Friday, August 27, 2010

From Bill Powell #4


Gee_Gee_Sam_Bee_1972002, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.


CIRCUS IN A BOX

In the years after Gee Gee and Bucky Steele married they embarked on assembling several animal acts. In the span of 4 years they acquired 6 elephants, 12 ponies, 5 bears, the existing 7 Alaskan Husky dogs, a cougar, a leopard, and a mixed cat act with 8 tigers and lions. There may also have been a goat in the mix.

I guess one could say they were pioneers in "consolidation." During this time of empire building for Gee Gee and Bucky I was in my late teens and worked in the "family" enterprise. Hard work and diligence paid off with my quickly being appointed Sr. Vice President of Animal Stewardship of Steele enterprises. This esteemed position required that I rise from bed at 4 a.m. every day to begin my daily duties of "stewarding" the 40 or so animals entrusted to my care. My department included "moi" and Frenchy, a 75 year old Canadian who was deaf and could barely lift a shovel and had an aversion to soap and water.

There were no other staff for the enterprise other than Red Hartman who was a "trainer" and thus left the feeding and cleaning to my staff.

My pay was room and board and an education in the finer points of all things circus.

During this period we trained the 6 elephants, ponies, a leapord, an elephant cougar routine, and the mixed cat act. The husky's and bears were already trained.

It was an interesting time in my life as the days started well before dawn and usually ended around 10 p.m. after the evening care of 40 animals. During this time I also managed to attend and graduate from college.

Bucky would sell the amalgamation of acts to anyone in need of a complete animal package. We performed with Gatti, George Michaels Great London Circus, Sam Bee, Sid Kellner and did a move for Disney. I eventually worked my way towards the front end of the animals and performed the elephant and cougar act.

Bucky was quite military and had a sort of drill sergeant approach to things like motivation of his staff (me and Frenchy). After each day of working for the "family" enterprise college looked better and better in my young view of the world. In fact going to Vietnam was looking like an attractive alternative after a while.

Here are a few photos from a circus called Sam Bee during this era. I think Jimmy Hall and Roger Zoppe can relate to those wonderful days on Haymarket road in Dallas, Texas.

Bill Powell

27 comments:

Chic Silber said...

Wonderful (& colorful) story of

your background Bill as I'm sure

many of us had no idea of it

I certainly wouldn't have guessed

it when I met you on Big Bertha

in the 70s when you worked for

Alan Bloom in marketing

I also didn't know what happened

to Red after CBCBC Thanks

Chic Silber said...

Is that Red on the cover

Bill Powell said...

Chic,

That is the one and only Red Hartman....the man who took over for Beatty.

Red reminded me of his "heritage" daily and often. When he had a few beers he would tell the story of how he most of the fingers on his right hand. He was an interesting man.

bill

Chic Silber said...

I was around when that "accident"

happened & I'd be interested in

the version of the story he told

Was Cathy mentioned by the way

I learned quite a few things from

Red including how to braid whip

crackers of flax & beeswax & I

have made many different styles

for Broadway shows as well as

for circus acts (& still do)

Best to you & your family

Chic Silber said...

Red might have been the most

patient man I ever knew in the

training of animals

Aside from the gruf exterior he

had he could show (in private)

a more sensitive side in dealing

with animals that was remarkable

I'm sure you know that he drove

Beatty's Airstream over the road

much of the time often with him

I admired the man although I

knew very little about him

Anonymous said...

Joe "Red" Hartman once explained to me that he lost the fingers "three sheeting" (bragging) to catch the eye of a lady.

According to Red he was taking a pretty young lass on a tour of the cat cages and stuck his hand into a cage to pet a male lion. While petting the lion Red glanced back to his admiring lady friend. The lion was hungry or not amused with Reds affection and in either case proceeded to bite off his fingers.

He was left with a couple stubs having lost the middle two forefingers slightly below the second knuckle.

Judging from the look of his hand not much of a repair job was done.

This is the account that Red offered to me after a six pack of Old Milwaukee.

I am sure the truth lies somewhere in between legend and fact.

Chic Silber said...

