Did anyone enjoy the circus as a kid? I grew up near a small town in New Jersey. When the circus came to town my parents took my brother and me and our neighbors took their two daughters to see the show. We sat on low bleachers. One of the neighbor girls was pleading with her parents to buy her something (I forget what), not watching the show, when there was a loud boom. She jumped at the sudden noise and fell through the bleachers, landing on the ground below. At the time I thought it was pretty funny how she was there one second and gone the next -- best magic trick I'd ever seen. Fortunately, she was unhurt but I think it ruined the experience for her and it's all I remember of the show to this day.
I went to the circus once that I can remember. I felt that it was a dark and scary place using colors and music to hypnotize the crowd. I thought the animals were sad. I did not like it nor did I want to return.
1
Circuses give children the idea that performing animals love to do the unnatural things that they are trained to do, and it's good fun. They don't, and it's not. My heart breaks whenever I remember a Reuters picture of a malnourished monkey somewhere in China, with a iron chain around her neck, couching in terror on a little bicycle when her trainer approached her with a leather belt, ready to give her another thrashing for failing to keep her balance on the two-wheeled apparatus.
Parents should think twice before taking their kids to these animal shows.
Parents should think twice before taking their kids to these animal shows.
7
as a boy I was clueless, as an adult I agree with you, MP
5
this piece "rough night..." is a terrific example of mr. pryor's work and a wonderfully evocative memory. he hardly needs a plug but if readers google his name and come across "one foot planted firmly in the nest" (also in the times from 2012) you'll come across another gem.
bravo mr. pryor.
bravo mr. pryor.
4
thank you, mhq, means a lot.
2
Around 1982 or so, my wife and I treated our two nephews to the Ringling Bro. Circus at the "old" Boston Garden. We had Loge seats and could see the entire layout, the caged animals, etc. We sat watching the first act, quarter horses running in a small circle with acrobats riding on their backs. About 100 feet away there were caged lions and tigers, scheduled for the next act. We were horrified to witness one of the trainers prodding, then spearing a beautiful white tiger seemingly for no reason. The tiger cowered and withdrew to a corner of the small cage. The trainer aggressively speared the tiger again and again. Tears rolling down the cheeks of our nephews caught my eye. We stood up and left the arena. We had three children who enjoyed Cirque du Solier, "the circus with no animals."
7
I remember going to the circus at MSG in the late 50's and having the same flash light on a plastic cord. Swinging it around and hitting another kid in the head with the flash light….
5
The swinging flashlight must have been a tradition of sorts, as I saw them
at the Circus @ MSG in the early 70s.
at the Circus @ MSG in the early 70s.
3
An ode to a first and last visit to the circus.
Tune of Send in the Clowns
Since we're not rich
No cash to spare
Some dads bought seats near the ground
We're way up there.
Where are the cabs?
Oh look at this!
Cool, I suppose
Lights that keep spinning around
Mine hits my nose.
We need a cab
Where are the cabs?
When I shout out, Dad sees my face
Knowing that he's got to get me right out of that place
Stops by an exit where I'm treated by a nice nurse.
She's seen it all.
Could have been worse.
I hear my Dad
Sorry there, son!
I thought that we'd find the circus to be such fun.
Now let's get a cab
We must find a cab.
The circus is done.
Tune of Send in the Clowns
Since we're not rich
No cash to spare
Some dads bought seats near the ground
We're way up there.
Where are the cabs?
Oh look at this!
Cool, I suppose
Lights that keep spinning around
Mine hits my nose.
We need a cab
Where are the cabs?
When I shout out, Dad sees my face
Knowing that he's got to get me right out of that place
Stops by an exit where I'm treated by a nice nurse.
She's seen it all.
Could have been worse.
I hear my Dad
Sorry there, son!
I thought that we'd find the circus to be such fun.
Now let's get a cab
We must find a cab.
The circus is done.
28
A nice riff on Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins. Bravo!
4
Perfect, Freddie! Thanks.
4
Mr Pryor, you have captured so well what it's like to be a little kid! Did you ever get to go back to the circus when you were a little older?
9
Thank you, Millie, and no I never went back when I was young. I did take my daughter when she was in kindergarten.
3
Everybody owned one of those flashlights. Once I bought a chameleon. He lived about six months. Liked celery, lettuce, and hamburger ? I think they sold Turtles too. The first few times (ages 6-9) we went to circus were on a weekday afternoon. Got to play hooky from school. We had seats at ground level right on the aisle where the clowns came out to run on to the floor. One of the clowns would always play with us for a minute. Turned out, on further review, that one of the clowns was a patient of my father the doctor. Loved the clowns and the elephants. I was always scared that one of the trapeze artists would get hurt. Never worried about the lion tamers being eaten.
The last time I went to the circus we went on a Friday Night and sat higher up. At age 11 I probably was starting to grow out of the circus. Truth is I missed our interaction with the clowns. I liked Felix Adler the best.
Only bad thing about the Circus was that it always screwed up the Rangers'
home Stanley Cup Playoff schedule. At least did in 1956-1958 and 1962 when I first started being a fan.
I bet you could find one of those flashlights on eBay.