About Ivan M. Henry
Dear Circus Friends,
My name is Ivan M. Henry and I am the 5th generation of a circus/show business dynasty. What you are about to read is an accumulation of circus history spanning 6 generations, starting in the 1800’s to the present. It will include Mud Shows, Vaudeville, Modern Circus, Motion Pictures, and Television including a host of circus performers.
“Once seen, never forgotten, and once it’s over, all that’s left are wagon tracks and peanut shell”s.”
So…Sit back, Relax and Enjoy the Show!
Sincerely,
Ivan M. Henry
PS. PLEASE COME BACK OFTEN AS WE ARE JUST BEGINNING TO “GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD”
PPS. For more information about Ivan, see categories entitled “Ivan M. Henry” and “Henry’s Chimps”
77 Responses to “About Ivan M. Henry”
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Greetings, I was curious about the man named Ezra on roller skates. By chance do you have his last name? When was the above photo taken? My grandfather was an elephant trainer and worked in the circus. I also know of a story where he assisted in calming an elephant namd Madoc down after the elephant had escaped; I’m wondering if this is the same Ezra? I did want to add that I love the circus and attend reularly. Excellent post, Latonya Peterson, Author
Dear Ivan,
The famous sway pole artist Bruce Anderson is our friend – he was not only an amazing circus performer but a classical singer with a superb basso profundo voice. We visited him about a year ago but have since lost track of him. If you have any information we would be grateful to know how (and where) he is.
Best wishes,
Vicky Brago-Mitchell
I hope all is great since we last spoke and look forward to speaking with you again – Robert
Hello Ivan, always remembered your acts at Legend city. Bill Capell gave me your blog site.
Hi Ivan,
You look just like I remember you from my dads circus……I remember you shooting some holes in Dad’s big top to let the water out.
Best regards,
George
Ivan, Its me Chucko Jr.,aka Jeepers, The Randolphs, Mercedes & Benz, Stan Kramiens #2 Promoter. I remember La Bomba, Rocks Springs, Wy., May Kovar”Mama May”, David and Irene and Eduardo’s Gypsy Bears,etc.
I just got back from T.O.,Stagecoach Inn (Jungleland Museum) gODFATHERS ARE STILL THERE BUT GETTING OLDER AS WE ALL ARE. You look great, would love to get together soon.
Call or E at your earliest convenience,
Thanking you in advance for your kind consideration.
Your Pal under the top…Randy
I Smell sawdust and hear the wolves howling (dogs Barking) in CC CA May God Bless Ted Dewayne and Cliff and Jerry
I came across this website and loved finding the pictures of the Gutierrez Family. I am the daughter of the youngest Gutierrez daughter, Toni. It was wonderful to see all the pictures of my aunts and uncles. My Aunt Armida and Aunt Alice live in Sarasota, FL. My Aunt Dora and Uncle Arthur live in Los Angeles, CA. I am sad to say that my Aunt Molly, Aunt Pie, and Uncle Johnny have all passed. As for my mother, Toni, she lives in Arvin, CA. Thank you for posting all the great pictures and I look forward to seeing many more.
Hi Ivan,
I learned about Charles Carreras today, as I just bought a ring that supposedly belonged to him. Did you know him when he lived in Arizona, or before then?? Anyways, I’m trying to figure out some information on this ring… it has silver balls on it… real nice piece. Thanks alot!!
Peace, love and jugglin’!!!!
Jared Can you email a photo of the ring. ivanhoemh@aol.com Regards IVAN
Dear Ivan ,
Iam a Moroccan master student working on Moroccan acrobats in America . I saw a picture related to Antar Wazzan; could you plz provide me with some references of Antar because Iam working on this as a case study. This is my email if you kindly want to send me any material concerning this:jinan_novak01@hotmail.fr
thank you
Hi Henry! Wow, you DO look great! So glad to see it. We sure do miss you down at the club. Just had the candlelight meeting and closed up for the season. We’ll have the Homecoming at the close of the AZ State Fair, I’ll be sure to send you a reminder. It would be wonderful to have you and your lovely wife back for some long overdue jackpots! Love the blog, so glad I found it… Keep it up!
Hi Ivan,
Please note my film Circusborn, a year in the life of the Fossetts circus, Irelands national circus.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/CircusBorn/315824508438270?sk=app_203403406338325
It would be great if you might ad it to your store. You can do this automatically and gain commission through the distrify site.
Best wishes,
Matt Skinner, Producer/Director, Circus Born.
Hi,
I saw your comments about Bert Levey, he was my wife’s great grand uncle and considered like a really nice person with a great sens of humour. I was wondering what you could tell me about him.
Cheers,
Francois
Hi Ivan!
Is your family still performing?
Hi Ivan – I enjoy your blog. I am finishing a novel on my great grandfather and his brothers – “Ringling, The Last Laugh.” The website http://www.ringlingbook.com will open on May 19. The Facebook site will also launch. The book release is scheduled for June 11. I will update you when I release the book.
Best wishes,
Michael
Hi Ivan. I often think of you and wonder how you are doing since the day’s you, I, and Whitney sat around and traded war stories after exercising. Drop me a line sometime and we’ll do lunch .
Ivan, Doc Capell’s name was Henry Nolan Capell. Mark Blumhagen
I just found this blog and was wondering how to become a subscriber? You may want to visit my facebook page. I have many photographs of circus history that you are welcome to share with your audience. I look forward to looking at all of your blog.
THANKS for your time.
Pete Rosa, 2nd generation showfolk
Venice, FL
Hi Ivan,
I am the art director for the Texas Observer and I am doing a story on Black Diamond. I found a photo on your site that I would like to run in conjunction with the story. Can I credit you? Or your blog? I need to hear back asap at kate@emdashonline.com
Kate
Do you have any contact information for the Great American Circus or the closest relatives of Allan C. Hill??
Hi Ivan, Just left seeing Bill Biggerstaff and he told me the great news. Hope you recover soon and get back to doing the blog . My day is never complete with out coming here for all the great things you post. Take care my friend. Casey
I’m a friend of a friend of yours and loved Legend City . . . take a look at this and help if you can!
https://scottsdale.granicusideas.com/ideas/legend-city-2020
DEAR IVAN, Great blog you have! Doing a great job with it. If I could offfer an historical comment regarding that long RBBB Cat cage, as much as I would not like to correct a fellow historian/cat person, I
Hello Ivan, my mother would like to contact you, wife of Al Mall, Royal International Circus, she told me my father knew you well. I’ve enjoyed the pictures from the Royal International and it’s brought back some fun family memories. Please send me an email on how to best contact you. My regards, Sharon (daughter of Al Mall).
Hi,
My name is Lauren Kramer and I am a 7th grader at Kirksville Middle
School in Missouri. I live in Lancaster, MO and when we had to choose
our National History Day topic, Hall’s legacy intrigued me.
This year’s theme is: Turning Points in History, People, Events, Ideas
and I decided to create a website.
http://59781931.nhd.weebly.com/index.html
I won first place at the regional level, and I will
advance to state on April 20. Before submitting my site for judging, I
need to update and revise the site.
I have already visited Buckles Blog and been to the CHS, If you
wouldn’t mind, I would love for this to be posted for everyone to see
and enjoy. And, if anyone has anymore insight or information about
Hall – that would be great too!
-Lauren Kramer
I am the son of Circus artist Leonard (leonardo) Senate who painted banners and rides and trucks for Jimmy Woods Pan American Show. He did a lot of work for Jungleland in Thousand Oaks California. i was tearing tickets when I was ten, helping my Dad with painting projects. I am looking for some of dad’s old Banners he did.