Gus Keller!

[spinsmashpop]

I figured I'd post this just in case anyone hasn't seen it. It was an alternate selection choice via The Baggist's last clip. After his finishes, some others pop up; this being one of them....
So, uhhhh, this was 1903. Uhhh, I was unaware that the bar was set so high....... over 100 years ago!!!!!!
I want to know what Speedbag thinks of Gus! Speedbag, when did you become aware of the advanced level of speed bagging from the beginning of the 20th Century?
BAG ON AND ON!

[The Baggist]

This vid is probably the oldest and greatest documented speed bag vids. Johnny Pal had mentioned Gus's name a couple of weeks ago in one of his youtube posts and I instantly did a search and was AMAZED!!!! I also did a search on the SB FORUM and ALAN had links of the vid posted. Hopefully this one sticks around unlike the Doris De Green footage.....

[Speedbag]

So, uhhhh, this was 1903. Uhhh, I was unaware that the bar was set so high....... over 100 years ago!!!!!!
I want to know what Speedbag thinks of Gus!

I am amazed and jealous of his skills. Unreal originality, speed, timing and rhythm. too bad there is no sound.

.. Speedbag, when did you become aware of the advanced level of speed bagging from the beginning of the 20th Century?
BAG ON AND ON!

I learned of them when I started researching the history of speed bag many years ago (late 1980's and '90's). I had heard the names of Doris DeGreen, The amazing Vagges (bottom of page) and Kid Brunnel and Gus Keller but I never saw footage of them until a few years ago with the advent of Youtube and massive web searches.

I am amazed at their skills and the variety of combinations they do, as well as the total body inclusion of knees, kicking and multiple bags. Seeing them was a humbling experience in many ways. First, because there was so much more that could be done on the bag than what I was doing, Second, that the speed bag addiction has been affecting people for much longer than I imagined. Way back in 1900, (and earlier) People like Gus were staring at a bag, trying to figure it all out. I feel a strong kinship to them all, and I'm proud to have done my little part to pass on their skills in a reasonably reliabe way to learn most of it. It's obvious when watching them that we are really not creating anything original on the bag that wasn't already done by them years earlier.

Through all the years it's obvious that the equipment has changed slightly. Different sizes, shapes and material - but the basic layout, and the punching skills have not. we all just keep passing it on. And we do that because,

..all things considered - I'd rather be baggin'.


Great post, SSP.

[Tim]

So, uhhhh, this was 1903. Uhhh, I was unaware that the bar was set so high....... over 100 years ago!!!!!

Way cool, thx for posting, as I had NOT seen this particular clip.

Pretty amazing, I wonder where he learned all that or if he was completely self taught ???

[Speedbag]

Way cool, thx for posting, as I had NOT seen this particular clip.

Pretty amazing, I wonder where he learned all that or if he was completely self taught ???

now that's the sixty four thousand dollar question! How did he figure that all out?

[Zaza]

Here's a good version...must see:

[Johnny O]

Zaza, Thanks for reposting that footage! Very cool stuff... although my back hurts just watching that floor baggin.

[Zaza]

Zaza, Thanks for reposting that footage! Very cool stuff... although my back hurts just watching that floor baggin.

I know! I want see Tommy T doing that (if anyone can, it's him!). I'll tell you, researching the history of the speed bag is quite interesting.....I only wish there was more & better footage of some of the old "Fancy Punchers".

[Dutchman]

It used to be quite a number of striking bag acts on the variety circuit. How many of them were actually filmed is currently unknown. I've been tracking an act that was showcased on the old Paul Winchell Show that was aired on Sunday afternoons late 1959's early 60's. There are copies of kinescopes of his acts, but so far none of the variety acts that were featured.

[MsDeville]

It used to be quite a number of striking bag acts on the variety circuit. How many of them were actually filmed is currently unknown. I've been tracking an act that was showcased on the old Paul Winchell Show that was aired on Sunday afternoons late 1959's early 60's. There are copies of kinescopes of his acts, but so far none of the variety acts that were featured.

I remember the Paul Winchell Show. eek. So, I the mystery is solved. I now finally understand my fascination with the speed bag. I was watching vaudeville acts when just a babe and I was brain-washed. Or was it bag-washed? groan. By the way, that's a great video. He certainly made the most of his speed bags.

[Biff]

Gotta wonder where Gus picked up some of his tricks. Was he an innovator or did he perfect existing moves? Dutchman, AK, Za, any idea how far back the "fancy punchers" began?

[Dutchman]

My research tends to lead me to believe that this form of "physical culture" surfaced shortly after the development of the inflated striking bag. The were actually more like double end bags without the bottom elastic. I'd say by the late 1880's early 1890's. I recall seeing a pretty complete line of striking bags in the Sears catalogs of that era, along with a booklet on "fancy punching".

[Biff]

My research tends to lead me to believe that this form of "physical culture" surfaced shortly after the development of the inflated striking bag. The were actually more like double end bags without the bottom elastic. I'd say by the late 1880's early 1890's. I recall seeing a pretty complete line of striking bags in the Sears catalogs of that era, along with a booklet on "fancy punching".

I thought you would know the answer. Thanks.

[Zaza]

Fancy answers!