Circus Queen and Tinker Bell: The Memoir of Tiny Kline - Softcover

Kline, Tiny

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0252075102 ISBN 13: 9780252075100

Publisher: University of Illinois Press, 2008

Synopsis

This engaging memoir follows the life and career of circus performer Tiny Kline (1891-1964) from the burlesque house to the circus tent, and on to Disneyland and the silver screen. While working for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Kline became well known for her signature "slide for life" stunt, an "iron jaw" act in which she slid to the ground while dangling from trapeze rigging by her teeth. Kline renewed her spectacular acrobatics at the age of seventy when she played Tinker Bell in the "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks show at Disneyland. In that same year, she also began writing her life story.

Extensively annotated by Janet M. Davis, this memoir documents twentieth-century changes in popular amusements, while providing fresh insight into circus personalities such as John Ringling, acrobat Lillian Leitzel, and big cat trainer Mabel Stark, as well as mainstream entertainers like Florenz Ziegfeld, John Philip Sousa, and others. Kline also provides intimate details about the daily machinations at the circus, including fascinating accounts of its sexual politics, racial dynamics, risky nature, and labor relations.

About this title

About the Author

Janet M. Davis is an associate professor of American studies and history at the University of Texas, Austin, and the author of The Circus Age: Culture and Society under the American Big Top.

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Illinois Press
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0252075102
• ISBN 13: 9780252075100
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 376
• Editor: Davis Janet M.