Still more Jules Jacot (From Jim Alexander)

Mr. Conway would have been at the STL Zoo in the early 1950s when Jacot's act at one time had over 20 animals, mainly lions, but two tigers and two brown bears. Must have been spectacular. I think Johnny Herriott, a well respected 2nd generation horse and elephant trainer, said Jules had the best cat act he's ever seen. Mike Kostial told me, "my dad was a good trainer but Jacot was the best." I met Jules in 1966 and we'd visit any circus within 100 miles of STL. When he showed up on the lot he was treated as a circus legend. Jules wasn't a great diplomat, if he liked you great but if he didn't it wasn't a secret. Jules worked at the Zoo until he was in his late 70s. I often announced/ narrated his show. During some prop moving in the last segment when he presented his own lions (an excellent display of cat training) we'd tell the audience that Jules was the "Dean of Wild Animal Trainers" and still performing in the big cage at 77 years old. (A sure applause line and if you forgot say it Jules would tell you.) Other than that announcement Jules didn't consider himself to be old and had no interest in retiring. I'm getting close to that age group and can understand Jules a little better. If I was still doing the sea lion show they could announce, "Jim's been doing this a long time, well past the age for retirement and Medicare, and can still blow up a beachball (just takes him longer)."