Tuesday, July 31, 2012

From Jerry Digney #1

!cid_image001_jpg@01CD6B61 by bucklesw1
!cid_image001_jpg@01CD6B61, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Boston Garden, 1960s, interesting shot of elephant in ring; RBBB always played indoors at Boston right after NYC—some years, they played 5 or 6 days, other times 10-12 days. Many years ago, while still in tents, RBBB used to slightly beef up program in NYC and Boston—I think Clyde Beatty—for instance—only played these spots for Ringling and some aerial thrill act would also be booked for indoors only.

From Jerry Digney #2

!cid_image002_jpg@01CD6B61 by bucklesw1
!cid_image002_jpg@01CD6B61, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Our pal Henry, 1981 (111th Ed.)—looking good!

From Jerry Digney #3

!cid_image003_jpg@01CD6B61 by bucklesw1
!cid_image003_jpg@01CD6B61, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

JRN and Harold Ronk at Venice, 1962, during rehearsals. Barstow lettered director’s chair rests between them.

From Jerry Digney #4

!cid_image004_jpg@01CD6B61 by bucklesw1
!cid_image004_jpg@01CD6B61, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

AP Photo, 1995, Beatty Cole backyard picket line.

From Jerry Digney #5

!cid_image005_jpg@01CD6B61 by bucklesw1
!cid_image005_jpg@01CD6B61, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

1950s (mid?)—as a promo I think RBBB toured a baby elephant in front of the show, and this was the unit. Who ran it?

From Jerry Digney #6

!cid_image006_jpg@01CD6B61 by bucklesw1
!cid_image006_jpg@01CD6B61, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Ethel Jennier (Joyce), 1964, RBBB—I never knew she worked seals on Ringling; of course her ex Walter was a famous seal trainer & daughter Joanne worked seals, too—when I worked with her and ex husband Jack on RBBB, she worked ponies and/or llamas I think and, at her age, still a believable-looking show girl!

From Jerry Digney #7

!cid_image007_jpg@01CD6B61 by bucklesw1
!cid_image007_jpg@01CD6B61, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Rogana, 1969, Boston Garden—she returned in 1970 to the Garden as part of the 1970 100th Anniv. RBBB Blue show. No one ever looked better or could sell an act like she did—wonderful! I believe her and husband Frank Foster left RBBB after 1970 tour for indy dates, Circus Vargas, etc.; she started with sisters in a rolling globe act—later Cyril Mills created the props for her now famous sword balancing act which debuted 50 years ago!

From Jerry Digney #8

!cid_image008_jpg@01CD6B61 by bucklesw1
!cid_image008_jpg@01CD6B61, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

RBBB TV special taping 1983 St. Pete (St. Pete Times)—note added lights, audience positioned all on one side. Boxer Sugar Ray Leonard hosted. By the 1990s, the TV specials were over.

From Jerry Digney #9

!cid_image009_jpg@01CD6B61 by bucklesw1
!cid_image009_jpg@01CD6B61, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Elephant Herd, Detroit, 1963—nice!

From Jerry Digney #10

!cid_image010_jpg@01CD6B61 by bucklesw1
!cid_image010_jpg@01CD6B61, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

An unusually relaxed JRN 1957 Venice with Albert White, Jackie LeClaire—this shot was popularly used to accompany JRN’s newspaper obit in 1985.

From Jerry Digney #11

!cid_image011_jpg@01CD6B61 by bucklesw1
!cid_image011_jpg@01CD6B61, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

The Zacchini Sisters, I never knew they existed--1958, Madison Sq. Garden. AP did a series of 8 shots of the act with accompanying long caption. Walter Patterson and his wife took over act on RBBB in early 60s(?) and a Zacchini (Emmanuel, Jr. aka “Lally”) act was back on RBBB in 1970—an accident in Jacksonville sidelined Lally’s wife.

From Jerry Digney #12

!cid_image012_jpg@01CD6B61 by bucklesw1
!cid_image012_jpg@01CD6B61, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Monday, July 30, 2012

From Paul Gutheil

IMG_3652 by bucklesw1
IMG_3652, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

BUCKLES: I GOT A BIG KICK OUT OF GOOD FRIEND DAVE PRICE'S THE QUEENS
ARRIVING AT THE OLYMPICS,
BUT I'VE ALWAYS PREFERRED BEING UNDER THE BIG TOP,

1976 Davenport FL #1 (From Buckles)

07-29-2012 04;06;39PM by bucklesw1
07-29-2012 04;06;39PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.
There has been some chatter about African elephant runaways at Circus World while we were there.
I can honestly say that I don't recall any elephant, African or Asian actually running away, maybe it's all in the eyes of the beholder.
As Rex Williams used to say, "It doesn't qualify as a runaway until it gets completely out of sight."
On the other hand, we kept the herd on an outdoor picket line the majority of the time, as seen above and one getting loose wasn't unusual at all, as the case of "Bonnie" who one night ventilated the small trailer in the background at right.

