Many could make the claim, TONY. Englishman Pete Taylor, in a turn unusual for a European, worked his big 25 mixed-act in the fighting style. When the nerve damage in his neck almost paralyzed him one night in 1925, he had to be escorted out before a packed house. Manager Danny Odum reluctantly allowed young Clyde to give them a try. He worked to great success, and expanded the act to his first Big Act of 40 lions and tigers. He reflected Taylor's style, but took the fighting act into a dimension of his own. He became a sensation that season on Hagenbeck-Wallace, and even more so when he broke his second Big Act for the new Cole-Beatty show, in 1935. No other trainer has done it twice. The fighting act that had been shown for years before Beatty, became the brand most recognized with his name.
5 comments:
Commack Easter week 1966
My favorite quote from Dave is
"They're not going to eat me"
After having witnessed the
last 4 years of Clyde Beatty
performing I would be forever
spoiled towards fighting acts
Many could make the claim, TONY. Englishman Pete Taylor, in a turn unusual for a European, worked his big 25 mixed-act in the fighting style. When the nerve damage in his neck almost paralyzed him one night in 1925, he had to be escorted out before a packed house. Manager Danny Odum reluctantly allowed young Clyde to give them a try. He worked to great success, and expanded the act to his first Big Act of 40 lions and tigers. He reflected Taylor's style, but took the fighting act into a dimension of his own. He became a sensation that season on Hagenbeck-Wallace, and even more so when he broke his second Big Act for the new Cole-Beatty show, in 1935. No other trainer has done it twice. The fighting act that had been shown for years before Beatty, became the brand most recognized with his name.
That's a good story. Can you recommend a biography of CB?
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