thecircusblog | September 5, 2008
The Escalante Circus was a small show, but it spawned some of the greatest circus performers in the country at that time. Notice on the far right a man in a dark suit. His name was Herbie Webber, a tight wire performer known for his “slide for life” act. Also is Melonga, Chata, Henry, Lalo, Escalante the Landon’s […]
thecircusblog | September 3, 2008
The Henry Boys from left to right: Arthur, Todd, Robert, Glenn & Cliff. There is one sister and her name was Bertha she was the oldest. This photo taken in 1920, on their father’s circus. J.E.Henry’s Big Show. I also want to mention Max Craig, he was like a brother to the Henry boys. Max was raised […]
thecircusblog | September 3, 2008
Blaco takes Anita for a ride. In the early 1950’s my mother thought it would be unusual to train small dog’s for her act. She was right…they were a big hit on the tv shows such as Spade Cooley and Ina Rae Hutton.
thecircusblog | September 3, 2008
Rita performing a back bend. Toni Madison had the only performing chihuahuas in the business at that time. My Mother used the stag name Toni Madison because there were to many Henry’s with dog act’s and the booking agents were always confused about who and what dog act they wanted.
thecircusblog | September 3, 2008
Rita was one of three performing chihuahuas in Toni Madison’s act. My Mother made all of the wardrobe for the dogs.
thecircusblog | September 2, 2008
My Dad bought a location house bus from Hal Roach Studios. It once belonged to Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. It was used while shooting their movies. It had everything we needed while we were on the road, however Dad did build a few extras. He put a hitch on it to pull a small trailer. Dad put a […]
thecircusblog | September 2, 2008
In the early 1950’s Toni Madison and her dogs performed on many TV shows such as The Spade Cooley Show, The Ina Ray Hutton Show, Western Verities, The Red Skeleton Show and the Pinky Lee Show. Movies included Vagabond King and several Walt Disney movies to name a few. The list continue on, My Mother was considered […]
thecircusblog | September 2, 2008
Mom saved many of her dogs from the dog catcher. She trained them and put them into her circus act. Later she became a famous act on TV and in motion pictures. She changed her name to Toni Madison and her act became known as “Toni Madison and her Wonder Dogs”. Photo taken on the 101 wild West & Circus […]