This set of pictures was taken by Bob Tomer May 28, 1976.

1976 Davenport, FL #2

07-29-2012 04;03;33PM by bucklesw1
07-29-2012 04;03;33PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

The front of the elephant barn was open to the public but the elephants spent their nights out in the sand, a lot better than sleeping on concrete and being only on a front leg chain allowed them to walk around.

1976 Davenport FL #3

07-29-2012 04;01;26PM by bucklesw1
07-29-2012 04;01;26PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.
The view from my front porch which was arranged by design despite arguments from the park management who didn't approve of people living on the grounds.
This way I could be on hand if a problem arose and once I pulled that off, I managed to get a few more people in.

1976 Davenport FL #4

07-29-2012 03;59;21PM by bucklesw1
07-29-2012 03;59;21PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

This picture brings me back to my senses, it's been four months since they started on Shannon's home next door and despite numerous inspections by County and State Officials, the FBI, NRA, EPA and the ACLU they still havn't been allowed to move in.
It's now just a matter of TECO turning on the fuckin' electricity which some cavalier AH predicted will happen within five working days.

1976 Davenport. FL #5

07-29-2012 03;57;12PM by bucklesw1
07-29-2012 03;57;12PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.
"Reed", "Major" and "Josky".
In the background are Trevor Bale's horse stables and Mike Aria's bear cage.

1976 Davenport, FL #6

07-29-2012 03;54;44PM by bucklesw1
07-29-2012 03;54;44PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Interior of the horse training facility.

1976 Davenport, FL #7

07-29-2012 03;51;43PM by bucklesw1
07-29-2012 03;51;43PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.
"Anna May" and Gary Jacobson going someplace.
When we left the park we moved this mobile home to our property in Ruskin which was home until we built our house in 1984.

1976 Davenport, FL #8

07-29-2012 03;49;39PM by bucklesw1
07-29-2012 03;49;39PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Friends Bob and Mary Kaye Hoppe visiting this day.
Under the watchful eye of my dog Clarence.

1976 Davenport, FL #9

07-29-2012 03;47;43PM by bucklesw1
07-29-2012 03;47;43PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

A vehicle that needs no introduction.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

From Dave Price

HRH by bucklesw1
HRH, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Elephant Capture #1 (From Eric Beheim)

Elephant%20Capture-1 by bucklesw1
Elephant%20Capture-1, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

From time to time, someone will mention the elephant domestication stations operated by the Belgian Government in the Congo, where African elephants were trained to do useful work. The September 1938 issue of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC has an article by Lawrence and Margaret Thaw, who stopped off at the elephant domestication station at Gangara na Bodio while on a trek through Africa to obtain photos and motion picture footage. At the time, the station had some 60 trained elephants available for purchase or for rent, and would capture and train 12 to 15 new animals a year. The Thaws arrived during the middle of the hunting season and got to go out on an expedition and film one of the captures.

Elephant Capture #2

Elephant%20Capture-2 by bucklesw1
Elephant%20Capture-2, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

The expedition’s supplies and equipment were transported in heavy covered wagons pulled by teams of elephants. (These elephants appear to me to be smaller and a different breed from the big African elephants that were recently discussed on this blog.)

Elephant Capture #3

Elephant%20Capture-3 by bucklesw1
Elephant%20Capture-3, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

While fording a river, a 6-elephant hitch was required the pull this wagon across to the other side.

Elephant Capture #4

Elephant%20Capture-4 by bucklesw1
Elephant%20Capture-4, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

The trained elephants were also used to “break trail” and remove any obstacles in the expedition’s path.

Elephant Capture #5

Elephant%20Capture-5 by bucklesw1
Elephant%20Capture-5, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Rather than using the Frank Buck method of herding the wild elephants into a stockade, captures were made “on the run” using stout ropes.

Elephant Capture #6

Elephant%20Capture-6 by bucklesw1
Elephant%20Capture-6, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

After a herd was sighted and an elephant selected for capture, the herd was stampeded. In the confusion, a member of the team would move in and get a rope around the chosen elephant’s leg.

Elephant Capture #7

Elephant%20Capture-7 by bucklesw1
Elephant%20Capture-7, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

The rope was then made fast to a tree. The gentleman on horseback is probably Captain Pierre Offermann, the Belgian Army officer who was in charge of the expedition the Thaws went out on. While filming this capture, the Thaws obtained footage of him galloping his horse in among the stampeding elephants. (Now THAT was a brave man and a well-trained horse!)

