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Post-War Backstage Stables and Ring Scenes, Ascot & Olympia

Hair-combing chimps, performing elephants and a toothsome cheetah feature in this film of the Bertram Mills Circus.

Amateur film 1955 4 mins Silent

From the collection of:

Logo for London's Screen Archives

Overview

This short film of the Bertram Mills Circus mainly features backstage footage, showing animals being fed and trained, including elephants, a chewing cheetah, horses and chimps, one of which simulates combing its hair while looking in a mirror. There are also scenes of horses training in the ring. The Bertram Mills Circus performed each Christmas at Olympia and wintered at Ascot.