Wednesday, August 10, 2011

From Jerry Digney #3

Elephant unloading, fall, 1970 (100th anniv show), Chicago--Hugo Schmitt: a year later Hugo would retire from the road, go to England and retrieve the bulls for Circus World--he passed away in 1977, barely enjoying 4 years of retirement; Buckles, I've never been clear on Hugo's USA history--he was on RBBB, then Mills, then RBBB?? do you know the history, chronology?

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Posted by Buckles at 8/10/2011 06:11:00 AM

6 comments:

Buckles said...

Hugo Schmitt joined RBBB June 20, 1947 at Pittsburgh with the five German elephants purchased by JRN.
1948-49 Ringling-Barnum
1950-53 Mills Bros.
1954-55 Ringling-Barnum
1956 Leonard Bros. with his own elephant "Targa".
1957-68 Ringling-Barnum
1969-71 Ringling-Barnum (Blue Unit)
1972-73 Venice Quarters with Billy Smart elephants.

10 August, 2011 06:42
Anonymous said...

There was a good Circus documentary on the BBC on Tuesday 9th August featuring the Smarts elephants among a host of other interesting film clips.

You may be able to view it by following this link
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0135kkp/Time_Shift_Series_11_When_the_Circus_Comes_to_Town/

Paul

10 August, 2011 08:32
john herriott said...

Hugo was a good friend for many years, good times ad bad times. A great knowledgable elephant trainer. He had also been a tiger trainer. He told me that in his early years he came here to the Benson animal farm [then American rep for Hagenback] way back before his Ringling time.Certainly he never had the looks and charisma of some others but he certainly did some wonderful training and innovative routines over the years. Too bad he has not received the recognition he deserves, but I as an animal trainer certainly am aware of his abilities. Behind that gruff exterior he had a great personality and sense of humour.I think he enjoyed giving Charly Baumann a bad time but would be first to rewcognize his ability in the cage. I am pleased to make a statement about Hugo, He was quite a guy and had a long tenure with the GSOE. Respectfully John Herriott

10 August, 2011 09:34
Anonymous said...

Yes this was BBC4.An hour long programnme a super history of the circus in the UK. there were many shots of Bertram Mills, Chipperfields and Smarts.Also Gerry Cottle,Gabney's circus and the Blackpool Tower.

10 August, 2011 11:08
Chic Silber said...

So was it the 72 season that Axel

took over the Blue herd & what

year was Axel sent to Williston

10 August, 2011 11:19
Chic Silber said...

Hugo's house was across the street

from Charlie & Suzanne Zerbini's

on Howell Place off of Fruitville

Road in Sarasota with many other

show families nearby

10 August, 2011 11:28

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