Minyak and Sabu

Hi Bunni, Minyak and Sabu came from the Hagenbeck Zoo where they appeared in a five act "Kernaudi", "Minyak", "Mudu", "Sabu" and "Icky" where they were presented by Hugo Schmitt. Hugo once told me that as the Allied bombing intensified in Germany he often spent the night with them under a concrete overpass nearby waiting for the all clear signal. Hugo and the elephants were soon shipped out of the country into neutral Sweden with hopes they would be returned after the war but such was not the case, they were confiscated by the Swedish Government and eventually sold to the Ringling Show in 1947. In 1961 the Ringling Show sent a unit to South America and "Minyak" and "Sabu" were included but on their return were both sold to Hoxie-Bartok Circus in 1962 (I might add that Hugo never owned these elephants) and thenUnited Nations Circus in 1963. (Same show?) They were sold to D.R. Miller in 1964 and "Minyak" died shortly after arriving in Oklahoma and "Sabu" died a year later after being leased to Carson & Barnes Circus (owned by Jack Moore) for that season. Hugo added that "Minyak" had a calf while in the Hagenbeck Zoo and that he touched it before Minyak did. Today I hear that with so many calves being born in captivity, that is almost always the case.

Circcus World 1974 #8

Scan10830, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I was told to report to Venice in October of 1973 since they wanted these elephants out of winter quarters by Thanksgiving so as not to interfere with the Blue Show rehearsal. As it turned out we camped out at quarters for a few more months due to construction problems at the park. When I arrived these seven elephants were named (L to R) Matsho, Patna, Assam, Sheva, Sandry, Mala and Minyak, mostly out of vanity I immediately changed most of their names with the intention of leaving my stamp on Ringling elephants that would be around for the next half century. By the time this picture was taken in the Venice Arena their names were "Hope" for my sister in law, "Josky", "Babe" for my mother, "Barbara" for my wife, "Sophie" for Chappie's wife, "Lalea" for my mother in law and I kept the same name for "Minyak" since I liked the name. Over the next few years as the result of bartering "Hope" went to Rex Williams who renamed her "Gyp" and "Babe" wound up in the Columbus Zoo. Nobody could remember my mother in law's name so it reverted back to "Mala". When we finally arrived at Circus World, I proudly announced to Sophie Fox that I had named an elephant after her and said, "Oh, really" she was underwhelmed.

RBBB 1951 #2 (To Brad Brad, Sebastian's back)

SAVE2353, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Just watched it for the 99,098 time and I never get tired of it. I am blown away that this show moved everyday. Buckles, please pardon my ignorance, was there really an elephant named Minyak? Also, didn't Hugo S. spend some time with Mills Brothers? Finally, did the show have the French Foriegn Legion wardrobe or was that wardrobe created to cover the men's faces so Arky could get around the elephants without being identified? I spend way too much time watching the GSOE. BRAD BRAD SEBASTIAN'S BACK "Is your foot getting tired Minyak?" That was actually her name. Hugo Schmitt was with Mills Bros. Circus 1950-53 and had no connection with the movie. As seen above, the Foreign Legion wardrobe was in keeping with the theme of the number and for no other reason that I'm aware of." Buckles

From Dominic Yodice

Elephants%20@%20MSG%201960, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Good morning Buckles, Hope all is well. I have attached a photo that I took in the basement of the "old" Madison Square Garden in April of 1960. The picture was taken with an old Kodak Brownie Instamatic. Unfortunately it is actually the only one that is any good. I know the African is Diamond but can you identify the Asian. As a kid and having just seen "The Greatest Show On Earth" (1960 re-release) I always thought that this might be Minyak. Notice all the popcorn on the floor. Regards Dom "You're right, Minyak it is!" Buckles

RBBB Blue Unit 1979 #2

On the way to the back door for the final performance. Tom Haffner with the "Minyak Five"- "Minyak", "Mala", "Barbara", "Josky" and "Sophie". Coming around the corner is the "Center Ring Five"- "Carmen", "Zina", "Peggy", "Hugo" and "Gilda".

