Polack Bros. Circus 1972 #2

Polack-2, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Baron Julius von Uhl’s lions and tigers. I recall reading that, when the show was in San Francisco, one of Baron von Uhl's lions got loose inside of the building where the show was appearing. It happened at a time when the public was not present, and got good coverage in the San Francisco newspapers.

Polack Bros. Circus 1972 #3

Polack-3, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Polack Bros. Circus 1972 #4

Polack-3A, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Polack Bros. Circus 1972 #5

Polack-4, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Unknown

Polack Bros. Circus 1972 #6

Polack-4A, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Unknown “funny Ford” act.

Polack Bros. Cirus 1972 #7

Polack-5, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I believe this was a Zoppe jockey dog act.

Polack Bros. Circus 1972 #8

Polack-6, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Polack Bros. Cicus 1972 #9

Polack-7, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Unknown low-wire act

Polack Bros. Circus 1972 #10

Polack-8, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Unknown clowns performing the old stomach pump gag.

From Richard Reynolds

Sad news. This just in from Stuart's wife, Boyka Thayer. We've lost the greatest of all circus historians. For those of you who may not have heard, Stuart had been quite ill for some time. However, of late he had started moving around using a walker. He was making a trek to a nearby village area when struck by an automobile, suffering multiple fractures - - ankle, leg, and ribs. At the hospital he had been unable to breathe on his own and was on a respirator. So now he has gone on to the great lot in the sky where he was no doubt warmly greeted by his old circus history colleagues - -among them Tom Parkinson, Orin King, Joe Bradbury, Bob Brisendine, Dick Conover and others who led the way in the learned pursuit of our shared passion. Richard Reynolds

From Dave Price

Dear Friends: Mary Jane and I got to know Stuart when we used to bill Michigan for Bill English on the Hanneford advance. Preston was just a boy then and Stuart's first wife Marilyn was alive. We have been to their home many times and over the years Stuart has been here a number of times, in later years bringing Boyka. I suppose you all know the story of his breaking his hip on one of those visits. I called Boyka and when she heard my voice she immediately said, "What has happened to Stuart?" Whenever he was here, he and I used to drive around to small towns in Tennessee where the old shows had played. I recall visiting the boat landing in Dover because that was where the Dan Rice show had landed. Sometimes he would break into song with "Bring Back those Old Minstrel Days" and we'd both laugh a lot. I will always treasure his letters. His e-mails have been brief lately; I got a couple from him early this month, one expressing concern over Mary Jane's health problems and the other saying, "I'm holding my own, which isn't saying much." I know that we will both miss his warm laughter and his friendship and his brilliant mind. Our heart goes out to Boyka. Best to you all, Dave and Mary Jane

Blue Unit 2009 #13 (From Jimmy Hall)

DSC01021, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles, Here are a few more shots on the RBBB Blue I sure like how they filled the arena with so few web gals and pulled it off so well. The look and the sound was great. Good staging.Wish they would get the likes of lady" Kimberley "Cannon Ball Smith" Soren" to be the center anchor act in this aerial number. She is a hot piece of business. Also a not so good photo of the rear end of Miss Vidbell's porcupine. Again, not a shot of a beaver. I always new she would get places with her critter. There were quite a few acts in the come in. Replacing elephant girls with clowns, replacing clown's come in with acts. Quite colorful any way you look at. Sincerely J.C.Hall "I hadn't planned on running these pictures until the weekend but became increasingly nervous over the "performing beaver" situation. I'm sure Picture #22 will bring the matter to a pleasant conclusion." Buckles

Blue Unit 2009 #14

DSC01042, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Blue Unit 2009 #15

DSC01053, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Blue Unit 2009 #16

DSC01056, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Blue Unir 2009 #17

DSC01059, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. "I can certainly empathize with these people. Having to endure this Police line-up twice daily and three times on Saturday has to be the most humiliating experience imaginable. All for the sake of an extra hour of concession sales. I wonder if little kids come up and kick them?" Buckles

Blue Unit 2009 #18

DSC01070, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Blue Unit 2009 #19

DSC01126, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Blue Unit 2009 #20

DSC01141, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Blue Unit 2009 #21

DSC01165, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.