A story of the world's first female tiger trainer who claimed her love for her tigers was so great she wanted to die in the ring. Raised in poverty in Kentucky, Mabel Stark joined the circus in 1911 and became the first woman to train tigers, earning the center ring despite being told that women couldn't work the big cats. In a 57-year career, she headlined shows with Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey, survived multiple maulings and marriages, starred in Hollywood movies, and managed up to 20 cats by forming intimate relationships with each, rather than using the whip. Her life ended tragically just outside of Jungleland in Thousand Oaks, CA, and her legacy and the golden era of the American circus is recounted by former animal trailers, performers and historian Janet Davis, with Mabel's voice, from her memoir "Hold That Tiger", provided by Oscar ®-winner Melissa Leo.
Acting
Melissa Leo channels Mabel's voice like possession.
Direction
Zemeckis lets the contradictions breathe, never judges.
Production
Rare archival footage that survived decades of neglect.
Director
Leslie Zemeckis
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Mabel performed during the peak of 'freak show' era circus, when female entertainers were marketed as curiosities rather than athletes.
Her memoir 'Hold That Tiger' was ghostwritten and heavily edited; Melissa Leo's narration restores what was sanitized.
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