Keller & His Mountain Lion - Here Tame This

An art professor at Bloomsburg State Teachers College, George Keller began his circus career when a college friend mailed him a mountain lion with a note that said "Here Keller, Tame This".

That note would later become the title of his book, but only after Keller trained the mountain lion cub, sold it to the circus, purchased more wild animals, and became a professional Lion Tamer.

He performed in events across the nation, worked for Walt Disney, and appeared on the Today Show.

Then in 1960, while on stage, he had a heart attack and died, with the crowd  applauding his performance.

1937 Footage from Kellers Jungle Farm

Here Keller, Train This

Published in 1961, this book is out of print and difficult to find.

From the inside flap:

'Here, Keller-Train This ' was the sign on top of the crate. 

Inside was a full-grown mountain lion - a present from a friend who knew of Keller's love of animals. A college professor of visual arts at the time, Keller accepted the challenge and trained the lion in his garage. 

He acquired more animals, and the courage to face them in the ring. For a number of years he trained wild animals as a hobby and was a semi-professional performer at summer carnivals and small circuses while continuing to teach in the winter. 

As Keller's success as a part-time trainer grew, so did his desire to escape the routine life he had led for years. He was looking for freedom, and in his mind animals were always associated with freedom. 

At the age of 51, George Keller made a complete break to become a full-time animal trainer. At last he was no longer a "college professor on the outside, showman on the inside." His new life greeted him with financial difficulties, a hurricane, a mauling by a tiger and near-death while performing a part of his act in which he put his head in a lion's mouth. Keller's knowledge of animal behavior was phenomenal and his skill and showmanship earned him wide and deserved popularity. 

Here is the personal account of a man who recognized his own calling and had the courage to pursue his bent in the face of opposition from conventional society-a man who dared to fulfil his boyhood dream ' 

A born performer, his book may stretch a few facts.  A photo of the "full grown mountain lion", for instance, shows a cub, according to an author who wrote his own book about Kellers life and career.

Jungle Farm

The finest private collection of animals in Pennsylvania.
The only college professor that trains wild animals in the US
George J. Keller, Bloomsburg Pa

The advertisement (year unknown) in fine print at the bottom says "Attacked by leopard, canceling all engagements until further notice.  Can not make Hughesville.

Video Footage From Keller's Jungle Farm

Starting with local fairs and picnics he expanded to carnivals and circuses, with his first big break the pier in Atlantic City in 1942. After World War II he took long absences from the teachers college as he spent entire years on the road.  Following his final academic year of 1949-50 he made it his full time work, and in 1955 was one of the first circus acts to be featured at Disneyland.

The "Souvenir of Mickey Mouse Club Circus," published 1955,
 George Keller and His Fantastic Felines.

1956, Feb 19 -  Keller's Jungle Killers, a circus act in the Mickey Mouse Club Circus tent, opened at Disneyland. The act featured George Keller, a college professor-turned-lion tamer who has previously performed with the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus! Keller's Jungke Killers include African lions, tigers, leopards, mountain lions, jaguars, black panthers and even a cheetah. Keller will continue his show at Disneyland through September. 

Just off his tour with Polack Bros. Circus, Walt Disney hired Keller to liven up his circus with the addition of live jungle cats. 

Although the Mickey Mouse Club Circus itself ended in January 1956, Keller’s act continued alone in the nearly vacant tent for a few of months more to finish out his contact.
 As Walt often did with Disneyland live performers, he allowed Keller to sell his stock souvenir photos at the concession stand, free of commission, to augment his salary. 

In October of 1960 George was scheduled to perform at Shrine circuses in 3 Texas cities, Corpus Christi, Houston and Fort Worth. On October 14, 1960 in Corpus Christi, at the evening performance he entered the arena with his cats. During the act Keller was stricken with a massive heart attack and collapsed in the ring. George's assistant Bill Scamihorn rushed in and got the cats out of the arena. The ringmaster called for a doctor, one volunteered but could not save Keller.  Keller, a showman at heart, died on stage while the crowd applauded his performance.

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• 1960, May 5 - Keller appeared on The Today Show
• Keller performed with many circuses during his career including Polack Bros., the Orrin Davenport Circus, Tom Packs Circus, Rudy Bros. Circus and in 1959 and 1960 he performed in Madison Square Garden with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.
• 1956, Feb 19 -  Keller's Jungle Killers, a circus act in the Mickey Mouse Club Circus tent, opened at Disneyland. The act featured George Keller, a college professor-turned-lion tamer . Keller's Jungle Killers include African lions, tigers, leopards, mountain lions, jaguars, black panthers and even a cheetah. Keller will continue his show at Disneyland through September

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Like Keller's own book, this Dunkleburgers biography of Keller appears to be out of print.  

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