Tuesday, March 18, 2014

George Denman #10


From 1932 RBBB program.

Posted by Buckles at 3/18/2014 05:31:00 AM

3 comments:

Buckles said...

You will notice that the elephants were done and off the lot early.
Howdah bulls in spec, immediately followed by the the elephant display then off to the cars.
My Dad said in 1922 only the lead elephant in each act wore a headpiece and the herd worker made the mounts (no girls)and also no long mount, as they left the rings and stages, the herd would line up on the back track and on command do hind leg stands facing the front side of the house.
In order to make a quick getaway off the lot the herd workers wore
regular trousers during the evening performances so that as they exited the back door all they had to do was toss their cap and uniform coats to the wardrobe people and pick up the lanterns with scarcely breaking step.

18 March, 2014 07:32
John Herriott said...

Maybe friend Roger Smith would comment on this. During Hubert Castles circus owner days I understand that Bert Pettus had a sweetheart deal whereby the elephants performed quite early in the performance and would be able to be on the road in early evning in those years of long jumps overnight. There was no spec, no finale. So Vickly Hanneford said Bert would have already layed out the back yard,etc. for his personal use and satisfaction. Those on the show referred to it as "the Ponderosa." johnny

18 March, 2014 10:00
Roger Smith said...

JOHNNY HERRIOTT is right. Bert had the camels and llamas on earlier than the elephants, but after these acts worked, Bert and Marie were on the road usually before intermission. Castle's jumps were as demanding as any show's in those days, and everyone got into the next town dead tired. Bert wisely recalled every lot on the route, and had his trucks parked and his ropes bordering his Ponderosa before any of the rest of us arrived. He helped everyone else by having spotted water and lights outlets, and doubled as unofficial lot superintendent by helping us all park. As was often said of Bert and Marie, "They only had about 10,000 friends."

20 March, 2014 03:14

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