FACES OF DEATH
Siegfried & Roy producers refuse to release tiger tape to U.S. government, fearing it may become a g
By Annette Stark
Last May, media buyers at a screening of the DreamWorks-produced Siegfried & Roy cartoon, Father of the Pride, reportedly reacted with dismay at the live-via-satellite appearance by magician Roy Horn. According to the Associated Press's Lynn Elber, one industry analyst said of the presentation, "You almost feel you're going to the intensive care unit."
At The Washington Post, columnist Lisa de Moraes noted it was "a short, uncomfortable-making appearance," which showed Horn obviously paralyzed on the left side of his face and parts of his body.
In fact, NBC executives who are betting on the show's success (it premiered on the network on August 31) may be delighted to learn that infinitely worse footage, a tape of the night Horn was attacked by his tiger, will probably never be shown.
But for animal activists, who charge that Siegfried & Roy's production company is "impeding" a USDA investigation by refusing to release the attack videotape, it's a huge setback.
Animal-rights groups requested the USDA investigation following the October 2003 onstage mauling of Horn at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. Witnesses in the audience had described a bleeding Horn beating the tiger on the head with a microphone and then being dragged offstage. (Horn suffered a stroke as a result of the attack. He was hospitalized for several months and is now said to be recuperating at home in Vegas.)
But on August 24, 2004, the Associated Press reported that Ringling parent company Feld Entertainment Inc., which produced Siegfried & Roy's Vegas act, has so far failed to cooperate with that USDA probe. Quoting an "anonymous source familiar with the investigation," the article went on to say that Feld has refused two USDA subpoenas to turn over video footage of the night Horn was mauled.
"Of course, Feld Entertainment doesn't want the public to see the ugly truth that is bound to be on that videotape. It's likely to show that Roy Horn obviously lost control of Montecore, thereby endangering not only himself, but audience members as well," says Lisa Wathne, captive exotic animal specialist for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). "This isn't the first time they have impeded a USDA investigation. They should be criminally charged for obstruction of justice."
Insisting that it is fully cooperating with the investigation, Feld issued a statement on August 25, citing concerns for Roy's privacy should the tape "end up in the hands of media who would then sensationalize this horrible tragedy."
According to their statement, Feld received one subpoena, and "immediately offered to show USDA investigators the video footage, but requested the company retain physical possession of the tape out of deep respect for Roy Horn's right to privacy and continued recovery." The statement further says that Feld has been involved in an ongoing "mutual dialogue" with the USDA since May about this, but "as of August 25, 2004, the USDA has not responded to Feld's last request."
USDA spokesperson Jim Rogers would not comment on the case, other than to confirm that the investigation is ongoing. "While there is an open investigation, I can't even go so far as to say we want the tape."
Though careful not to speculate that the tape would get out, Rogers notes it's conceivable that it could. "Every case is different and I can't speak to what would happen. But, under Freedom of Information, evidentiary materials can be requested and obtained by reporters."
The recent PETA charges are on a long list of animal abuse allegations that activists have levied against Feld, particularly in reference to Ringling Bros. In each instance, representatives of Feld have issued statements to refute the allegations. On its website, Feld provides circus FAQs and animal-care fact sheets to back up their position that the company treats its animals humanely.
But former Ringling employees like ex-clown Kelly Tansy tell a different story. "When I was with the show [1979-'80], I saw elephants jabbed and beaten with bullhooks ... a horse and chimp punched with a closed fist," Tansy told CityBeat in an e-mail last month, following the death of the two-year-old circus lion, Clyde. (Clyde's death is also the subject of a USDA investigation.)
As regards Siegfried & Roy's future career prospects, it's not tough to imagine the scenarios that would occur if the tape of Horn's attack ever hit the airwaves. In fact, speculation exists in Hollywood that it could seriously interfere with NBC's hopes for Father of the Pride. The cartoon, which stars the voice of John Goodman as Larry the lion, presents a comedic look at an overtly sexual animal kingdom, loosely based on the Vegas magicians' family of performing big cats. It's possible that the show would take a hit if the public ever got to watch Horn being dragged off the stage on that awful night. But even without the video image, critics' reactions to the extravagant animation show have been mixed, with some raising questions about where Pride will find its audience. According to an article by Variety's Brian Lowry, "The show ... remains a serious gamble with doubtful prospects, as its sporadically tawdry tone clearly isn't meant for kids."
Published: 09/16/2004
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