Billy Smart Jr.: Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Latest revision as of 21:49, 9 December 2024

The Big Top of Billy Smart's Circus, Cambridge, 2004.

Billy Smart Jr. (born Stanley Smart, 15 October 1934 – 23 May 2005) was a British circus performer and impresario.

Biography

Smart, whose real name was Stanley, was the tenth child and third son of Billy Smart Sr. His father was a showman and fairground proprietor, who bought a circus in 1946. He would travel with the Circus and go to local schools when at a location for a lengthy period. One school was 'All Saints' at Blackheath, London in 1958, the heath being a regular location for the circus. The first appearance of the Billy Smart circus was on 5 April at Southall Park in Middlesex.^[1] The circus toured alongside Smart's funfair; the tents blew down and the circus carried out its performances for two days in the open air. Smart made his circus debut with "Billy Smart's New World Circus" as assistant ringmaster aged 12. He was soon performing with ponies and horses, but became best known later for his elephant acts. In one famous incident, he tamed a herd of performing elephants when they stampeded in the ring. At its peak, Billy Smart's four-masted Big Top could hold over 6,000 people, with a show including hundreds of animals and performers.

Smart, together with his brothers, Ronald Smart and David Smart, took over management of the circus when their father died in 1966 at Ipswich. The circus ceased touring in 1971, but televised performances continued until 1983, drawing audiences of up to 22 million at its height. The Smart Brothers also developed Guernsey Zoo, selling it in 1972, and opened Windsor Safari Park in 1969 before selling it in 1977, for the equivalent of £30m in 2017 (it is now the site of Legoland Windsor). He lost the sight in his right eye in 1978 after cosmetic surgery severed the optic nerve, ending his career as an animal trainer.

In 1985, the Smart circus Winkfield winter quarters were sold for the equivalent of £20m in 2017.

The "Billy Smart's" touring circus was revived by his brother Ronald and nephew Gary in 1993, but Smart concentrated on a second career as a property developer, based in Spain.

In popular culture

In the Netherlands, Billy Smart was known for the annual "Billy Smart's Kinderkerstcircus" ("Billy Smart's Children Christmas Circus") TV broadcast. Dutch singer Fay Lovsky listed Billy Smart in her 1981 hit "Christmas Was A Friend of Mine" as one of her favourite Christmas traditions.

"Circus of Horrors" (1960), directed by Sydney Hayers, was filmed in Billy Smarts Circus. In the picture, it was called the "Schuler" circus. It was used in the film Berserk! (1967), starring Joan Crawford and Diana Dors. In the movie the circus was called the Great Rivers Circus.

References

^ "Billy Smart Jnr". The Stage.

[1] ("BFI Screenonline: Big Top Variety Show (1979-1982))
[2] ("The Telegraph", Billy Smart and Savoy Connection)

Obituaries

Obituary (The Guardian, 24 May 2005)
Obituary (The Telegraph, 24 May 2005)
Obituary (The Times, 24 May 2005)
[3] ("The Herald Scotland", 24 May 2005

External links

[1] "Billy Smart Jnr". The Stage.

