Thursday, September 13, 2007

From Daryl Hoffman


big tusker, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Herriott, Goodall and Ingrassia should have fun with this one.

Posted by Buckles at 9/13/2007 06:27:00 AM

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Buckles: ..Isn't that Chappie Fox just the upper right of Tommy?

One more question: the 1984 Paul Davis Big Apple Circus poster....Barbara, female atop elephant( names of female and elephant) Can you help me?

13 September, 2007 07:31
Anonymous said...

Wow, Buckles, that's me as the maharajah on Tommy! That was my first time riding an elephant and I got to do it in grand style. What a nice start on the day to remember this event!

Yes, that is Chappie coming across from the direction of the Moeller Hippodrome building. Others in the picture include Lee Keener walking in front of Tommy (later christened King Tusk for those who don't know) with his head turned away and his wife as the Princess in the howdah. Walking behind is Johnny Cline leading his three elephants which are just out of sight. Directly next to Tommy’s forehead is a Schlitz official whose name escapes me.

The picture was taken in May of 1972, Chap’s last season at CWM. One of the new features that year (along with Sparrow’s first 40) was Tommy dressed in regalia to match a Barnum poster from the 1910s featuring a tusker in parade. Mayme Ward created what you see and Tommy came by to try it all on so they could see how he did with the howdah in particular as well as getting some possible PR photos mimicking the pose in the poster. Some Schlitz official and his wife were to be the maharajah and the princess but they didn’t come to Baraboo for this trial run so Chappie decided I was the same size for the turban and suit.

I remember that Tommy knelt down so that I could climb on and as I did, Tommy‘s head turned to see that was going on. I can still remember the “whoosh” those tusks caused in the air as he turned to look! I had forgotten we did parade because I remember the long time of trying to get photos and the challenge Lee Keener had in keeping Tommy in position for the photographer. I think I was up on Tommy well over an hour and climbed off feeling quite bow-legged! Chappie always had Baraboo’s Ron Brayer (Bob Parkinson used Ron Rich for the library’s work) do his photo work and most of the photo shots were taken in the field next to the library where, for the first time they had a tent for the daily performance. Somewhere I have only one photo of this event and nicely inscribed by Chappie, “To the mahout of Baraboo!”

Dick Flint
Baltimore

13 September, 2007 09:12
Anonymous said...

On the banks of the Baraboo river in the CWM. After I was gone. I see Lee Keener with Tommy followed by Johnny Cline, who with elephant hook is obviously leading his elephants, and of course Chappie. I have no idea what it was other than maybe practice for Tommy for the Milowaukee parade.tell us more.

13 September, 2007 09:26
Anonymous said...

Daryl, great photo. Thanks for sharing it with us.

13 September, 2007 12:50
Anonymous said...

I only rode an elephant one time, It was inside at Tulsa at a sold out performance and I was dressed as Santa Claus. The leggings didn't fit over my shoes, so I rode in black stockings and the leggings. The biggest problem was that the costume which was rented, had a beard that was covered inside with mildew and we covered it with duct tape. I still got sick and it took 2 weeks to recover.

13 September, 2007 19:58
Anonymous said...

Fantastic pic Darryl send more . Clean Raul

13 September, 2007 23:19
Anonymous said...

Dick Flint - The lady who rode the elephant in the parade was Lorraine Uihlein, wife of Robert Uihlein who was CEO of Jos Schlitz Brewing Company.

14 September, 2007 13:59
Dick Flint said...

Yes, I recall now that it was Mrs. Uihlein because I remember some amusing conversations that she also had a number of lady friends who rode other elephants in the parade. I remember meeting the fellow who took my place on Tommy but not his name; he was a mid-level exec about 40-45.
What was Lee Keener's wife's name?
Can anyone help me remember the name of the fellow in the sport jacket whose placed directly in front of Tommy's head in the picture. I can remember names who it is not (e.g., Clark Wilkinson of the Board) but not who it is! He was frequently around and I should recall but can't.
Dick Flint
Baltimore

14 September, 2007 18:49

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