As I said a couple of days ago, I have a lot of respect for people who work chimps, adult chimps give me the heebie-jeebies. Two hoots from the belly and I'm out the door. I started with chimps at Jungle Larry's in 1974, I had an act with four and Roy had an act with five. Roy's oldest chimp, Clark, didn't like me. Clark bit my knee and threw poop at me- at least he was honest about his feelings. I had a hard time connecting, even with my group; I was always suspicious they were a little more clever than me.
I enjoyed them though, I think I was taken back to my childhood. I didn't have a favorite doll (didn't like dolls, I liked stuffed animal toys)and spent many years with Jo Jo the Chimp and Chester O' Chimp, who had a pull string and spoke phrases with an Irish accent. I don't think I ever missed an episode of Lancelot Link.
My hat is off to you, Sue. You and Rudy had that special something it takes to handle these incredible animals with such great success.
Photo taken at Cirque D'Hiver, Paris France 1964/65.
For Chic: Chimps from the top are Sita, Freddy, Louie, Bobo and Sally. Sally performed at every performance that Rudi & I ever worked together from 1964 until the end of 1994.
Yes Rudi and Sue were a class act and great real show folks. Had great visits with them both. I remember on Clyde Bros Howard Sueze show and Lucky Larabee was the ring master he had a 38 tucked in his back when the chimp act came out for protection.
8 comments:
Two classy folks.
Sue might fill in the blanks
Where & when & names & ages
(We all know who Rudi is)
As I said a couple of days ago, I have a lot of respect for people who work chimps, adult chimps give me the heebie-jeebies. Two hoots from the belly and I'm out the door.
I started with chimps at Jungle Larry's in 1974, I had an act with four and Roy had an act with five.
Roy's oldest chimp, Clark, didn't like me. Clark bit my knee and threw poop at me- at least he was honest about his feelings. I had a hard time connecting, even with my group; I was always suspicious they were a little more clever than me.
I enjoyed them though, I think I was taken back to my childhood. I didn't have a favorite doll (didn't like dolls, I liked stuffed animal toys)and spent many years with Jo Jo the Chimp and Chester O' Chimp, who had a pull string and spoke phrases with an Irish accent. I don't think I ever missed an episode of Lancelot Link.
My hat is off to you, Sue. You and Rudy had that special something it takes to handle these incredible animals with such great success.
Photo taken at Cirque D'Hiver, Paris France 1964/65.
For Chic: Chimps from the top are Sita, Freddy, Louie, Bobo and Sally.
Sally performed at every performance that Rudi & I ever worked together from 1964 until the end of 1994.
In my 56 years in the business
I never saw better behaved or
better performing chimpanzees
I have seen some pretty ornry
elder of the species that were
enough for me to learn to keep
plenty of distance between us
I was taught early on not to
make eye contact with any big
chimps or babboons as it was
considered a challenge & I had
no problem in lesson learned
The worst of the BIG males was
known as Congo in a truck show
on Beatty billed "Killer Ape"
I forgot whose chimp on Jimmy
Harrington's Puerto Rico date
was able to got hold of the
short pipe that fell out of
a sleeve & chased the trainer
all over the outfield of the
Estadio Hiram Bithorn where
we were showing (very Exciting)
Thanks Sue for the details
I'm in Atlanta changing planes
Will be back in Sarasota just
in time for the memorial event
at the club for Mike Morgan
"ShowFolks Club at 5 pm"
Didn't you have 6 chimps
in your rock & roll band
on that rotating platform
An incredible display
Yes Rudi and Sue were a class act and great real show folks.
Had great visits with them both.
I remember on Clyde Bros Howard Sueze show and Lucky Larabee was the ring master he had a 38 tucked in his back when the chimp act came out for protection.
How early did Rudi start
training chimpanzees Sue
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