[1]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+[[File:Billy Smart Jr in centre, with, from left, David Smart, Nelly Smart, Ronald Smart and Billy Smart Sr.png|thumb|Billy Smart Jr in centre, with, from left, David Smart, Nelly Smart, Ronald Smart and Billy Smart Sr]]
-[[Image:CircusTent02.jpg|thumb|300px|right|The Big Top of Billy Smart's Circus ''[[Cambridge, England|Cambridge]]'' 2004.]]
+[[File:Billy Smart's Circus early 1960s.png|thumb|Billy Smart's Circus early 1960s]]
-'''Billy Smart Jr.''' (15 October 1934 &ndash; 23 May 2005) was a British [[circus (performing art)|circus]] performer and [[impresario]].
+[[File:Billy Smart's Circus Poster.png|thumb|Billy Smart's Circus Poster 1970]]
+[[File:CircusTent02.jpg|thumb|300px|right|The Big Top of Billy Smart's Circus, [[Cambridge, England|Cambridge]], 2004.]]
+'''Billy Smart Jr.''' (born '''Stanley Smart''', 15 October 1934 &ndash; 23 May 2005) was a British [[circus (performing art)|circus]] performer and [[impresario]].
 ==Biography==
+[[File:Billy Smart Junior Grave 1.jpg|thumb|Grave of Billy Smart Jr. at St Peter's Church, [[Cranbourne, Berkshire]]]]
-Smart, whose real name was Stanley, was the tenth child and third son of Billy Smart Sr. His father was a [[showman]] and [[funfair|fairground]] proprietor, who bought a circus in 1946. He would travel with the Circus and go to local schools when at a location for a lengthy period. One school was 'All Saints' at Blackheath, London in 1958, the heath being a popular location for the circus. The first appearance of the Billy Smart circus was on 5 April at Southall Park in Middlesex.<ref>{{cite web|title=Billy Smart Jnr |publisher=''[[The Stage]]'' |url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/feature.php/8039 }}</ref> The circus toured alongside Smart's funfair; the tents blew down and the circus carried out its performances for two days in the open air. Smart made his circus debut with "Billy Smart’s New World Circus" as assistant ringmaster aged 12. He was soon performing with [[pony|ponies]] and [[horse]]s, but became best known later for his [[elephant]] acts. In one famous incident, he tamed a herd of performing [[elephant]]s when they [[stampede]]d in the ring. At its peak, in the days before [[animal rights]] were a popular issue, Billy Smart's four-masted [[Big top (circus)|Big Top]] could hold over 6,000 people, with a show including hundreds of animals and performers.
+Smart, whose real name was Stanley, was the tenth child and third son of [[Billy Smart Sr.]] His father was a [[showman]] and [[funfair|fairground]] proprietor, who bought a circus in 1946. He would travel with the Circus and go to local schools when at a location for a lengthy period. One school was 'All Saints' at Blackheath, London in 1958, the heath being a regular location for the circus. The first appearance of the Billy Smart circus was on 5 April at Southall Park in Middlesex.<ref>{{cite news|title=Billy Smart Jnr |newspaper=[[The Stage]] |url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/feature.php/8039 }}</ref> The circus toured alongside Smart's funfair; the tents blew down and the circus carried out its performances for two days in the open air. Smart made his circus debut with "Billy Smart's New World Circus" as assistant ringmaster aged 12. He was soon performing with [[pony|ponies]] and [[horse]]s, but became best known later for his [[elephant]] acts. In one famous incident, he tamed a herd of performing [[elephant]]s when they [[stampede]]d in the ring. At its peak, Billy Smart's four-masted [[Big top (circus)|Big Top]] could hold over 6,000 people, with a show including hundreds of animals and performers.
-Smart, together with his brothers, Ronald Smart and David Smart, took over management of the circus when their father died in 1966 at [[Ipswich]]. The circus ceased touring in 1971, but televised performances continued until 1983, drawing audiences of up to 22 million at its height. The Smart Brothers also developed [[Guernsey]] [[Zoo]], selling it in 1972, and opened [[Windsor Safari Park]] in 1969 before selling it in 1977 (it is now the site of [[Legoland Windsor]]). He lost the sight in his right eye in 1978 after [[cosmetic surgery]] severed the [[optic nerve]], ending his career as an animal trainer.
+Smart, together with his brothers, Ronald Smart and David Smart, took over management of the circus when their father died in 1966 at [[Ipswich]]. The circus ceased touring in 1971, but televised performances continued until 1983, drawing audiences of up to 22 million at its height. The Smart Brothers also developed [[Guernsey]] [[Zoo]], selling it in 1972, and opened [[Windsor Safari Park]] in 1969 before selling it in 1977, for the equivalent of £30m in 2017 (it is now the site of [[Legoland Windsor]]). He lost the sight in his right eye in 1978 after [[cosmetic surgery]] severed the [[optic nerve]], ending his career as an animal trainer.
+In 1985, the Smart circus Winkfield winter quarters were sold for the equivalent of £20m in 2017.
 The "Billy Smart's" touring circus was revived by his brother Ronald and nephew Gary in 1993, but Smart concentrated on a second career as a property developer, based in [[Spain]].
 ==In popular culture==
-In the Netherlands, Billy Smart was famous for the annual "Billy Smart's Kinderkerstcircus" ("Billy Smart's Children Christmas Circus") TV broadcast. Dutch singer Fay Lovsky listed Billy Smart in her 1981 hit "Christmas Was A Friend of Mine" as one of her favourite Christmas traditions.