Pretty much the story except it

was a tiger named Prince that he

(in a slightly enebriated state)

confused for Princess & the lass

was Cathy a Digger Pugh girl

I believe it occured during a

weekend when the on call doctors

covering emergencies at the

DeLand hospital were 3rd line

hence the crude repair

This accident might just have

given Dave Hoover an opportunity

I was told that the 1st offer

was for Dave to work Beatty's

cats but he declined & used

his own with new additions

Wade G. Burck said...

I thought Red fed his finger's to one of the Paramount Bears? I enjoyed Red a lot. Last time I saw him,(Billy will recall this) was when I got him ticket's for the Ringling show in Dallas. After the show I helped him carry his oxygen tank up the long, steep ramp so he could have a cigarette.
Wade Burck

J C Hall said...

Shemp Howerd of the three stooges look alike (Red Hartman)
I guess it was the late 50's around the Hunt Bros Circus, My earliest recollection of this gent.
Truly a character by no other means.
I experienced some colorful events growing up around Mr.Hartman.Those are some fond memories.

Roger Smith said...

For some background for 1964, Beatty's cancer was missed by the Philadelphia doctors of Prince Ranier and Grace. I was there to break in on his act for his long-wanted retirement, but when the cancer progressed as aggressively as it did, surgery became urgent in August, and there was no time for me to advance. It is not how Beatty wanted things. In his letters to me, he stated his intent to replace Red. As it was, he left explicit instructions for Frank Orman, his veteran animal man George Scott, me, and Red, that the tough lion, Henry, and all the tigers were to be left out. Red was to have only the remaining 9 lions. In the few days before he had to leave, Beatty drilled Red on the lions. The act was Caesar's sit-up, Duke's barrel, and the lay-down. The door-bouncing lion, Pharoah, simply ignored Red and trotted to the tunnel. I was made Gun Boy, but felt anything I did was for Mr. Beatty until his return. Red crowed loudly about his "big break" and denied shame about his celebrating while his boss was fighting cancer. On August 16, Frank Orman came back to 78 Wagon with a wire from Beatty, still in Billings Hospital, instructing me to come to Chicago. In Room 323-S, I was saddened to see he'd lost a third of his weight, looking smaller than Clyde, Jr. I picked up the Cadillac from Mrs. Beatty, drove to Rochester MN, hooked up the Airstream, and parked it at Weeping Willow Trailer Park, near O'Hare Airport. I visited that day with the Beattys at the Shore Drive Motel, and rejoined the next day in Crawfordsville, Indiana. In my absence, Tommy Clarke had worked back-up, advising he had to take Red by the arm, hold him up, and lead him to the arena door. He said, "Welcome back. He's all yours now." Later in the season, Frank Orman took me aside and told me he had consulted with Beatty's doctors, who told him Beatty was in his last weeks and would never return. From this conference, I went back to 78, and walked into Red in a typical drunken rage at some prop guy. I made the decision to leave.

Beatty surprised everyone by making it back to open in '65. But the toll was taken, and his final return home came in May.

Bill Johnston and George Scott both told me about the fingers. The last of the Beatty cats were in the truck, sitting in limbo. Hoover was coming on the show, and Red was out. Neither source named Cathy Brooks, but said Red found some fleabag in a back alley bar, and was showing off, chucking Princess under the chin, when she sank her claws in his arm, pulled him up to the bars, gripped his hand in her teeth, and tore his fingers off with a snap of her head.

In Thousand Oaks, Jungleland bought the remnants of the act, and Tim Mitchell was dispatched to Florida to bring it back. When Tim drove in, everyone went out to check the arrival. Tim said, "Anyone know this guy?" Tim directed us around to the other side. For his introduction to Jungleland, Red had fallen out of the truck and passed out drunk on the parking lot. He was left there while the cats were shifted into their new home cages. For the record, seven cats came to us from the Beatty act: Lions Caesar, Duke, Congo, Sultan, and 28-year-old Simba. The tigers were Princess and Judy. Their final disposition is a story for another time.

Even the operators of Jungleland we had at the time, at last had enough. Red was fired, when he howled that he couldn't be, after 15 months for his customary rages, unintentionally funny threats, and perpetual drunkenness, way too often in front of the public.

From there, Chet Juszyk got him on props, on Castle. A number of us know that story, too.

Ole Whitey said...

There have been number of statements about Red Hartman on this blog, most of them favorable. Knowing that some will not appreciate what I'm doing, I feel that the readers should be aware of two comments I have copied verbatim from original letters in my files written and signed by Clyde Beatty himself to two other well-known trainers regarding Hartman.