Young Minyak

Adam J. requested a picture of today's "Minyak" with the Ken & Nicole Show when younger. Here she is at the Ringling Quarters in Venice in October of 1973. This was a publicity shot taken to depict three gnerations of circus people showing my mother and I with son Shannon riding.

Seat Wagons #1 (From Buckles)

1948 Hugo Schmitt and "Minyak".

Sarasota #4

These next three shots show Hugo Schmitt practicing "Kernaudi", "Minyak", "Mudu", "Sabu" and "Icky" shortly after arriving from the Hagenbeck Zoo in 1947. John North insisted he needed more to fill out the ring so he added "Minnie", "Dolly" and "Sudan" from the Ringling herd. (No Gary Hill not our Mudu)

GSOE Elephant Act #18

With Arky standing close at hand, Lyle prepares to move Minyak into position for the foot-in-face trick.

#13 RB 1950's

"Minyak" are your feet getting tired?

More Headpieces #5

This is Tom Hafner with "Barbara" in the 1978 King Neptune Spec. When I took these elephants over in the Fall of 1973 , Hugo Schmitt had named the seven young elephants "Minyak", "Mala", "Sandra", "Sheva", "Assam", "Patna" and "Matsho", names  difficult for the every day elephant Hand to master so I immediately changed the last five to "Barbara", "Josky" "Sophie", "Hope" and "Babe". When I told Sophie Fox I had named an elephant after her she shot back "Oh Really!".....anyway I meant well. Over the years "Hope" went to Rex Williams who changed her name to "Gyp" and "Babe" wound up in the Columbus Zoo? name unknown.

Ringling Circus World 1975

circusworld_fl_modified, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This is an enlargement of a picture presently appearing in the Nov.-Dec. issue of "White Tops". 1. Bonnie (African) 2. Anna May 3. Dalilah (African) 4. Hugo (male) 5. Charlie (male) 6. Peggy 7. Zina 8. Minyak 9. Gilda 10. Mala 11. Barbara 12. Sophie 13. Josky 14. Major (male) 15. Vance (male) 16. Rebecca 17. Ty (African) 18. Mudu 19. Carmen

Hugo Schmitt #3

Scan000010998, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. Now in Sarasota putting together the 1948 center ring 8 act with his five German elephants (purchased from the Swedish Govt. by Ringling) "Kernaudi", "Minyak", "Mudu", "Sabu" and "Icky" plus three that he had joined out while on the show "Minnie", "Dolly" and "Sudan".

"Emily" #2

Scan13236, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Syarcuse, NY approximately a year later, July 7, 1948. She's turning into a pretty nice looking elephant. I'd be willing to bet that the other five elephants are the ones Hugo Schmitt brought from Germany "Icky", "Sabu", "Mudu" "Minyak" and "Kernaudi".

#3 Hugo Schmitt

.....Elephant Empress appears a bit concerned! The act he brought over from Germany was "Kernaudi", "Minyak", "Mudu". "Sabu" and "Icky" but Mr. North decided more should be added .....even "Sudan" was included for a while.

RBBB 1958 #1

Chang Reynolds gave me this picture many years ago and shows how it was done during the period the Ringling Show had no train. Hugo Schmitt seen unloading the orignal "Minyak" and "Padmuh" in Los Angeles from a rented baggage car.

Sarasota Revisited #15

Scan12445, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Looking East at the elephants standing behind the guys trimming feet. First big elephant is "Sparks Mary". With the exception of "Minyak", the last elephant in line, all the others were for sale.

Sarasota #12

Hugh Schmitt shortly after arrival Summer of 1947 with the five German elephants purchased from the Hagenbeck Zoo Kernaudi, Minyak, Mudu, Sabu and Icky. JRN wanted a larger act so Hugo added two Ringling elephants plus the African "Sudan".

#12 Sarasota

Hugo Schmitt and "Minyak" After catching each stick she would lower her trunk, turn them vertically and smack the ends under her chin so they would be even for the next toss.

GSOE Elephant Act #2

......mainly, that Brad knows how to command Minyak to raise up her foot.