Cole Bros. Circus 1947/ Hubert Castle

The Cristiani riding act and Hubert Castle's tight wire act were my favorites but Mr. Castle could have a dark side. His closing trick was a back somersalt feet to feet thru a hoop but on occasion, like a batter in a slump, he would go thru a spell where he couldn't complete the trick. Sometimes out of frustration after a miss he might throw the hoop up into the seats and on more than one occasion he would jump down from the wire and go after an usher or candy butcher that he thought had distracted him. Mr. Terrell's wife Estrelia dispised him and often stood in the front connection or even at the center ring grandstand gate during his act until he had left. I don't think that many people remember that Mr. Castle was on the Ringling Show in 1951, the year the movie was filmed. He was in the center ring flanked by Lola Dobritch and Tonito but refused to appear unless he was paid extra.