Letter to one trainer: "He will never make a good animal trainer. His main weakness is that he likes to drink and that is why I'm planning to make a change."

To another trainer: "You know as well as I do that he's not dependable and has kept me in a constant stew all summer along with the circus management because of his drinking, loud mouth, arguing, cussing and brawling. This leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth. "

I didn't know Red personally so have no reason to offer this other than to make Beatty's opinion of him known.

The second comment probably explains why the management of Beatty-Cole went with Dave Hoover instead of Hartman in 1966.

Anonymous said...

Permit me a question. Could Simba be 28 years old? Perhaps you meant 18, which would still be quite old for a lion. Regards, Dennis J. Younger

J C Hall said...

To Ole White
Noted personally you did not know Red Hartman. The Beatty letters you claim to have of him mentioning his dislikes in regards to Red.
If you are possibly wondering why Mr.Clyde kept him around,
I would not hesitate to say that on Red's good days he would be the type of guy you would want on the outside of the cage covering your back. I Recall visiting the show and seeing Red and Junior keeping the ball rolling on the outside of the cage during a performance.
Red was a likable Cuss and brings to mind An old saying
(She was only a bootlegger's daughter but we loved her still)

Sincerely J.C.Hall

Chic Silber said...

Thanks Jimmy

Although I never considered Red

to be a friend we were certainly

quite friendly & I was able to

spend many many hours with him

over several years watching him

(sometimes) at his best while

patiently training cats

I was aware of his proclivity

for the sauce (he was a major

contributor to Tommy's Blue Room

Charitible Trust) but even when

just slightly impaired he seemed

to function quite well

If all the folks I've known in

this industry were red lighted

for similar infractions we would

have seen its demise long ago

Some negativity is likely to be

based upon sour grapes (or sour

mash blends)

May he rest in peace

J C Hall said...

Ditto on the thanks Chic
Plagiarizing a Paul Harvey quote
(And now you know the rest of that
story)
PS. RIP I hope.

Roger Smith said...

To Dennis Younger: George Scott told me in '64 that Simba was the oldest Beatty lion at 26. In late 1965, when he arrived in Thousand Oaks, he was 27. With Red showing up hungover at noon, missing the morning cage work, and staggering through the shows, the last vestiges of the act deterioriated. The office took an offer for 30 of our lions to go to Lion Country Safaris, then just forming. Without hesitation, and certainly without sentimentality, it was decided these last Beatty lions would be among those sold. Twenty went to a park in Australia, and ten went to West Palm Beach, trucked over by Benny Bennett and Tony Gentry. It was late 1967, making Simba 28, since we believed the knowledge of George Scott. Simba was very creaky then, usually drifting off to sleep on his seat, and slow to come down into the laydown, but still a game old showbum, and I loved him. Your question is understandable if you're thinking of lions in the field who are discarded old men around 12 and dead soon after. It would be interesting to have readers discuss the longevity of animals they have known.

Ole Whitey, known as the leading Clyde Beatty research biographer, does not "claim" to have the Beatty letters he quotes. He has them. The first quote is from Beatty's letter of February 21, 1964, to me in his responce to my letter of application. The second quote is from a letter to a trainer most blog readers knew, whom Ole Whitey can name at his own descretion.

A top assistant to this second trainer told me this about the early inklings of red-lighting. Drinking wasn't the lead factor. To confirm the incidents Beatty listed that wranged the show management, I witnessed Red's ill-advised rants in the face of Frank Orman. Then, on the day Red was to take over, he was arrested for shoplifting an expensive sweater from a nearby store. The resultant embarrassment to the show became a keen factor in determining Red's tenure. The advent of Dave Hoover in 1966 was a fortuitous, read saving, moment indeed.

So, no--sour grapes would hardly be the case here, and it doesn't take sour mash to say so.

J C Hall said...

To Chic
No sour grapes or sour mash???????

Wade G. Burck said...

Here is a clip from Jeanette Rix of Red working the Paramount Bears.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZbURkB_4_0

Wade Burck

Chic Silber said...

Let's move on Jimmy as it seems

that I might have hit a nerve

Casey McCoy Cainan said...

Move on Chic??

