 The Clyde Beatty Show The world's greatest wild animal trainer Clyde Beatty with another exciting story from his brilliant career This master of the big cats captures ferocious jungle beasts and trains them to perform under the big top in the circus Where there are always thrills action and danger Hundreds of dramatic behind-the-scenes adventures are all part of the Clyde Beatty story Here is the story of Daniel in the lion's den Where you think you're going? I'm talking to you. What are you doing hanging around the animal grottoes? Yeah, you ain't supposed to be on the grounds. It's ain't a visiting day. We're close to the public. Oh, I'm not the public. No Then what are you? I'm an animal trainer animal trainer, huh? What's your name? Donato Alberto Donato But they call me Dan. I know everybody in the business never heard of you. You will someday there I can hardly wait now. I suppose you just get off the grounds Suppose I don't I'll throw you off. Oh now take it easy old man old man. Are you young punk? I'm sorry. I guess I shouldn't have said that get out of here beat it Please I didn't mean to be a smart alec. I don't care what you meant if you aren't gone in one minute Something wrong It's you mr. Beatty Beatty I caught this young fellow fooling around the grottoes. I told him the grounds are closed today Gee, I I didn't mean to cause any trouble mr. Beatty I just thought I might get a chance to talk to you. He was being mighty fresh. I okay, Max Okay, I'll handle this mark young punk Hey a man to watch things around here try to do my duty everybody push well young fella Looks like you and old Max didn't get along too. Well Golly mr. Beatty. I I didn't mean to cause any trouble for the old boy I'm awful. Sorry Max is a bit short tempered. I guess when the weather's wrong his old bones start to ache Well, what can I do for you? I'm an animal trainer, mr. Beatty. You're kind of young aren't you? Well, not exactly a full-fledged trainer yet, but I want to be why why? Gosh why wouldn't I I could give you plenty of reasons you must be joking. You're the greatest trainer in the world You must like it. Oh, I like it. All right, but sometimes I wonder why Must be something that gets under our skin a mr. Beatty must be not that I'm in your class or anything like that But well, you know what I mean. I think so now tell me why have you come to me? I want a job mr. Beatty any kind of job just so I can be near the cat I'm afraid I don't need anybody right now. Oh, please. I'll do anything sir anything when the circus is in winter quarters We keep the staff down to absolute minimum mr. Beatty. I'll work hard. I want to watch you learn all I can Well, I my last boss you let me work his cats. They were old and tired didn't learn very much You say you've worked the cats. Yes, sir. No, but not like yours Well, please give me a chance mr. Beatty someday. I'll be a real trainer. You'll see yes Or you might turn out to be like old Max the old man What's he got to do with it? You're too young to remember but once there was a trainer called the great Maximilian Believe me. He was great. You mean that crippled old man was a famous animal trainer one of the best What happened the thing that happens to guys foolish enough to fool around the big cats one performance He made a mistake just a little mistake two years later. They finished patching him up and let him out of the hospital I didn't realize I Wish I hadn't been so fresh. I learned plenty from that old man. That's why I feel I should help him when he's out of luck Mr.. Beatty do you think the great max million might coach me or? Maybe even you would still want to be a trainer. Yes, sir. Well, don't say I didn't warn you you mean You'll give me a job. I shouldn't you'd be better off if I just threw you off the grounds, but It must be something that gets under our skin, huh? You're pulling my leg sure But just see you don't let one of my cats do it. Oh, don't worry about that, mr. Beatty and geez sir. I'm really grateful to you. Don't mention it. Hey, what's your name son? Donato? They call me Dan Dan That's a fine name for a guy who wants to climb into the lion's den And now back to Clyde Beatty's adventure entitled Daniel in the lion's den The only one I could remember more difficult to discourage from a career in the animal arena than young Donato Was a certain eager character from Chilacothe named Clyde Beatty I couldn't be too tough on the kid because I remembered being just as eager and just as cocksure I was planning to leave winter quarters for a week or so on business So I decided to give young Dan a few lessons on Dan there's one thing I never want you to forget now, Mrs. Beatty will verify this any one of those big cats is capable of tearing you to shreds And they'd like nothing better than a chance to do it. They're right there. Absolutely You see Dan some people get the mistaken notion that wild beast can be made into pets But some people do make them into pets. Don't they? That's not very wise. That's when they're most dangerous