 |
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)
26 comments:
The incomparable, Jean "Tarzan" Zerbini.
He bought Hubert Castle's show
where he had headlined for many
years & renamed it "Tarzan Zerbini Circus"
He had to legally add "Tarzan" to
his name in a court procedure to
prevent litigation from the estate
of author Edgar Rice Burroughs
He learned of that procedure from
Emelian Bouglione of Cirque d'Hiver
in Paris who had added the name
of "Buffalo Bill Cody" to his
for much the same reasons
Emelian told me that story when
I was a family guest for dinner
His father Charles Zerbini
was the Patriarch of the
large family that came to
the US from France to the
Mills Bros Circus
I was engaged to & almost
married his sister Stella
"Mimi" Zerbini but still
remain on very good terms
Her 1st 2 children from
her 1st husband Mike are
both very dear to me as
that was the closest to
my being a father
He is an incredible performer
& presenter of an exciting as
well as comedic mixed cat act
1 of my alltime favorites of
which there are very few
I did enjoy his act far more
before the addition of the
wireless mike that he overused
His voice could be heard in
every performance without it
His 3 largest cats were
big neutered male lions
Tommy his best comedian
could probably have done
an entire show on his own
Royal was another giant
but don't recall the 3rd
that had an incredible
deep throated growl that
Jean played into by his
teasing at safe distance
while staring him down
until the cat turned his
head toward the cage
A very memorable routine
His 3 tigers sat above the
entry chute very regally
until they were called upon
Rajah the male top center
flanked by Sheba & Soriah
the 2 females
(now where did I leave my keys)
My greatest thrill in watching Tarzan perform was to see him enter the Columbus, Ohio Fairgounds arena on top on Tony Diano's Tommy. The classic Tarzan yodel was broadcast and he grabbed a rope and swung across half of he arena and literally dropped into the cage with the lions already in it.
By God, if that didn't get you on the edge of your seat, nothing would. Absolutely amazing.
I witnessed that entry many
times Bob & indeed it was
the epitome of the start
of any animal presentation
Except for a closing night
in Detroit when some clever
insider coated a length of
the web with elephant shit
Made for a much faster slide
into the arena & left his
hands in nasty condition
This was some years before
he owned it (with the bank)
I may be wrong but I thought it was Tommy who "put his head in the corner." My first year contracted to Hawthorn(1976) I saw the LORD OF THE JUNGLE and the QUEEN OF THE AIR IN Dallas on the Texas Dates. White and gold Rolls Royce's, Teal, gold and white tractor/trailer's etc. about as impressive as impressive could be, pure class. As it was my 3rd year in the circus I thought this show biz is alright, and speculated on how long it would take me to have the same. Come to find out, a damn, damn long time..... Saw the Zerbinis a number of time's in later year's when they appeared at Fantasy Island in Buffalo, N.Y. and we were across the water at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Cananda. Had the pleasure of working with both Jackie and Patty with tiger's at Hawthorn in later year's. Agreed Chic an extremely talented family. On a side note, Roger Smith I believe you could share some "Mimi" stories also.........
Wade Burck
It was definitely that 3rd
big male that I can't recall
the name of that finally did
that slow turn outward Wade
Tommy the biggest did half
of Jean's performance in his
great comedy turns & repeats
I will ask Mimi when I get
home on Tuesday that name
Roger's story doesn't quite
jive with mine however Wade
Another time I'll tell the
story about competition of
customized Golden Eagle &
Silver Eagle coaches that
Jean thought he outsmarted
Elvin Bale but got skunked
That park in Grand Island
was a great summer retreat
for the entire family where
Jean set up a workshop to
create some great stuff &
the kids remember it fondly
I visited them there often
As well as Marineland and Game Farm being a great summer retreat for Hawthorn for many year's. So memorable to me as it was where I first met Charly(as well as Jenette and Elvin with their cheetahs) when he came to see the show, during a dark day for the Blue show playing Buffalo. A few year's later where Irvin Feld and Arnie came to see and sign my white tiger act for GSOE, and Don Foote and Mel came for a couple of day's to design and fit my costumes. Those years were about the best that ever were for me in the spangly, rhinestoney, world of the circus.
The first time I ever heard the song "Welcome to My World" was when Chimp trainer, Manager, Ringmaster Andrew Kirby sang it during Mimi's trapeze act. To this day when ever I hear the song I am reminded of that time so long ago.
I have a picture some place of Jackie presenting the Zerbini horse and tiger riding act(not often mentioned) at Fantasy Island and I will attempt to send it on to you should the Chinese internet co-operate. Who know's, with trade war's kicking in gear President Xi may railroad me as well........
