Rellen Johnson and Bus Owen were partners for many years, doing “Horizontal Bars” and “Casting act” together.
This film (taken by Frank Clark) in the late 1950’s, is an example of this most difficult work. Rellen Johnson was the “Catcher” and Bus Owen was the “Flyer”.
Thru the 1950’s, Frank (Clark) and “Johnson & Owen” worked on many Circus shows together. Rellen and Frank became very good friends and this friendship lasted for over 50 years. In those early years, when Frank first became a performer, Rellen took him under his wing. Encouraging him, answering endless questions and teaching him how to splice rope and cable.
Rellen was a mentor to Frank, whether it was passing on knowledge on the technicalities of tricks, or how to design and build rigging or, just to believe in yourself to the tune of “I can do it!”
Sound! Approximately 2:45 minute.