Tuesday, August 30, 2016

#17 Chimps


9 comments:

Jim Alexander said...

Myammba's Baboons, or some such spelling for Carmen Hall's great act. Like the Woodcock elephant display in the 70s, we will never see the likes of this again. Mandrill, Drill, Gelada, and Hamadryas baboons, all males and they did serious tricks.

Mr.Lee said...

Fabulous Carmen Hall.. Never before and certainly never again !

Roger Smith said...

You're both right. Carmen's conception and execution of this act will not be re-created. When I first saw it, Carmen commanded a Center Ring solo on the Ringling show.

BARBARA WOODCOCK said...

I always admired Carmen's Act. I don't know if every one knows just how mean those Mandrills & Baboons are. I loved Carmen's act. " FABULOUS." And as you say not to be seen again. I am so impressed with any one that worked with that type of animal. Lee & Judy had a beautiful act. I am not an expert on that breed. I just know that they are mean. I have to be honest, I would be afraid to work with that type of animal. I admire those that did.........Barbara.........

Chic Silber said...


I recall on the Castle Show

Carmen would warn folks not

to make eye contact as that

was considered a challenge

I had great respect for her

& I kept a good distance

I sent Buckles a photo of

a baboon yawning which is

an image to keep in mind

Chic Silber said...


Didn't her brother Irving

work with her with the act

JC Hall said...

Ervin Did work a group of female Boons on RBBB Red
but not as I recall around Carmens boons she was on RBBB blue
Other sister Jeannine AKA Nini trained some boons all females also a nice act

Chic Silber said...


Thanks Jim sorry about

my mistake on his name

I thought he had helped

her on the Castle Show

with the baboons & I

never knew about Nini

Jim Alexander said...

Chic's comment about not staring at or getting too close to the baboons reminded me about a tale Carmen told me about her time on the Blue Unit. People knew to stand away from the baboons. Charly Baumann might have thought the baboons had read his book, or at least saw his business card, and he got closer despite Carmen's warnings. As the big guys ran for the ring one jumped up and bounced off Charly's chest knocking him backward. He gave them room from then on.