I was just getting the aroma of a white zin...to go with my glass of Wild Turkey...lol

Aside from the shoplifting...wait no....getting CAUGHT shoplifting it doesn't sound like this man committed any sin that was not perfectly acceptable at one time in this industry. There are plenty of "Circus Heroes" who fought long hard battles with the bottle. And fighting and raising hell on a show was still very common when I was a kid, so I am sure it was common back in Reds day. I never saw Red work. I have heard stories about Red my whole life, some funny, some very sad. I do know that several people who are still out here playing circus TODAY credit Red with their start, namely Larry Allen Dean, and Doug Terranova. I also know the guy seemed to steadily have a job some where or another training or working a cat act. Which I think says he was at least some what handy in a cage (varying degrees by proof rating of specific day) So I myself am leaning to sour grapes.

Chic Silber said...

Many thanks Casey but I hope you

can understand that your words

are sufficient evidence to gain

inductance into our elite society

of "SOTPOS" otherwise known as

"Stirrers Of The Pot Of S---"

Welcome brother

I think I may be next in line

for some exhalted title

Chic Silber said...

As I recall it seems shoplifting

(or dextrous procurement) became

an occupational hazard as a result

of the foolish placement of show

lots adjacent to shopping centers

(an arguable defense)

Casey McCoy Cainan said...

Not intentionally SOTPOS Chic. You just don't hear much about Red on the blog, and I would hate for his 15 mins of fame here to be denied over small time infractions. I understand the guy didn't set the world on fire with his skills as a trainer, but in an industry that gives accolades for being a "trouper" and being "with it and for it" I hate the thought of Red only getting an honorable mention. This guy was such a trouper I knew who he was long before the internet existed, can't honestly say that of his detractor.

Chic Silber said...

You are excused from membership

at this time Casey but I'm betting

you will join up in later years

Red was not much of a presenter

as he had little (if any) charm

or showmanship but I give him

a lot of credit for training

Wade G. Burck said...

Chic,
I would like to give this SOTPOS deal a try. I'm new at it so be easy on me. In regards to giving him "credit for training", what training are you referring to exactly?
Wade Burck

Bill Powell said...

Since my original comments sort of started what now appears to the longest comment string in the history of Buckles Blog I am compelled to comment further on Red.

I worked with Red for 3 years when he was with Bucky and my mom. He was married, or living with an Italian lady named Pauline.

She was much younger than Red and I recall they lived in the "crummy" directly behind the diesel cab that pulled the elephant truck.

To be honest he had good days and bad days but I recall that he was a good hearted old show guy and would do anything for you. He liked my mom and they got along pretty well so by default I was "ok" with him. Red was pretty fun to be around with all his stories and antics.

One winter Bucky asked Red to train, or co train, a mixed cat act. So we start collecting tigers and lions and have training sessions every day on Haymarket Road outside of Dallas.

Training cats never appealed to me as the thought being close to something that could eat me was somewhat scary. Thus my interest level in helping reflected my caution.

The training seemed to be coming along pretty well. All the cats took their seat and there was a barrel roll and a sit up and lay down. Bucky even draped a young tiger over his shoulders and walked around the arena.

One day Bucky asked Red to train a bouncing tiger like Beatty used to do with the big male lion. Red resisted and said it was not such a good idea. He informed Bucky that Lions bounce and Tigers do not bounce. Bucky insisted that you could teach a tiger to bounce. Red showed Bucky the technique on a Lion and stepped out of the way.

Bucky stepped in the cage all macho and tried the same thing with a tiger and the next thing we saw was the pissed off tiger chasing Bucky up the side of the arena cage. Bucky made it over the side but emerged bloody and had a few scars to show for it.

Red sat in the corner smoking a cigarette and shaking his head watching the whole scene unfold.

That seemed to put a cooling effect on Bucky's desire to produce a mixed cage act. The effort was ill fated and I don't recall that it ever made it out of winterquarters.

The cats were later sold or traded away and I was relieved to have 8 less animals to feed and clean up after.

Hence, ever since I have referred to the act as "ill fated" due to the fact that it never got off the ground.

I rest my case

Bill Powell

Anonymous said...

I cant remember my password to sign in but I am trying to do a family history of the Hunts and I would like to know anything you can remember about Marvin Case and Hazel.
From
Marsha Hunt Jones