Monday, May 16, 2011

1937 Barnes-Floto Program (From Buckles)


05-15-2011 11;44;46AM, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

"In 1972 Mr. Nelson and Parley came down to the Miller-Johnson lot and we had a great visit.
Quite a gentleman, I wish I could have gotten to know him better."
Buckles

Posted by Buckles at 5/16/2011 06:10:00 AM

2 comments:

Ross said...

Hey, Buckles! Thought I'd share some pics from the Ringling Blue Unit in Columbus, OH this past weekend. They played 7 shows over four days, with attendance ranging from busy to sold out. This was the most impressive RBBB show I've seen in years. The animals looked great, the costuming was much improved over past editions, and the energy level of each and every performer was astounding (especially for the 3rd show on Saturday!). This was also the first circus for my 14 month old daughter. She had a blast! Love the blog, keep up the good work. Link to the pics: http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll119/rossmusick/Circus%20in%20Columbus/231000_10150193998360849_598735848_7492841_8002352_n.jpg

16 May, 2011 17:42
Ole Whitey said...

I believe Bert Nelson came from a vaudeville background rather than circus like most of the old trainers. I know he played Nashville with one lioness- I believe called Princess Pat.

When Clyde Beatty left Hagenbeck-Wallace to go with the new Cole show in 1935, Nelson got Beatty's old act. Then when HW did not go out in 1936 he was moved over to Barnes, which of course went out the next year as Barnes-Sells-Floto.

Does anyone know how he made the leap from working one lioness on a vaudeville stage to a big arena act like this? I have never known how this was accomplished.

16 May, 2011 18:05

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