Review of Cat Dancers (2008) by Johnny P — 27 Dec 2008

There is a fascinating quality to this documentary, perhaps it's the great and extensive archival footage of the circus act this film archives, or perhaps it's the sheer freakiness of the toupee'd bisexual circus vet, Ron Holiday who narrates the tragic wacky story of his career.

Starting as a dance duo, Ron and Joy Holiday obtain a black panther cub from actor William Holden and thus begin an illustrious circus career as the "Cat Dancers", adding more and more cats to the act as it's popularity rose and eventually adding a handsome young assistant to not only their act, but their marriage as well.

The new assistant Chuck Lizza would eventually be the one in charge of a white tiger cub, added to the act from professional pressures on Ron and Joy to compete with Las Vegas headliners Siegfried and Roy.

In some tragic events outlined herein the notoriously inbred white tiger would eventually kill Lizza as well as Joy Holiday. This is a riveting documentary if not for the glimpse in how fabulously different circus folk.

particularly a 40 year vet like Holiday, truly are. This is a bizarre and tragic tale but shot with enough cinematic pathos to make it unforgettable.