SNAPSHOTS: GIL GRAY CIRCUS
The first snapshot is Dave Hoover in 1961, Dave had bought the Gil Gray Cat Act, that Lou Regan had worked the year before. It consisted of the aluminum arena, the open side semi trailer, and three Lions, 2 females, Sister & Nell, and a male named Menalek(Spl?), if I remember right the male went to Pat Anthony, and wound up a terrific door cat. The bottom picture is Karli Peterson, who worked the Gil Gray animals, including Gil's elephants, Minnie, Tillie, & Jennie,(Thank You Buckles, for the names)
posted by 24-HOUR-MAN | 9:13 PM
7 Comments:
This photo of Dave Hoover sure does not look like I remember him in the 60s. Looks too young.
Joe Lemke & partner Marvin Varner at one time did a "spin off" on Norbu,probably the first, or at least one of the first of many. He of course was furious, I guess forgetting that he had originally been one of the Gutis. Joe in Frank Buck attire would enter in a mini Model T with Marvin's wife riding beside him dressed Gay 90's, pulling a little trailer with a Gorilla in a cage, etc. etc. etc.
Great stuff, Bill
You gotta love those ring curbs!
Any photos of Norbu, the Lemke & Varner version or the Guttis?
I've seen the Guttis on Ed Sullivan and I have to say that it must have been the most well timed, fast paced piece of circus comedy I've ever seen!
The sections in that ring were straight, but not so long to lose the ring effect. Gil spent lots of $ on paint, yard goods, and sequins & feathers. It was aptly named "The Show Beautiful".
The Gutis were another once in a lifetime act. The best thing was once it started it didn't stop till it was over.
Gil told me about the cat act on his show during the Disney era ,the cats came from the Alfred Court act. Joe Horworth presenter. Also leopards, Karly worked were the infamous Pinky and Sheba. The last year I worked on the road route, the livestock / presenter was, in Tibor Alexander's words, Bucky De Steel.
You could watch the Gutis every day, every show and it made you laugh every time !
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