Wade Burck
I gather from this that you are stll
a Chinese captive or are wanted back
home on unanswered parking violations
Mimi worked to "Under Paris Skies" &
"Butterfly" (or some version of that)
during our time together both during
Jimmy Harrington's Puerto Rico date
& a full season on Beatty
She almost married that electrician
Bill something but it ended badly
She then married John Whitfield but
he was soon convicted of larceny
She bailed him out & divorced him
She has been happily married to
Stan Penney for many years
They have 3 sons together
I am currently serving as liaison between Beijing and Washington during trade negotiation's. President Trump feel's that given my over 40 year's in a profession that insisted on "two or more" as guarantee of employment as well as "more week's of work, in lieu of a salary increase" more then qualified me to deal with these human rights bandit's on the other side of the world.
Given what occurred the other day in North Korea, they may need me to go to P'yŏngyang given my vast experience with "I don't care what your contract with Cuneo say's you don't have to do. My contract with Cuneo say's you will do it" negotiations.
Wade Burck
Somehow I sorta new that politics
would raise it's ugly head
I actually had an open invitation
from the head of the circus school
in Pyongyang during an engagement
I had enjoyed working with several
top notch North Korean troupes in
Lima Peru some years back
Don't have the guts to go somehow
Funny just how many folks I know
have similar stories about Mr Hawthorn
I never worked for the man but adored
his dear exwife Herta
Yes, I have the stories asked for, but mine are inclusive of darker memories that would be met here with "comment deleted".
Although we have different
recall of some past events
you are welcome to yours
I am not a deleter of the
kind of things you mention
I only ask that you think
of the 2 kids that lived
through some very difficult
times & that might be hurt
to be reminded of such
I'm only a helper here &
not the prime authority
Thanks
I've often thought the term "the other side of the story" was penned exclusively to aid in the factual jack potting of circus history. Glad to know you are well, Roger. For folk's that never saw Roger dressed for the ring in his white's and jack boot's, next to Pat Anthony he was the most "look's like Beatty" feline trainer I ever saw(although I suspect Dick Magraw was up there also, remembering the pictures Lou Regan had shown me long ago. My best to Kim also, Rog.
Wade Burck
Tht title at the top of this string
"Lions 3" reminds me of the old joke
about "what's the score"
"Lions 3 Christians Nothing"
Thanks, WADE. Nice words at a time when I'd think no one remembers.
Kim Baer is now with Harold Rode, of the Riding Rodos Family, in Tennessee. They survived the Gatlinburg fire.
Dick McGraw retired to the Carolinas, and died on May 9, 2015. He was 85.
Roger, I did not know he had passed away. Another part of this thing of our's gone. Although I never had the honor of meeting him, folk's I did have the honor of being around in the early day's like Lou, Chet, Pat etc. spoke very highly of him. Are you in touch with his son Kevin? It would sure be great to get a few picture's of him and his work. With the exception of a few St. Louis Zoo postcard's not much has ever been available. I heard he experienced quite a severe mauling at some point. Do you have any knowledge/insight of that incident? Speaking of "remembers" Roger and what it was and what it is today, what could a young person witness that would impact them so much that they would want to do the same for the rest of their life?
I am always reminded of the scene in MAD MAX where what was left of the world gathered around a fire to hear "the tell" from the tribal elder about their origins and the world long ago. Stay well Rog, as I consider you the tribal elder Slake of the Jungle Land/Oaks day's and Jim Clubb tribal elder Slake of the Alfred Court day's. I'll accept responsibility for the Hawthorn day's.
"This ain't onebody's story, it's the story of us all; we got it mouth-to-mouth, so you got to listen it, and 'member, 'cause what you hears today you gotta tell the birthed tomorrow."
Wade Burck
The Rode family performed
as "The Rodos" but were never
a riding act Roger they were
acrobats with a casting tramp
& leaps over cars & swords
They carried a loveley team
of general purpose ladies to
fill the air with webs & to
add to all production numbers
Bruno the older brother ran
the troupe with German style
He was the main leaper while
his younger brother Hans with
his wife Rosie did a fantastic
very high open handed cradle
act as "The Palace Duo"
The family created & operated
a very succesful German joint
titled "Old Heidelberg Castle"
here in Sarasota for many years
that had live circus acts &
an oompah band & did very well
Strange family dynamics led
Bruno & his elder son Harold
to open a 2nd "Heidelberg" in
Gatlinburg that didn't go well
Younger brother Frankie told
me a while back that Harold
had a stroke & that Kim Baer
was taking care of him
Right, Kim has been there with Harold some 4 years now. Together, we took care of her father, Parley Baer, at their Tarzana home, and at Motion Picture Hospital, in Woodland Hills, for his last 14 months, and were with him at his passing. Kim had graduated from a med tech school and turned around and remained on their faculty for 4 years. She notes her post-circus life has proven intended as a full-time caregiver.
I visited their Gatlinburg joint
a few times when I was working
on "Dixie Stampede" a division
of "Dollywood" in Pigeon Forge
It was dismal & smelled of old
beer & smoke & was doing poorly
Several of the "Rodo" folks say
that failed 2nd restaurant had
siphoned off profits from the
main "Heidelburg" in Sarasota
Which brought it's demise
Post a Comment