No matter how well you think you know a wild animal you can never know when it's gonna turn on you My former boss kind of made pets of his cats you you say this boss of yours taught you fundamentals few Well here, let me see you handle the tools of the trade. There's a whip a gun and a chair Well, you hold both the chair and the gun like this in the left hand and the whip in your right hand Now sometimes if you want a free hand to use a stick or move something You sling the whip over your shoulders round the back of your neck like this. Good now move over there Let's see how you'd work How do you like the boy, honey? He's very nice. That boy handles himself off you. Well, he seems to be a natural You must have been telling the truth about having handled it You're faked with a chair show me how you'd handle a charging cat What works seems pretty rough he could send some practice on that that'll help them a lot Yeah, Dan now the cat's charging like him like You know, I think I'll try him in the arena with one of the cats Do you think that's a good idea Clyde? I want to see how he reacts. I'll be standing by that'll do son. Come on back here Hey, all right, mr.. Beatty fair fair at least you know how to use your equipment your foot works plenty rusty though Would you like to get in the training arena with one of the cat stand now? Why not? Sure? Let's go Take it easy not so fast. Oh, Eddie Eddie Let Bobby in the arena. We want to work him a bit. Yes, sir Eddie the cage boy is gonna let one of the smaller cats into the arena. He's a rough one and he's tough Oh, I'll watch you mr. Beatty. Don't let him think you're afraid or he'll charge you. It's a sly critter watches every move you make I see There he is What you said he was small If you think he's big wait, you see nero, baby. Okay, Eddie Now don't worry, Dan. I'll be right here in the safety cage if anything happens Just be sure to keep on your feet. Okay? Okay. All right, let's get into the safety cage Well, baby here I go now wait a minute, huh? What's the matter? I don't tell me you were gonna go dashing in the arena just like that. It's something wrong close your eyes close my eyes Okay, they're closed now. Tell me everything that's in that arena. Well, there's a lion of course and Open your eyes Dan. I'll take a look What do you see besides a half thousand pounds of cat on the hoof well the pedestal over on the left Yeah, I wouldn't hurdle leaning way over against the bars on the right, huh? And well, I guess that's all right if you'd have gone in there you might have stumbled over one of you'd have been in trouble Yeah, I see what you mean never go into an arena without memorizing the position of every piece of equipment. Yes, sir I understand good All right, go on in and give Bobby some exercise Don't just stand there go to work on him Dan I don't like the way the boys handling himself. Oh, he'll be all right Harriet I know I'm watching close I don't want to alarm the young sir. I'll try to correct him without getting him confused You're doing fine Dan, but you're too stiff. Don't jerk move easily Don't bend over for that gun crack your whip Dan crack your whip Bobby stalking him. I'd better get in there and hit the safety cage Eddie open the shoot I'm sending Bobby out Getting that shoot you all right Dan You made a couple of mistakes out there didn't you Yes, sir I guess I got quite a few things to learn. That's right, but I'll teach you all you have to know You mean you're not gonna wash me out Oh, no when you learn how to use those big flat feet of yours I'll make an animal trainer out of you and a good one too Boy, you sure got them cages swept out yet What about the rest of your chores Cleaned all the cages got the fresh meat bill the water pans guess I'm about through or no you ain't you're still plenty I can find for you to do don't strain yourself. I'm tired when you came here. You're asked for work I'm gonna see you get it. Oh golly. He's still sore at me. Mr. Max million. Oh, I'm sorry I acted like that way. I did the first day. I wish we could be friends He ain't got time for that kind of stuff too much to do around here Mr. Beatty said he learned plenty from you. That's right. He was my cage boy once I sure wish mr. Beatty get back might want another crack at those cats, but he'll be back soon enough Too soon to please me practiced every day since he's been gone been practicing on my footwork footwork Oh, don't you think it's a book? I was the best in the business. Did I ever practice footwork? Sissy stuff. I call it. Oh, it helps your coordination Or the nation bunk. Well, you've got to learn is how to smash them cats around make them know who's boss sure Gotta bluff them bluff them to a standstill. Well, mr. Beatty says the best weapon a trainer has is love It's the only weapon them cats wasn't so dumb. They'd know a man ain't got a chance against mr. Beatty Mr. Beatty says mr. Beatty says look you I forgotten more and baby you'll ever know When you're out in the arena for a bunch of million cats you