Posted 2/7/2005 7:01:58 PM by Webmaster
News from Ed Limbach viewed 926 times
Monday, February 07, 2005 - Online
Periodically the editors of the Circus Fans Association of America Web Page www.circusfans.org conduct interviews with Past Presidents of the Association. The editors were privileged to chat with Jack Painter about his interest in the circus.
CFA Web Page Editors Interview with CFA Past President Jack Painter
February 5, 2005JACK PAINTER
CFA PRESIDENT
JUNE 1967 TO SEPTEMBER 1968
Jack, we appreciate the fact that you have taken time to chat with us. I know CFA members will enjoy your answers to our questions. Let me begin by asking you when and how did you first become interested in the circus?
I saw my first circus in May 1946. I convinced the senior class of my high school to take the junior class to see the circus in appreciation for the juniors sponsoring the prom. The show was the King Bros. Circus, which included the Christiani Family. Show location was Oak Hill, West Virginia. I remember most Freddie Canestrelli on the rolla-rolla (this was before Ortans became part of the act). The lot must have been not to their liking for the Christiani Riding act did not work. They did do the teterboard act-actually two acts that combined in the center ring for the featured tricks. Also remembered: an aerialist doing the upside down loop walk and another performer doing a slide for life on his head. After that experience, I was hooked on circus.
After all these years I am impressed that you remembered the King Bros. Circus performance with such clarity. Did your father or mother influence you or did your interest in the circus come on your own?
Actually I think it is fair to say the reverse is true. I influenced my parents in the circus. You see my parents grew up in the coal field area of West Virginia and never to my knowledge saw a circus until I took them. The big traveling show them was Silas Green (from New Orleans). I took them to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and Pollack Bros. Circuses. I also got my mother on my Trapeze and Daddy on my tight wire.
While going to college did you find time for your circus interest?
Circus going was limited while going to college and two years in the Navy but it did include the Ringling show in Pittsburgh and the Hagen Show (Howard Suez) in Portsmouth, Virginia. The movie “The Greatest Show on Earth” was released about this time and I saw it 12 times in about 3 months-once in a regular theater, 10 times on my ship and once through binoculars watching it on another ship since I had duty on my ship that night.
From your perspective how has CFA changed over the last 37 years?
I believe the CFA is about the same strength overall now as when I was President. Then, as now, we had our ups and downs but have always managed to rise up and fight for circuses. Currently, the big issue is the animal “rights” activists and many of our members have been active in attending open hearings and letter writing.
Jack, where do you see the American Circus Industry heading?
I think the circus industry will survive in various formats-hopefully forever. Unfortunately large animal displays will I think become fewer and in most cases smaller. Production and spectacle are nice but lets hope there will always be a place for featuring top quality acts. Perhaps an appreciation for the past by future generations will create a demand for the traditional circus.
Do you have any concerns about the CFA in general?
Well, as the new election for CFA national officers approaches, I’d like to see many more members exercise their right to vote by thinking of it as an obligation to the organization.
We sincerely appreciate your willingness to share with us some of your great experiences involving the circus. Before we close is there anything else you would like to share with us?
While working on my Master’s Degree at West Virginia University, I learned to ride a unicycle. I purchased a tight wire rig and learned to perform on it. A little juggling was added to the mix along with action of the trampoline. Performances included several CFA KooKoo Clubs, and the Great Circus Parade in Milwaukee.
Jack, thank you.
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