This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. Made accessible through a grant from the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation and Photo Friends.
Photograph was edited for publication purposes Mabel Stark, born Mary Haynie, was a successful animal trainer, with a career working with tigers and other wildcats spanning over fifty years. One of only a handful of women trainers to work with big cats, she was a featured act in many shows and circuses including Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus and later as a trainer at Jungleland in Thousand Oaks.; The Polack Bros. 17th annual circus was held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Photograph caption dated April 29, 1957 reads, "Mabel Stark, right, of Thousand Oaks, called the world's greatest woman wild-animal trainer, drops in for chat with Patricia Jamison who has animal act with Polack Bros. Circus. Miss Stark recently returned after 3 1/2-year stay in Japan."
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;26 x 21 cm. Photographic prints
Stark, Mabel Polack Bros. Circus Shrine Auditorium (Los Angeles, Calif.) Circus--California--Los Angeles Circus performers--United States Animal trainers--United States Women--California--Los Angeles Leopards Working animals--California--Los Angeles Animal cages--California--Los Angeles Costumes Whips--California--Los Angeles University Park (Los Angeles, Calif.) Group portraits Portrait photographs Valley Times Collection photographs
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