Buckles Blog: George Keller #7

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

George Keller #7

9 comments:

Anonymous said...: Of the very best animal men on cats I've known, Charles Bennett, Uncle Ben, was the most learned. He had 12 years with Louis Roth, 1933-1945. Aside from his knowledge, he was as devoted to cats as any circus person in the industry. This photo illustrates why he refused offers of a job with this act. In Lubbock, Texas, I saw this act load out, and studied its system.

Look closely. There is no way to get to the cages. Once loaded, the props and arena were positioned surrounding the cages in an arrangement which prevented cleaning, feeding, or watering of the animals in transit. From this offer, Bennett, in his own quiet fashion, said "No savvy", and walked away.; 09 January, 2007 16:28
Anonymous said...: I wonder what year this photo was taken. The truck I believe is in the 53 to 56 range? The Hagen show had some like this around the 60s.
No way to take care of stock? Roger Smith, where is your sense of adventure?; 09 January, 2007 22:20
Anonymous said...: I believe this is the truck (possibly with a new cab) that was ivnolved in that very bad accident on Rudy Bros. out west somewhere in the early 70's.

From what I have heard, the truck went off the road, and down a cliff, killing the driver. I have been told that one of the big cats died, one totally disapeared, and the others that had gotten loose from their cages were re-captued and taken to a zoo. This was of course the end of that act.

Does anyone have any further info on this?; 10 January, 2007 05:47
Anonymous said...: I believe that Buckles will be an important source for research for future circus historians, so I feel it important to be accurate in our comments, so I must come to the defense of Mr. Kellar. First off Mr. Kellar for the number of years that he was around had not one, but two cage men with this small amount of cats. They were Tiny and Al and they were not "goofs", but I assume were paid well enough, because they were quite loyal and took care of his animals and equip. in the high standards he demanded. I believe Kellar one an early cat act that had a disinfectant spray program, so that you could barely tell they were in a building. As for loading and traveling I am very sure that his cats received the finest care, however it would be administered. For some three years I produced a very high class circus production during Easter week held on the eighth floor in the Auditorium of the prestigious Dayton Co. Dept. store in downtown Minneapolis. One of the great stores of its type in the country. We would house for one week the three elephants, ponies. horse, dogs and one year the special events director suggested a cat act. I immediately thought of Kellar and they didn't disappoint. They and my help as wll kept the place immaculate and odor free as much as possible. Probably the main odor was the nice smell of sawdust. The Dayton Co. were pleased with our efforts, hence the repeat and Had I not gone with Ringling with all those animals from Baraboo I would assume it would still be going on. It was abig hit in the Minneapolis media and public. Unfortunately that was right after the passing of George and Bill Horne worked the act and certainly George was missed.
Now I knew Ben quite well. Each year one of the compound dates would be Texas dates and they would send the same female act from the compound, worked by Anthony, Jusyk, etc. Youn g presenters. Benny, a very quiet, unassuming man would accompany them, more as the general supervisor, nursemade to these young fellows and the dispensor and collector of the money. He made no claims and showed no desire as a trainer-presenter and was not a show guy, so to speak, and I am quite sure he would not e available to work for any traveling cat act, whoever they may be.
I don't recall too many cat acts having the state of the art facilities that you suggest, when loaded, including the vehicle hauling the compound act and also the standard semitrailer hauling the Castle act, and having been on the Ballpark, rodeo ground circuit for a number of years, I don't recall any awnings set up over the cats when they were unloaded and placed on some racetrack-infield for the length of the engagement whatever it would be. I am sure you recall tipping the seats and then hosing them off on those hot sunny days out west. Thanks for your indulgence and I am open for criticism. I did some pretty dumb things myself.; 11 January, 2007 10:06
Anonymous said...: I like criticizism versus condeming.
The Castle cat truck was set up to easily care for the stock. I never thought the loading was too easy. John Zerbini got my vote on that one, neverless not knowing or seeing the rig of Mr Keller ? If I was given the job there would not have been a question as to the caring for the stock. I might cuss the man who built the rig. I like many other animal people would feel the same however there are the exceptions.; 11 January, 2007 20:41
Anonymous said...: JC Hall is right. The Castle act was set so that we could fully clean, feed, and water each animal readily.

To Jimmy Cole: Let me give you the quote from the June 26, 1971, AMUSEMENT BUSINESS: "The truck carrying Keller's Jungle Killers hit an earthslide Tuesday (8), in Colorado, killing driver Al Lapchak, 50, and spilling out the animals. One tiger had to be shot, and the other animals tranquilized. Act is owned by Mrs. Virginia (Keller) Horn (sic) and Capt. William Horn, who works it."

Bill Horne told me the truck did go down the mountain, and that when it came to rest, one cat got into the cab with Al, seemingly to protect him, as Al had no injuries suggesting an animal attack. Evidently, travellers had no warning of the hazard, and Al rounded a bend, hit the slide and went over. And I believe you're right, Jim, that one cat was never found.; 11 January, 2007 23:51
Anonymous said...: JC s trucks always provided easy ways to feed,water and muck out the animal cages. As I often did this myself with OKIE CARR I know what I am talking about. The flaps on the side of the truck were left open during hot trips. Caught in traffic going down the streets of Washington DC past the treasury building was a real thrill. The bear truck also had side flaps that were opened when the truck was parked at truck stops and rest areas. This usually drew a group of lookie lues. I worried of one showing off and getting hurt trying to impress a buddy.; 12 January, 2007 06:44
Anonymous said...: Some of the best animal people in the business are never given the credit they so HONESTLY deserve. They never blew their own horn. Just cared for and trained behind the scene. Just because we never hear of them does not mean they were not out there. They knew the REAL skinny of the circus. Some of The STARS would never have made the center ring with out them.; 13 January, 2007 09:32
Anonymous said...: Rebecca: That's exactly what Benny Bennett did. To think he wasn't a trainer is an error. Not only was he exquisitely qualified to train cats, he was the Compound's Guardian Angel, as he went in for every one of us who worked there to bail us out.

Ben went on the road in the capacity you noted, to make certain the animals had proper care. A couple of trainers who took out Jungleland animals were more interested in showing off and chasing skirts than in cleaning cages. Ben did everything--after all, he had built shifting boxes, endless props, and five arenas for the Compound. Moreover, Ben went with the acts since the trainers were young and learning, and he was there to provide the core animal knowledge for which they were apprentices. And to go in for them in jackpots, we must never forget.; 13 January, 2007 12:10

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