ain't got time to think about all that fancy stuff You've got a VIP and beat them criticism to do on what you want If one of them gets out of line, I'm given the work That's not the way mr. Beatty does it. He's a smart guy to a viseker like yourself Just cause he tells you you've got a chance in this business. You think he's a great guy. He is a great guy Oh, yeah Then why ain't he had you out there with a ring full of cats. Oh, he doesn't think I'm ready yet Oh, maybe he thinks you're so ready. You will soon be better than him Now that isn't no youngster You're as ready as you'll ever be You mean you think I could handle in a ring a full of cats if you do what I tell you you can Yeah, what's the matter beaty taking all the spunk out of you Oh, no, mr. Max million, but he gave me strict orders not to work any of the animals so he got back orders There's only one way to find out if you've got what it takes Get out there and work with a dozen of the critters What's the matter? You yellow. No, but well, mr. Beatty said okay, okay Do what mr. Beatty says, but I'm telling you you'll never get to be a trainer if you do We aren't jealous of mr. Beatty. Are you jealous me jealous of him? I could still teach him plenty you too if I thought you had the guts. What are you? Want me to do now? I'll tell you there's only one way Either you got what it takes or you ain't I'll turn a dozen cats in that arena That was a hot tiresome trip Clyde Gonna feel good to get back to Fort Lauderdale again business is business honey, and I'll admit I'm glad we're back, too Well, there's the place. Oh, doesn't it look beautiful? Terrific the men have done a swell job of landscaping the grottoes and the animal enclosures Visitors certainly get a kick out of seeing the animals outside their cages. Don't think yeah Oh, look at all the cars in the parking lot. We must have an extra large crowd today Hey, we've had record crowds all season, but I've never seen this many in the middle of the week Maybe they think you're going to work out the cat No, I posted notices saying the exhibitions were to be canceled for a while. Well, anyway, there's a mob here today Look, they're all gathered there on the exhibition arena. Yeah, that's funny. Why would there be anyone around the arena like Unless Clyde Someone is working the animals for this crowd. Well, that's impossible I left orders for exhibitions to be canceled until we got back. Well, somebody's putting on a show come on Let's go Eddie Eddie What's going on here? We didn't expect you till tomorrow. I said what's going on here. Well, it's like this. Oh, Maxie. Well, don't tell me that's young Dan in there with all those cats. I'm afraid it is. Mr. Beatty. I tried to stop that crazy young fool He's not ready for that. I'll be killed Now back to Clyde Beatty and his exciting story called Daniel in the lion's den The exhibition arena at our Fort Lauderdale Winter Quarters was jam-packed with visitors in complete disregard of my strict orders My apprentice trainer Dan was putting a group of mixed lions and tigers through their faces All right, what's the meaning of this Eddie? I tried to stop Mr. Beatty them. Oh Max and that young fellow You mean Max put that boy up to this Yeah, he told the kid the practice you were putting him through was a lot of bunk Well, what could his purpose be sending a green kid in there? You better get in that arena, Mr. Beatty That youngster can't handle all them cats. Well, hand me a whip and a gun Should I open the shoot let them cats out. No, no wait Say that kid's doing all right. I don't know them cats is plenty feisty Haven't been worked for a long time. Well, the boy's doing a good job Oh my gosh He's finally got them cats toe in the line Eddie that boy's got a future in this business Yes, sir. I've got a big investment in this outfit. I I know sir what you did this afternoon could have wound up in a terrible tragedy I shouldn't have listened to mr. Max million if you've been hurt or killed. I'd have felt responsible I'll do anything to prove how sorry I am sir Your only excuse is that you felt you were taking advice from an older and more experienced man Well, don't blame mr. Max million sir. I should have known better hold Max is bitter He resents me and he's probably jealous of you. You you don't think he wanted me to be killed No, but he did want to show you up and in doing so show me up, too. I see well It's all over you mean I'm through I mean you're gonna be a great trainer, but you'll have to prove to me that I can trust you Oh, yes, sir until further orders from me. You're not to go near any of the animals. Is that clear? I'd rather be sent to bed without my supper for a year mr. Beatty, but it's clear I Said you caught yes, honey What did you do about young Dan? Oh? Gave him a lecture you didn't fire him. Did you know? No, no What about Max? I had a talk with him. He said the boy begged to be allowed in the arena. Do you think that's true? No, what did you say? I was in a spot, honey But Max deliberately endangered that