Friday, December 26, 2008

Ursula Bottcher #2


Ursula Bottcher.11, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.


When the "Highlights Of The Ringling Brothers Circus" would air on television each Spring, we would tape the show. The 110th Edition, was hosted by Michael Landon and I think it was the only time the show was ninety minutes long. Our oldest son, who was three at the time, would watch the show every day while he played. Watching the video as often as he did, our son could rattle off the names of all of Ms. Bottcher's Polar Bears. The Polar Bears were named... Spitzbergen, Nixe, Oslo, Norda, Narvik, ! Jury, Grouland, Muffel, Neptune, and Alaska.

If you look closely at the first picture, the gentleman standing outside the cage looks like Gunther Gebel-Williams. The picture was supposed to have been taken during a rehearsal session.

Posted by Buckles at 12/26/2008 06:09:00 AM

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Not sure who but that isn't

Gunther outside the arena

Red went out before Blue

Chic

26 December, 2008 11:47
Anonymous said...

It is Gunther, him and I helped Ursula a lot when she arrived in Venice. She had a lot of trouble with the small transport cages and refused to take the Bears on the road unless she could take her big Cages along.
After Ringling she went back to Germany and a few Years later her Partner, cant think of his name anymore, got attacked in practice and died in the ring. Ursula was trying to break in a act with Kodiak Bears,something nobody ever attempted because of the aggressive behavior of this particular bread of Bears. After the accident she quit this act and continued with the Polar Bears.

26 December, 2008 12:44
Wade G. Burck said...

Henry and Chic,
I was told that the permanent cages/beast wagons with no undercarriage that were attached to the chain link permanent arena we Ursula's that the bears were brought over in. Nobody used the cages much, except for when Charley retired his tigers were kept in them for a time. Isn't it a shame all the great one's that used that arena, and it was moved to Venice beach to be used as a Pelican cage.
Wade

26 December, 2008 13:02
Wade G. Burck said...

Henry,
His name as has been mentioned was Manfred Horn. I have told the story in the past, but when I was in Stuttgart delivering some new tigers to Krone, Ursula came to visit the show, and invited me to the winter quarters of Busch-Roland I believe to see the new Kodiak act that she and Manfred were working on. Arrangements were made to go later in the week, when I had some free time, and within a couple of day's Manfred had been killed, and the visit was canceled. Tragic.
Wade Burck

26 December, 2008 13:07
Anonymous said...

Sorry Henry I stand corrected

I thought you both were on the

road allready that year when

Ursula was practicing (and Frank

Perry got in big trouble for a

dreadful remark he made to her)

I knew that you were great help

when she first arrived

By the way Happy New Year to all

Chic

26 December, 2008 17:25
Anonymous said...

Hi Henry

After looking at the photos of

Uschi again I can see Gunther

in photo #1 but in photo #2 it

looks more like Camel John and

who's memorial I attended just

last week at Showfolks

Chic

26 December, 2008 17:50
Wade G. Burck said...

Henry,
The "hand hold" that is on the bears back for Ursula to steady herself, did it attach with a belt underneath. I remember it just being set on, but that can't be right. How would it stay in place.
Thank you,
Wade Burck

26 December, 2008 19:47
Anonymous said...

Wade ;
Yes the Hand Hold was wishbone like & just sliped snuggly over the Shoulder Blades .
That was an interesting piece of equiptment .
They realy seamed to have EVERYTHING worked out to Perfection & any fluxuation was NOT Tollerated !

There Pristine White Fluffy Hair & Gracefull Body & Motions is misleading in that they are always Opertune , Very Courious , Sceaming & Cunning BEASTS .

That is how it was put out to Me .
Ursula put on a Great Show making it all look Fun , Gentle & Charming . Manfred was Serious , Strong & kept the Seated Bears in Line between moving thoes Big Props effortlessly . Michael was a Backup outside the cage to supply & assist Manfreds every move . There Every Act was Pricese , Identical & Enchanting in 1978 .

27 December, 2008 10:09
Anonymous said...

Hi Wade

If you look at the photo again

you will see one of the legs on

the back of the "saddle" and that

the bear has his hind legs on a

short platform

Chic

27 December, 2008 10:34
Wade G. Burck said...

Chic,
I would assume the leg/foot stand was so she could get off quick, and the short pedestals were to keep the bear there, in one spot. Without bringing it up, and causing a hey rube, I think we have learned that Manfreds/the second person's role in a two person type of cage act is never really appreciated. With the greatest respect for Ursula, "cute and charming" will make the front page, long before useful. LOL
Wade Burck
Wade Burck

27 December, 2008 14:15
Anonymous said...

Yes Wade
Yes Wade

Not the 1st or last time that

the responsible party goes on

without recognition or reward

She was attractive in the ring

but not really "cute" nor was

she "charming"

Chic

27 December, 2008 17:13

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