Filmmaker Leslie Zemeckis has a penchant for making documentaries about people who were simultaneously on the margins of society and in the glare of a spotlight (Behind the Burly Q [VL-7/11] on the history of burlesque, and Bound by Flesh [VL-11/14], which told the story of conjoined twins who were briefly stars of vaudeville). Narrated by Melissa Leo, Mabel, Mabel, Tiger Trainer centers on the fascinating life of Mabel Stark, a circus trainer of wild cats. Drawing upon multiple interviews and archival materials, the documentary tells the life story of Stark, born in 1889 to a Kentucky farm couple. Following her father’s death and mother’s psychiatric woes, Stark fled an abusive stepfather to become a dancer, a stand-in for Mae West, and ultimately a circus performer who found her passion taming lions and tigers through positive reinforcement rather than the whip. Attacked, mauled, and bitten numerous times in her 56 years with cats, Stark nevertheless loved what she did and took responsibility for leveraging her deep knowledge of cats into training another generation of tamers. Zemeckis covers the many chapters of Stark’s often bumpy life, including her multiple marriages, physical injuries, and cruel dismissal during her final years from an animal sanctuary. As a pioneer in a job once unavailable to women, Stark is certainly unique in her contributions and toughness. Extras include additional footage and a behind-the-scenes featurette with the director. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)
Mabel, Mabel, Tiger Trainer
(2018) 93 min. DVD: $19.95. Cinema Libre Studio (avail. from most distributors). Closed captioned. Volume 33, Issue 4
Mabel, Mabel, Tiger Trainer
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