Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Gerald Soules


Scan11339, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Posted by Buckles at 2/17/2009 05:57:00 AM

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is actually Gerard Soules who later had a dress poodle act and even his own show called Circus Girard at one point, with a different spelling than his first name. Gerard was murdered in Las Vegas while appearing at Circus Circus and the villain is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole in a Nevada penitentiary to this day.
Neil Cockerline
Minneapolis, MN

17 February, 2009 15:04
Anonymous said...

I remember visiting Circus Girard in Michigan with Wayne Franzen in 1979...what a pretty show...sadly 2 weeks later it closed...

17 February, 2009 18:46
Anonymous said...

As an odd note to Gerard's career, his long-time partner, Caesar, died, and Gerry transported the body in his car across numerous state lines to take it to its final resting place.

I was visiting the Ringling show in Dallas, when Caesar was trying to learn slack wire. Gerry proved he couldn't do the act by falling off consistently, but raged at Caesar throughout every practice. He became so bellicose that Dean McMillan, Tuffy Genders, and Harold Ronk all intervened when Gerry's rants carried all across the building. Caesar was shaken by these relentless torments, but Gerry never let up, even when told by his bosses to do so. It was quite a demonstration.

The man convicted of Gerry's murder was described as a homeless guy whom Gerry picked up as a dog boy for his act. As reported in the press, one night this man savagely bludgeoned Gerry to death. The killer may have gotten just punishment for murder most foul, but one wonders if Gerry's temperament finally descended on just the wrong type of man.

17 February, 2009 19:50
Mike Naughton said...

One of the most ridiculous displays in the history of circus was this masterpiece:

Clowns and Gerard Soules chimp...I kid you not...it was a big outdoor quasi spectacular.

Yes, a clown gag in one ring and the chimp working alone on a stage.

Explained the booker, the chimp isn't strong enough to work by itself so an attempt is being made to fill out the display.

Said chimp took off and ran up the hi-act rigging.

I'm saving the rest for my book.

17 February, 2009 23:20
CIRCUS HISTORY said...

I posted a couple of the poodle de paree act on the haroldvoise.blogspot.com for viewing ...just new as of nov 2015. enjoy all.

23 November, 2015 18:50

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