Although the show
discarded its railroad equipment almost fifty years ago, the Clyde
Beatty-Cole Bros Circus still remains a nostalgic attraction dating
back to the time when circus day represented something special to
'hometown America'.
Throughout the many changes and problems, the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros
Circus continued to represent the golden age of the big 'Three Ring
Circus'.
Its gaily decorated trucks have a
resemblance to the old mid-sized railroad circuses while inside the
big top the performance contained all the ingredients associated
with the great American circuses - wild animals, horses, animal acts
of all sorts, acrobats, trapeze, tightrope walkers of various
styles, clowns, human cannonballs and, of course, the elephants.
This book covers the fabulous
career of the world famous Clyde Beatty and the various circuses he
owned, plus those that used his name during the 1930s, 40s and 50s.
This is followed by in-depth
coverage of various owners, tours, equipment, performers,
executives, animals, mishaps and other interesting information,
starting in 1956 when the show was converted from railroad to truck
transportation. Two years later Cole Bros was added to the Clyde
Beatty Circus title. The show used the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros Circus
title until 2004 when the Clyde Beatty portion was eliminated and
elephants were dropped from the performance, signalling the end of
an era.
Author Bob Goldsack, is considered
one of the most prolific writers presently recording the history of
outdoor entertainment in the United States.
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