Gene Detroy Chimps
Posted By thecircusblog on October 4, 2012
The Gene Detroy chimps were probably the best theatrical act in there time. The only other act I can think of that topped them, was Gus Augsburg’s Jungle Wonders…..By my term theatrical I mean stage shows, clubs, etc but not circus. All though with a few miner adjustment in a circus chimp act can play Las Vegas type venues. I don’t think anyone then or now can compare with these two great acts.
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My name is Ivan M. Henry and I am the 4th generation of a circus/show business dynasty. I hope you enjoy the blog.Comments
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Gene Detroy was my father, it is great to see he still remembered
My family knew Gene, he was a good friend of my mother.
I think I might remember you if you came to visit from Australia or England back in the late 1960s or the early to mid 1970s.
Hi Jacki, My Mom and Dad, Ivy and Roy were good friends of Gene and your Mom Val , although they met in California they were English . I have many memories of being at the house in Woodland Hills . Also many memories of the chimp Enoch who use to sit at the bar and drink and have a smoke. I have photos of the “twins” who were raised first in cots in the house before moving to the chimp house out back. Mom and Dad met your parents at Van Nuys Ice rink where my Brother Roy played ice hockey.I must have been at the house with you when you were younger you were probably seven years younger than me and we spent a lot of time at your house before your parents split and you went back to Australia with your Mom. My Mom now 90 but as sharp as ever has just been telling me about your parents and family and is going to dig out some photos of you as a child.
Hi Michael Blue, I am also Gene and Val daughter. Are you Kitty Blue’s son. I remember a friend coming to the house called Kitty Blue. I think I have a photo of her.
Hi there, I remember your parents coming to Manchester England for their chimps to appear at the Palace Theater. My mom and dad Mendel and Anne Fish were good
friends of your mom and dads and they came to dinner at our home. I remember going to see the act at the theater and going back stage to play with the chimps and give them gum drops. I was a very small child then. I really liked your mom and dad they were so kind to me. I will always remember that for the rest of my life. I am now in my sixties. I married a Texan and now live here in the USA in Oklahoma City. II have one child who lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter. They have a sound company so they are in the entertainment business. Great to know your parents legacy still lives on.
HI,
I know Gina Mulholland. I live in her house that she grew up as a young girl. She stopped by our house a few years ago and told us about growing up in Woodland Hills on Calvert Street and life with her mom, dad (Gene Detroy) and the chimps. What a fun legacy and a lovely person to meet and still be friends with.
We understand both Elvis and Lucille Ball both visited Gene and the monkeys while they all lived here. Gina remembers her mom buying all sorts of drinks so she was ready to offer Elvis anything he might want. As the story was told, she bought everything except the one brand he liked. Coke. She has bought Pepsi instead. How’s that for a commercial?
We still have the little house in the back where the chimps lived, when we bought the house (1993). The chimps swing set was still embedded into concrete in the backyard. Guest often commented how odd it was to put a children’s swing set in concrete as it wasn’t safe for kids to play on. But now knowing it was intended for, it all makes sense now!
I still have neighbors that remember them the chimps living here too.
We share our house’s story often. Such fun to have some history kept alive. I’m so glad Gina came to our house years ago to meet us.
Gene Detroy was my great grandfather. David being my grandad. I never got to meet Gene but his first wife was my Great nanny Cynthia. I have a lot of very fond memories with her and my grandad Dave. I will always remember just how glamorous she is, even in her 90s!
I’d love to hear some stories of him or them if anyone has any.
Hayley x
Rattling great information can be found on blog.