Hubert Castle

Hubert Castle was born Hal Silvers or Hal Smith in Enid Oklahoma around 1912. Not much is known about his early life from current records on hand. He appeared early on in his circus career as as tight wire artist Hal Silvers on the Zellmar Bros. and Schell Bros. Circus owned by George Engesser. His performance routine was that of an inebriated man in a top hat and tales fumbling his initial tricks only to do a quick change and then continue as a master of the low wire.

Silvers did several challenging tricks on the wire including the handspring, front and back somersaults and a swaying motion where he released the tension and made the wire wobble as he walked across it. He continued to perfect his craft and later appeared as  Hubert Castle on the Cole Bros. Circus in 1947 in a featured role. Castle also was booked on the 1951 season of The Greatest Show on Earth and purportedly refused to appear in the Cecil B. Demille movie because he demanded extra pay.

After his wire walking days were over and later in his career he started a Shrine sponsored circus that was headquartered in Seagoville, Texas. The show, under Castle's management prospered for  many years. He was known to have a short temper on occasion and is rumored to use his fists to solve differences. Other times he was a gentleman exhibiting an urbane personality to sponsors and business partners.  Hubert Castle and his wife Mary lived in Dallas not far from his winter quarters.  He continued to manage the circus growing its route until retirement when he sold the show to Donny Johnson (an aerialist turned producer). Castle passed away in 1989.