer
I finally got to see this entire film recently on Turner Classic Movies. It was 4 and a half hours with no commercials and absolutely no elephants. I wonder if the elephants and the float were just used to promote the film.
Post a Comment