+In the Netherlands, Billy Smart was known for the annual "Billy Smart's Kinderkerstcircus" ("Billy Smart's Children Christmas Circus") TV broadcast. Dutch singer Fay Lovsky listed Billy Smart in her 1981 hit "Christmas Was A Friend of Mine" as one of her favourite Christmas traditions.
-His circus was used in the 1967 movie Berserk, starring. Joan Crawford and Diana Dors. In the movie the circus was called the Great Rivers Circus.
-In 1960, the cult classic "Circus of Horrors" directed by Sydney Hayers, was filmed in Billy Smarts Circus. In the picture, it was called the "Schuler" circus. Nice vintage film that shows the giant tent and the strong structural skeleton that it took to support it.
+"[[Circus of Horrors]]" (1960), directed by [[Sydney Hayers]], was filmed in Billy Smarts Circus. In the picture, it was called the "Schuler" circus. It was used in the film ''[[Berserk!]]'' (1967), starring [[Joan Crawford]] and [[Diana Dors]]. In the movie the circus was called the Great Rivers Circus.
-'''<u>Business History</u>'''
-'''History of Billy Smart’s Circus and Windsor Safari Park'''
-Founding of Billy Smart's New World Circus.
-First ever Billy Smart’s Circus appears at Southall Park with Tommy Handley & starts BBC Radio series I.T.M.A.
-Circus tours alongside Smart’s Funfair.
-s/1950s
-Billy Smart is believed to be the first to transport elephants by air, instead of sea.
-Enlarged circus travels independently from Funfair.
-Brand new circular, 2 pole, Big Top appears. This is an innovation: white canvas on the outside and blue on the interior, enhancing lighting effects.
-nd BBC broadcast from circus.
-First of many winter seasons at Bingley Hall, Birmingham.
-The Stoney Tribe of real Red Indians, from Canada, appear with the show.
-New, larger 2 pole tent appears.
-Arrival of the 4 pole, all blue Big Top.
-‘The Wild West' major production number first featured in circus on tour.
-'Circorama' a series of ten performances, produced for the BBC.
-'Circus is home': BBC documentary recorded with commentary by Kay Smart (wife of Ronald Smart, eldest son of Billy Smart).
-/7
-Billy Smart is the subject of ‘This Is Your Life’, a BBC biography programme, presented by Eamonn Andrews.
-'Fifty Years a Showman', BBC programme to celebrate Billy Smart's career.
-Kay Smart guests on 'Desert Island Discs', a BBC Radio biography programme.
-nd Christmas Day TV broadcast successfully transmitted.
-New big top, seating 6,000, arrives. Up to three performances per day, entertaining up to 18,000 people per day.
-The appearance of 'The Arabian Nights' fantasy production number on tour. 'Circus of Horrors' filmed on location at Smart's in London.
-Gala Charity Circus in aid of Variety Club.
-Birma, the favourite of the Smart family’s elephants, walks over Jayne Mansfield and Tommy Steele. Over the years, people, who lie down on the ground, to be walked over by Birma, include Billy Butlin (of Butlins Holiday Camps) and John Peel, a well known BBC radio DJ.
-Jon Pertwee (of ‘Doctor Who’) is ringmaster.
-In the 1960s, Billy Smart Junior’s elephant act is reputed to be the best in the world, with up to 20 elephants in the ring at the same time.
-'Spinners of the Big Top', devoted to the Billy Smart show and written by Pamela Macgregor Morris, is published.
-nd Variety Club Charity Gala.
-Billy Smart's Christmas TV Circus broadcast on Christmas Day by BBC, now established as an annual event.
-BBC award Billy Smart’s Circus the 'Silver Camera' for being the first programme ever to attract 20 million viewers.
-Billy Smart heads consortium, including Cecil and Sidney Bernstein of Granada Television; Billy Butlin of Butlins Holiday Camps; Lord Thomson, a media mogul, who owned The Times and The Sunday Times, as well as many other newspapers; and Sir Leslie Joseph, in an attempt to build a Disney style theme park in the UK. However, after Disney’s conclusion, Billy Smart decided that the technology was not sufficiently enough for a world class theme park in a part of the world with so much rain.
-Bruce Forsyth hosts a 3rd Variety Club Charity Gala.
-The Smart family stages/organises many charity shows up until the 1980s.
-Billy Smart's Circus now regularly appears on BBC Television at Christmas and Easter. Regularly attracts more than 20 million viewers per televised show, throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
-First of a series of winter circuses staged at Queen's Hall, Leeds.
-H.R.H. Princess Margaret and Lord Snowden attend a Gala Charity performance. Approximately £200,000, in inflation adjusted 2016 money, is raised for N.S.P.C.C.
-Stars and Politicians support a charity performance given to 1,000 orphaned children.
-Death of Billy Smart at Ipswich. Ipswich Town lowers all flags to half mast.
-Mrs Billy Smart receives a standing ovation at Charity Circus performance staged at The Royal Albert Hall in aid of National Society for Mentally Handicapped Children.
-Joan Crawford joins Billy Smart’s Circus for production of the film ‘Berserk!’.
-‘Circus of Fears’ movie made with Billy Smart’s Circus.
-BBC 2 broadcast the first ever colour programme on British television: a special production of Billy Smart's Circus.
