The fictional Benzini Brothers circus was first established in the book and movie adaptation of “Water for Elephants.” A young veterinary student who joins the circus and falls in love with the wife of the cruel animal trainer is the protagonist of the story. Although the story is fictional, it is based on actual incidents that took place during the beginning of the 20th century.
The animal trainer August, who is based on Charles “Chick” Gaylord in real life, is one of the story’s primary protagonists. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was one of the circuses for whom Gaylord, a famed animal trainer, worked. He was notorious for his cruel treatment of animals, and animal rights campaigners frequently attacked his practices.
Carlyle, who is intended to be Bailey, the co-founder of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, is another figure in the narrative. Carlyle is based on Bailey’s real-life persona, despite the lack of evidence that he ever worked for the Benzini Brothers circus.
In reality, Bailey was a consummate performer who was renowned for his marketing prowess and capacity to draw sizable crowds. He was a smart businessman who contributed to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus’s success. Although he was not a direct participant in the mistreatment of animals, he was well known for ignoring his staff’s actions.
One of the characters in “The Greatest Showman” is Anne Wheeler, a trapeze performer who is portrayed as having a physical impairment. She is portrayed in the movie as having an ailment that leaves her legs permanently bent at the knees. Although this illness is fictitious, it was based on actual performers who suffered from comparable impairments.
The character of the woman with the beard in “The Greatest Showman” is based on Annie Jones, a real-life individual. In the late 19th and early 20th century, Jones, a bearded woman, appeared in numerous circuses. She was later praised for her distinctive appearance and her capacity to amuse audiences, despite the fact that her condition had at first been regarded as a bizarre oddity.
In conclusion, even though “The Greatest Showman” and the Benzini Brothers circus are fictional, they are based on actual individuals and events. These stories’ characters are a reflection of the charismatic individuals who helped the circus become such a significant aspect of American society in the early 20th century. It’s crucial to keep in mind the impact these acts had on our cultural heritage, despite the fact that animals and performers in the circus were frequently subjected to cruel and exploitative treatment.