youngster here. So he wanted to hurt me through the boy He resents us both you should let Max go he might cause trouble again, but I just can't fire him, honey Sometimes being sentimental can be dangerous. I'll keep an eye on him. Oh, Clyde baby You're a hopeless idealist a sentimentalist and and a jerk Yes, but I love you Mr. Max million what are you doing up there? What's it to you? Gosh, I don't think you should be up there on that railing if I made it for a squirt like you to patch this broken Guard rail some of them visitors would be falling into this land. Yeah, but the way you're balanced up there You're liable to fall in you trying to tell me what to do. No, but but please let me do that job for you I want it fixed right. You go about your business. I just thought I could help you Okay, Eddie, I'll be right there Sure, I can't help you mr. Max million go on beat it. Okay, but if you need help just sing out Yes, Eddie, how about give me a hand? Yeah, Dan, what's the deal? I gotta move these here cases over to that shed. Okay? Hold us steady. I'll take this in Max it was max. He must have fallen here here through here. I knew he shouldn't be able to advance What where is he max max? He's falling into the ground. That's they're all gathering around They'll tear under shreds in a minute. Then what are you doing here? Give me a hand I'll have something to work with work with I'm going down there to help the old man There isn't like a good club. It can't go down there alone. Hey, wait, that's an 18-foot pop They're gonna gang up on you It's no use then the cats are closing in on them Oh Mr. Patey hurry. What happened Eddie Max fell into the grotto the cats ganged up on him Then Dan jumped in you mean to tell me Dan's down there there with just a piece of rail for a club He was fighting like a demon when I left Well, look the cats are milling around the base of that mountain rocks on the other side of the grotto Dan Dan are you there? He's standing over the old man one of the cats must have tried to drag Max into that small cave Yeah, the boy wants to beat him off Dan. How are you doing? As long as his backs against those rocks he's got a chance if the cats don't decide to climb that mound and get above him There goes a tiger now. It's crawling up the rocks Dan. Hold up boy. I'll be down there in a minute Don't come down. It's no use Hold on keep wailing away at him what are you gonna do mr. Baby take too long to fight through that gang of cats from here. Come on Well, I Got a drop down on that pound from the other side and jump to the floor of the grotto where Dan is I hope you make it before that tiger Eddie cost me that like the two-by-four over there. There you are Now what it's a 15-foot drop to that ledge. Yeah, I don't want to break a leg when I drop here You hold on to this end of the board. What are you gonna do skin down and then drop, right? Oh, oh, it's too late. The tiger's made it to the top is directly about then just hang out of that board Don't go down there. You ain't got nothing to fight with when I'm down drop the board. I'll use that Are you doing down there Dan? Try to clear a space for me. I'll drop down and take over for you. Okay? Okay Thank you Cousin in down here Hurry mr. Beatty make some room in your lion's den dental. I'm coming down I can't tell you what it means to me to have been selected to present this distinctive merit award To an heroic and deserving young hero Step up your day. Yes, sir. Come on. Come on up front here. Yes, sir It is a great thrill for me to present to you Alberto Donato from the citizens of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Take it you don't Yeah, yeah, but I just want to get off this stage. I'm scared. Well, come on then I'm proud of you Dan really proud Thanks, golly. Thanks for everything mr. Beatty mr. Beatty Dan. Hello, Max I I want you to accept the thanks of a foolish old man. I'm glad you could come to this shindig I wouldn't have missed it for anything Then I just wanted to say thanks to you for saving my life Well, I'm I'm sure glad you're all right again, mr. Max million and I wanted to tell you You're going to be a great animal man someday Maybe even as good as the greatest of us all Clyde Beatty Clyde Beatty will be back for the word about our next exciting story, but now Here's Clyde Beatty with a preview of our next adventure It isn't often that I go hunting for an animal with the idea of killing it But a couple of years ago I went to Alaska in tent upon putting an end to a giant bear that was creating havoc in the Matanuska Valley slaughtering livestock and people You'll hear the exciting hunt for the Kodiak killer when next we meet All stories are based upon incidents in the career of the world famous Clyde Beatty and the Clyde Beatty circus The Clyde Beatty show is produced by Shirley Thomas Daniel in the lion's den was written by Robert T Smith and Frank Hart tossing All names used with fictional and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. This is a Commodore production