Capell Bros Circus 1953

Posted By on December 1, 2011

Lois Madden on “Ema” trying to catch up to Norma Capell near the back door.

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Capell Bros Circus 1953

Posted By on December 1, 2011

Norma Capell and Lois Madden Waiting for their call.

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Capell Bros Carnival

Posted By on December 1, 2011

 

This photo was taken from the free circus stage, 1954? In this photo can be seen top right corner, the Spitfire ride. This ride was considered a major attraction on carnivals. It later was converted into a Paratrooper by the Siebrand carnival. The Siebrand’s actually invented the Paratrooper. Their mistake was they did not put a patent on the design. This opened up the market to the professional ride manufactures.  Hence hundreds were manufactured and are quite common to this day.

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Lois Madden

Posted By on December 1, 2011

Lois Madden and her family were performers on the Capell circus. They had been with the show for several seasons. This photo was taken on the season of 1953.

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The Glen Henry Family

Posted By on December 1, 2011

Left is Ethel, Top Patty, right Shirley and Glen. There are two other siblings Gary and Jimmy.

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Beatrice Phi Phi Dante

Posted By on December 1, 2011

When I saw Phi Phi’s act she only worked one chimp and for doing a single it was a very good act. Phi Phi had a great deal of personality and stage presentation.

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Beatrice Phi Phi Dante

Posted By on December 1, 2011

The photo was taken at a stage show in New York early 1950’s. In the late 1950’s she was at Louie Goebel’s Jungleland compound. Phi Phi did not do her act at Jungleland, Just a visit for the winter.

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Moore’s Dogs

Posted By on November 30, 2011

In 1967 Henry’s Chimps had the pleasure of working with the Moore’s on the Polack Bros Circus. Not to long ago I spoke with Bobby Moore. I am happy to report that he is doing just fine.

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Henry’s Riding Dogs & Chimp

Posted By on November 28, 2011

My uncle Glen was soft spoken and a kind man who had always had a smile on his face. However he was a force to be reckoned with if you did him wrong. As a young boy I remember well all my uncles talking about the old days on their father’s circuses. They told some of the funniest stories I have ever heard. I would like to share some of them with you. So I am going to start a new category on the circus blog called “Jackpots.” They will be based on fact and they will not only cover the Henry family but other show folks as well the little “Jackies” that I have heard though out my life. Getting back to my uncle Glen… He was reminding his brother’s Dad, Hap, Todd and Max of the time they had a heyrube with some townees. After the last show of the evening 6 or 7 of these rough necks wanted to stay in the big top. Their hopes were to meet the show girls. It was apparent that all they wanted was a fight. The Henry brothers invited them outside of the tent into the dark which was known territory to the Henry boys. It was to your advantage to be between the tent side wall and the stake line under the guy ropes of the big top. This is where you don’t want to be if you don’t understand the strategy. You will “clothesline” yourself on the ropes and at the same time being punch out. While you are on the ground wondering what happened you, you will realize that you are no match for the young Henry circus boys. To this day I still laugh when I think about it.

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Alfred Court #1

Posted By on November 27, 2011

I believe this photo was taken at the Ringling winter quarters in Sarasota, Fl.

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