-Birma, the elephant, walks over six disc jockeys from the new Radio 1 on BBC TV Christmas Circus. Billy Smart’s Circus performs on HMS Albion, next to HMS Victory, in Portsmouth.
-Special BBC TV production to celebrate 200 years of British Circus.
-Critics hail the 1970 touring season as 'the strongest year'. First of three winter seasons staged at Fairfield Hall, Croydon.
-Final tour of Billy Smart's Touring Circus.
-Last performance at Clapham Common in November.
-Estimated that tens of millions of live audience members had been entertained under Billy Smart’s big top by 1971.
-Smarts continue to record three annual circus specials for BBC from Winkfield, near Windsor, UK.
-Death of Mrs Billy Smart.
-Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attends Gala TV performance in the Smarts’ Big Top in Windsor. Show raises approximately £1m for charity, in inflation adjusted 2016 money.
-Performers include Elton John, The Two Ronnies, David Frost and others.
-Other performers, who appeared in this or other Billy Smart’s Television Shows, over the years, included Stanley Baker, Harry Secombe, Olivia Newton John, Mike Yarwood, Leo Sayer, Gladys Knight & the Pips and Telly Savalas (Kojak).
-Billy Smart's TV Circuses now broadcast by ITV at Christmas and Easter.
-First of many 'Big Top Variety Show' series recorded under the Billy Smart Big Top for ITV.
-The Airey Neave Memorial Trust Thames Television Billy Smart’s Variety Show. Programme attached, with some interesting contributions, including one from Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister at the time.
-Final Television Circus from Billy Smart's Circus broadcast Easter 1983.
-Estimated that hundreds millions of people had been entertained by Billy Smart’s television shows, around the world, by this time.
-Auction of remaining circus equipment at Winkfield Winter Quarters, near Windsor. Winter Quarters sold.
-First 'live' performances under Billy Smart's Big Top since 1971 at Richmond Old Deer Park.
-'''Windsor Safari Park (now Legoland Windsor)'''
-In the 1960s, the Smart family bought the St. Leonards Estate, Windsor, from the Dodge family, of Dodge Cars. The Kennedy family spent some time living in this house, during the Second World War, when Joseph Kennedy (JFK’s father) was United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom, from 1938 until late 1940. In 1969 Princess Margaret (sister of Queen Elizabeth II of England) opens Windsor Safari Park, on behalf of the Smart family. Windsor Safari Park attracts up to 2.5m visitors per year.
-Many parties at the house include one attended by The Beatles. Third generation Smart cousins were singing “Hey Jude” in the ball room of the house and then in walked The Beatles, as a surprise, organised by Billy Smart Jnr.
-On a private visit, The Prince of Wales (eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II of England) visited Windsor Safari Park, to swim with the family killer whale, accompanied by Gary Smart (son of Ronald “Ronnie” Smart, eldest son of Billy Smart Snr.).
-Mid 1970s
-The Smart family sells killer whale to SeaWorld, USA. Believed to be first adult killer whale flown across the Atlantic Ocean.
-The Smart family sells Windsor Safari Park in 1977 and, after many years and different owners, Windsor Safari Park is converted into Legoland Windsor, in the 1990s.
 ==References==
-{{reflist}}
+{{Reflist}}
+*[http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/1341867/index.html] ("[[BFI Screenonline: Big Top Variety Show]] (1979-1982))
+*[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hotels/8059808/The-Savoy-reaches-out-for-the-stars.html] ("[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]", Billy Smart and Savoy Connection)
 ===Obituaries===
-*[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1490581,00.html Obituary] (''[[The Guardian]]'', 24 May 2005)
+*[https://www.theguardian.com/uk_news/story/0,3604,1490581,00.html Obituary] (''[[The Guardian]]'', 24 May 2005)
-*[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1490595/Billy-Smart-Jr.html Obituary] (''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'', 24 May 2005)
+*[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1490595/Billy-Smart-Jr.html Obituary] (''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'', 24 May 2005)
-*[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,60-1624855,00.html Obituary] (''[[The Times]]'', 24 May 2005)
+*[https://archive.today/20081012173511/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,60-1624855,00.html Obituary] (''[[The Times]]'', 24 May 2005)
+*[http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12490893.Billy_Smart_Jr/] ("[[The Herald Scotland]]", 24 May 2005
 ==External links==
-*[http://www.billy-smarts-circus.co.uk/history.cfm Billy Smart's Circus]
+*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130222033833/http://www.billy-smarts-circus.co.uk/history.cfm Billy Smart's Circus]
 *[http://www.circopedia.org/Billy_Smart '''Billy Smart Sr.''' in ''Circopedia'']
+*[http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/783f280333a248838f44ee38104f6907 Only Circus attended by a reigning monarch]
+{{Authority control}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Smart, Billy Jr.}}
 [[Category:1934 births]]
 [[Category:2005 deaths]]
-[[Category:Circus proprietors]]
-[[Category:Deaths from lung cancer]]
 [[Category:British entertainers]]
+[[Category:British circus owners]]