Elephant Capture #8

Elephant%20Capture-8 by bucklesw1
Elephant%20Capture-8, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Dodging trunk and tusks, members of the team would move in to get more ropes around the elephant’s legs.

Elephant Capture #9

Elephant%20Capture-9 by bucklesw1
Elephant%20Capture-9, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

The elephant was shown snapping ropes and uprooting the trees it had been tied to.

Elephant Capture #10

Elephant%20Capture-10 by bucklesw1
Elephant%20Capture-10, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Additional ropes had to be looped around the elephant's legs and made fast to to trees.

Elephant Capture #11

Elephant%20Capture-11 by bucklesw1
Elephant%20Capture-11, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

This went on until the elephant was overtaken by fatigue.

Elephant Capture #12

Elephant%20Capture-12 by bucklesw1
Elephant%20Capture-12, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Once the elephant stopped putting up a determined resistance . . .

Elephant Capture #13

Elephant%20Capture-13 by bucklesw1
Elephant%20Capture-13, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

. . . trained monitor elephants were brought in.

Elephant Capture #14

Elephant%20Capture-14 by bucklesw1
Elephant%20Capture-14, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

With the monitor elephants in position . . .

Elephant Capture #15

Elephant%20Capture-15 by bucklesw1
Elephant%20Capture-15, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

. . . the wild elephant was tied to them to complete the capture.

Elephant Capture #16

Elephant%20Capture-16 by bucklesw1
Elephant%20Capture-16, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

With the new captive in tow, the expedition then returned to the station. (All of these images are frame enlargements from a 1-reel short subject released by Castle Films in the early 1940s under the title WILD ELEPHANT ROUNDUP.) It is my understanding that the Belgian Government’s elephant domestication stations have not been in operation for many years. If you have more information about them, your sharing it with the rest of us will be greatly appreciated.

Another Big Elephant! (From Wayne Jackson)

Tantor%2082%20001 by bucklesw1
Tantor%2082%20001, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

G’day Buckles,

The attached is the young African bull that I was fortunate to have looked after for a while, the photo was taken in the spring of ’82. He sired four female calves from ’80-’84 and the first calf was the first Elephant born in Canada and the fourth African born in North America! Unfortunately after a knockdown to remove an infected tusk that lasted longer than everyone had hope, he died. He would have been heavier, but was under so much stress from the infection that he lost a lot of weight! When I looked after him in ’81-’82, he was 9 ft. tall and weighed approximately 4 tons! He was great to work with until his first musth and then as so many, he changed!



Tantor- African male

-Born- 1969

-Origin- East Africa

-Arrived at the Metro Toronto Zoo in July, 1974

-Sired four female calves

-Died at 20 years of age, August 2, 1989.

-Weighed approximately 11,300 pounds and stood around 11 foot 2 inches

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Another big gentleman! (From Gary Hill)

Capt this is Rip that is at Great Adventure. He is the only male out of 6 I had there. This photo was in Aug of 09 and I stand 6 foot..I would age him at 40 to 42 yrs old. He was the largest male I brought back. Richard the second largest was sent to Japan in the 80's I believe.. I am sure he has grown some since 09?

From Buckles

27DRAGONS_SPAN-articleLarge by bucklesw1
27DRAGONS_SPAN-articleLarge, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.
Speaking of large animals, I just received this photo of the updated dragon on the Blue Show.
Now that's more like it!

More on Coop & Lent #1 (From Paul Gutheil)

BUCKLES: ATTACHED ARE 2 OF MY SET OF COOP & LENTS THAT I SCANNED IN SOME
TIME AGO, HOPE I DDIN'T ALREADY SEND THEM IN THE PAST.

More on Coop & Lent #2

coop%20and%20lent%20lot by bucklesw1
coop%20and%20lent%20lot, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Wild Pony Swim #1 (From Chic Silber)

70707170 by bucklesw1
70707170, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

This wild pony swim is a big deal in coastal Virginia each summer

CHINCOTEAGUE VIRGINIA - As tens of thousands of spectators looked on

approximately 140 ponies made the 87th annual swim at Chincoteague in Virginia

The crossing between Assateague Island and Chincoteague Island

is under the care & supervision of the local volunteer fire department

Each year ponies are auctioned to raise money for the fire company

This year's auction will be held today with 67 foals on the auction block

Ponies that are not sold and those donated back to the fire department

will roam free another year on the national wildlife refuge on Assateague Island

Wild Pony Swim #2

70707183 by bucklesw1
70707183, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Wild Pony Swim #3

70707108 by bucklesw1
70707108, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Wild Pony Swim #4

70706925 by bucklesw1
70706925, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Wild Pony Swim #5

70661614 by bucklesw1
70661614, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

From Peter Rosa #1

Hi Buckles

I hope all is well with you and Barbara. Here are a couple of photos I thought you might like. I found them on facebook