Saturday, November 01, 2008

homecat (From Dave Powell)


homecat, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Look at Beatty-Cole late 1960's #13. I think Dave liked these type of cat cages. The photo is from L E Barnes WQ April 2001

can someone tell me how Mel & Unity are doing?

11 comments:

Wade G. Burck said...

I think Dave bought those cages from Andre Scarbecki who was with Ringling for some time early on. Andre and I had discussed the handles and he discovered after they were built, the reason why
Wade Burck

Casey McCoy Cainan said...

These cages look a little different then the ringling ones prior. The handles hooked above the slush door on those, on these it goes all the way to the bottom of the under carriage, leaving the cable across the slush door, and I would think meaning you had to kneel down to unhook the handle and let the door down. Seems like a design flaw.

Anonymous said...

When in the Chicago area in the very late 60's, Dave had a couple visit him and they were discussing what type of spindles and wheels they should get. The gentleman who appeared to be an engineer or manufacturer said that he would take care of the problem. I suspect that these wheels and tires were of his doing.
Bob Kitto
PS. They brought their own donniker.

Anonymous said...

Mel Ray and Unity are doing well...they live in Gibsonton but are currently on the road with a carnival. Mel Ray works for me when they are home.
Lauren Fairchild

Anonymous said...

We are alive and well thanks for asking! We are currently in Yazoo City, Ms. with Miller Spectacular Shows. Those cat cages were modified several times in WQ, trying to satisfy both Dave and the USDA. (Not an easy task!)
Unity Silverlake

Rebecca Ostroff said...

Unity tell the whole story !You were in charge of Dave's lions.
Mel Ray was the show welder, a full time job! For Real ! He even gave Marshall welding lessons!
Dave bought the lions and a huge trailer from Andre.The trailer had a huge meat fridge thing in the front.In the middle was the wardrobe room.The back was props!
The cats traveled in another trailer ,open so you could see them driving to the next town.
There were so many favorite things on L.E Barnes! Listening to lions roar was the norm!
Two rings of mixed animals!I could go on and on.
I didn't know how amazing and cool this was! sigh...

Circus Photos said...

Hello, Unity & Rebecca

Yes it was great to wake-up to the lions roar. Some were I have photos of that truck in WQ. Unity can you please email your email address? I like to send some photos of you & Mel. Dad said hello!

Anonymous said...

To those of you that have trouped, there is nothing better that the big cats giving voice to the one who woke up and decided to give a concert at 3AM. Many times on the Beatty show my wife and I were able to hear these great sounds. Would that they were still around.
I didn't troup with the show, but was allowed to hang around and play in the band for several years of vacations.
Bob Kitto

Anonymous said...

Hi Becky! Good to hear from you! Dave please tell your dad we said hi! Our email is timberlakeu@aol.com please send any pics you might have! Thank you!
Unity & Mel Ray Silverlake

Anonymous said...

Nothing against Cat Roars at 3:am..Yet I always preferred to hear the Crash Boom Bang of the Tent crew triumphantly returning from the local watering Hole...On any and All shows..One could rest easily then...Knowing the Big-Top would go up...with Bonus stories at the Cookhouse that Day......

Unknown said...

Trying to find out any info about Andre Scarbecki for my elderly mother. Please email me at darrieakamom@gmail.com for more info. Thank you.
Dorothy Casey