Posted By thecircusblog on December 20, 2009
Bob Hope every so often would do one of his TV specials. One day, much to my surprise I got a call from Eddie Rio who was Mr. Hope’s good friend and also mine. Eddie was working on the special doing production and Mr. Hope wanted to do a bit with a chimp. Eddie knew that all chimps can not be trusted around people and wanted to know if I had a chimp that could work with Bob Hope safely. It was just luck that I had a five year old chimp named Little Cathy. She was given to me by some people that no longer could keep her, as their life style had changed. I gladly took her. This little chimp was so sweet and had not mean streak in her. Off to the studio to introduce her to Bob Hope and it was like they were two old friends. Bob took Cathy into his arms and off they went with Bob cracking one liners. It really is a shame that they didn’t shoot this. The bit for Cathy was very simple. The scene was Bob looking though film clips of one of his movies and Cathy walked over and with a pair of scissors, leans over and cuts the film into several pieces. Bob’s reaction was……… Hey! That’s my part in the show. Short fast and sweet and it was over but they loved the bit. I could not use Cathy in the chimp act as she was intimidated by the other chimps. In time it could worked out but I just didn’t have the time. I had a friend who had a children circus and I knew he could use Cathy as she would be perfect with kids. I gave Cathy to my friend Dave Toomey. Somewhere in the mass of pictures I have, there is one of Mr. Hope and Cathy I’ll post when found.
Category: Henry's Chimps |
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Tags: Bob Hope
Posted By thecircusblog on December 20, 2009
To know this man was to learn kindness, humor and humility. A fine circus man and human being.
Category: Circus Clowns |
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Tags: clowns, George Perkins
Posted By thecircusblog on December 20, 2009
Top left to right: Harry Ross, Frank “Pancho” Roche, Mary Henry, Rosie Rojas. Bottom right to left, Ivan Henry, Jenelle Henry, Charlotte Henry, Clifford Henry and.. Pumkin Bonta? If not Pumkin it is one of the Horner brothers. Photo taken in the back yard of the Siebrand Bros Circus, 1954.
Category: Siebrand Bros Circus & Carnival |
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Tags: carnival and circuses, circus families
Posted By thecircusblog on December 20, 2009
A legend …most likely one of the greatest circus clowns of his time. He created his own image and because of shear respect for him no one has copied it. He spent most of his career with Ringling Bros and he was one of the stars in the show you waited to see. In my opinion the show was not complete with out him.
Category: Circus Clowns |
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Tags: circus clowns, Lou Jacobs, Ringling clowns
Posted By thecircusblog on December 20, 2009
Bruno preformed with us on the Al Mall Circus in 1973. I think this was the last time that we worked on the same show together. I do remember he was a great guy and a fine showman.
Category: Royal International Circus |
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Tags: flag pole sitters
Posted By thecircusblog on December 20, 2009
I know him as a brillent performer and his act was first class.
Category: Other Mexican Circus & Performers |
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Tags: gymnastics, hand balancing
Posted By thecircusblog on December 13, 2009
This indeed is a rare photo of Jack Bonavita. He p0sed for this picture sometime in 1905. Later Jack was killed during the act by one of his polar bears. Louis Roth, a great friend of his almost collapsed when he heard the news of Jack ‘s death. Jack Bonavita was the person who encouraged Louis Roth to become a wild animal trainer.
Category: The Big Cat Trainers |
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Posted By thecircusblog on December 13, 2009
In this photo you can barely see Jack. He is seated in the center of all these lions reading a newspaper. This trick is known as the “Old Armchair”, This is the first time I have ever seen this done and I have not ever seen any other trainer duplicate this trick. I would like to add that this picture has not been altered in any way. Jack Bonavita along with many other wild animal trainers worked in the Frank Bostock circus. Photo was taken in 1903.
Category: The Big Cat Trainers |
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Tags: Jack Bonavita
Posted By thecircusblog on December 13, 2009
For over three decades, Terrell Jacobs has thrilled circus fans. This photo was taken on the Cole Bros circus.
Category: Cole Bros Circus, Terrell Jacobs Trainer & Circus |
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Tags: Add new tag, The Lion King
Posted By thecircusblog on December 13, 2009
This is a very rare photo of Frank Bostock. Frank was from England where he had a wild animal circus. Later he did performed in the U.S. for many years and to his credit broke in many wild animal trainers.
Category: The Big Cat Trainers |
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Tags: Frank Bostock, Wild Animal Trainers
