1n 1945 Floyd King bought the Bud Anderson Circus and much of Clyde Beatty's truck show. In 1946 Floyd took the circus out as the King Bros. Circus, this was the first time that the King Bros. Circus Title was used.
In 1949 Floyd partnered with Lucio Cristiani and the King Cristiani title was born. The partnership continued continued until 1954 when Arnold Maley took over Cristiani's interest. 1954 was a very good season but in 1955 they enlarged the show to a 70 truck circus. This proved too much to handle and in 56 they divided the show into two smaller shows but both closed early.
The Bob Snowden Era:
After a successful season with the Duke of Paducah Circus, 1960 the following year 1961 Bob Snowden took out the King Show.
After Bob Snowden's edition of the King Bros Circus, the show was acquired by the "Acme Circus Operating Corporation", who also owned the "Clyde Beatty Cole Brothers Circus" and the "Sells and Gray Circus".
In the winter of 1961 - 1962 after the acquisition by Acme, the circus went on a winter tour, (see photo below). Many acts from the Clyde Beatty Cole Bros. Joined the show for this excursion. Rex Williams came with the CBCB elephants bringing the total elephants on the show to 15.
Snowden continued to manage the circus through 1965. In 1966 long time showman James M. Cole became the show's manager.
Currently the title "King Bros Circus" is owned and operated by Ned Toth (nephew of circus owner Frank McClosky). Toth aquired the titled from Jerry Collins (the last surviving partner of the Acme Circus Operating Corporation), in 1980. |
