The Behee-Bray Aerialists

The Behee-Bray Aerialists were trapeze artists known for A Noose Fits Anybody" appearance on Bat Masterson (1958). Performing with a safety net as entertainment before a scheduled public hanging were Rose Behee, George Voise, and Jack Bray. On the occasions when the trapeze artist on the perch above the crowd winked or glanced at Bat Masterson it was actress Ernestine Clark, not Rose Behee. During the episode it was Lola Faire, played by Clark, who became an integral part of the story line with Gene Berry as Bat Masterson. The woman doing the performing on the trapeze was Rose Behee. A news story written in July 1939 provided history regarding the aerialist troupe history, generally known as The Flying Behees. They were first presented in 1929 by Clayton Behee as the manager and producer of a "fly and return" act. He had worked previously in a ring, cradle, and high trapeze act with his parents and two brothers, Bob and Raymond. In 1934 he left his own act to join the Flying Codonas (Lolo and Vera Cordona). When Vera retired in 1935 she was replaced by Rose Sullivan, who were with her sister, Eileen, had been trapeze performers. During a European tour Clayton and Rose were married in 1936 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England. During their second engagement in Paris Lolo injured his arm and was forced to retire. The Flying Behees then began with its first engagement in London. Ralph Swisher became their "catcher" and in the late 1930's joined the Cole Bros. Circus. Rose was featured as the only woman flyer to perform a two-and-a half somersault to a catch by the feet while blindfolded. Clayton Earl Behee (August 25, 1912 - November 27, 1976) in the 1970's worked as a phone promoter for Bill English's Circus Classics in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Clayton was born in Kansas City, Missouri USA and passed away in Sarasota, Florida USA. Clayton and Rose were divorced in 1950 in Sarasota, Florida USA. Rose Claire Sullivan (May 11, 1905 - May 11, 1987) was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts USA and passed away on her 82nd birthday in the same city. During their aerialist careers they worked in Australia, Austria, Canada, Canal Zone, Colombia, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Mexico, Norway, Peru, Sweden, and throughout the USA.