Buckles Blog

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

1968 James Bros. Circus #1 (From Jerry Cash)

Buckles;

Following up on your subject of masts and poles, I thought you might like to see these pictures of James Bros. Circus.

1968 James Bros. Circus #3

"Our first season with the show."
Buckles

"Jackie", "Anna May", "Ellie", "Sue" and "Lovey" (named after Lovey Kellner, Sid's wife)
These little guys were pretty scrawney when we joined the show and Barbara immediately started boiling the oatmeal and hand feeding "Jackie".
Buckles

1968 James Bros. Circus #5

"Jackie" (Juno) impatiently awaiting her bottle, to the chagrin of "Anna May".
Buckles

1969 James Bros. Circus #1 (From Jerry Cash)

I've been shooting circus pictures for more than 50 years. I guess our paths have crossed several times over the years, but I have never met you.

Jerry

1969 James Bros. Circus #2

1969 James Bros. Circus #3

"So here we are a year later, the punks a little more robust."
Buckles

1969 James Bros. Circus #4

1969 James Bros. Circus #5

1969 James Bros. Circus #6

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

On the subject of masts and poles!

When Sid Kellner bought the Mills show tent, equipment, seat wagons, etc. this tent was included, a 120 with three 40's.
When we joined, the show had a half grown elephant named "Ellie" and three smaller ones "Lovie", "Sue" and "Jackie".
"Ellie" was broke for harness so she and the fork lift would go up with the quarter poles, it would take time but fortunately we played mostly on parking lots (ala Vargas) and the surfaces were hard. I might add that my wife refused to have "Anna May" (being artistic) involved in such fol de rol.
So the following winter I harnessed up two of the punks and I was astonished how much power they could generate and they could whip around on a dime, it was fun. They even pulled up the aluminum center poles with little effort.
Some years later in October of 1976 Kenneth contacted me at Circus World saying he had gotten a call from Kellner offering to sell these three and I recommended them highly.
So after a deal was made I sent Gary Jacobson to the show to bring them back and upon arrival immediately changed their names to "Louie", "Sid" and "Juno".
As far as I know they are still under Ringling ownership, I stopped keeping records in 1996.

GUNTHER! #31 (From Eric Beheim)

"The Lord of the Rings"

GUNTHER! #32

GUNTHER! #33

GUNTHER! #34

GUNTHER! #35

GUNTHER! #36

Gunther as Rhett Butler in the 119^th Edition’s “Salute to Hollywood” opening.

GUNTHER! #37

(This is as appropriate an image as any to close with.)

From Paul Gutheil #1

Late as usual....in the late 1980's and into the early 1990's
as I recall, RBBB had a special event (they did a few )
in NY City's Central Park which was attended by the public and NYC
school kids. Hundreds of these buttons were handed
out and I was fortunate enough to get a couple. They also had a huge
banner which read the same. They paraded the elephant
herd up into the park, then Mayor Koch was there as well as cast members
from the B'way show "Cats". There was a mini performance and long
tables heavily laden with "lunch" for the elephants. I remember the
school girls shrieking so loud that the elephants started to rumble,
apparently disturbed, as was I, by the high pitched shrieking. It was a
great day and many Circus Fans were there. I believe Tim Holst was
there with the performers. I took lots of photos and will send to you
ASAP whether you can use them or not. Also want to find some photos
from Gunther's induction into the Madison Square Garden walk of fame,
another grand event.

From Paul Guthel #2

Also these belated anniversary pictures.
While looking for something else I came across these photos, in an album would you believe.
I hope you like them, especially Barbara.
Close to 30 years ago, but who' counting?

From Paul Gutheil #3

Monday, December 16, 2013

From Buckles

Received my copy of Bandwagon today and just finished going over Dave Price's outstanding layout "Clyde Beatty in Hollywood".
Great job!

Also included in this issue is a collection of the late Tom Parkinson's early notations among which he mentions visiting Barnett Bros. Circus in 1939 and my father taking the time to show him some pictures from his collection, taking him into the Side Show (he sold tickets that year) then a seat in the Big Show and finally topped it off with a meal in the cook house.

GUNTHER! #17

I believe that this and the next image are from the “Lord of the Rings” TV special that was taped in Los Angeles.

GUNTHER! #18

GUNTHER! #19

The press kit promo-video also included some scenes showing Gunther’s backstage activities including directing the elephant unloading . . .

GUNTHER! #20

GUNTHER! #21

. . overseeing the animal walk . . .

GUNTHER! #22

. . . and personally performing many of the behind-the-scenes chores.

GUNTHER! #23

GUNTHER! #24

GUNTHER! #25

There is also some footage of him rehearsing between performances.

GUNTHER! #26

GUNTHER! #27

(Whenever Gunther was in the arena performing, it seemed like he was constantly on the run.)

GUNTHER! #28

GUNTHER #29

GUNTHER! #30

Most of you probably remember the 114^th Edition TV special, when Gunther sang a duet with guest host Barbara Mandrell. (The whole show was done like one big music video and just about everyone on staff had to sing, even Bill Pruyn!)

(TO BE CONTINUED)

From Buckles

Now why couldn't somebody come up with an idea like that for our Ringling Special?
An opportunity for me to sing Supercalifragalistic Expialidicious on National TV.....lost forever!

Sunday, December 15, 2013

To Larry Allen Dean

No idea regarding the rest of the 1969 Circus Williams stock but these were the elephants they brought over as scanned from the Sacred Scrolls.

GUNTHER! #1 (From Eric Beheim)

December 27^th will mark the 25^th anniversary of the premier of the Red Unit’s 119th Edition: the Gunther Gebel-Williams Farewell Tour.

GUNTHER #2

The 119^th Edition’s video press kit included a short promo-video on Gunther’s career, assembled primarily from video footage that had been taped over the years for the various Red Unit TV specials. Here are some frame enlargements from that video.