I only saw the opening credits of the film on TCM yesterday, and was annoyed
when I saw the elephants, each painted a different color, in the parade. What
would they have used to color the elephants this way? And were any "humane
treatment of animals" standards followed in films of this era?
I'm not crying, you fool, I'm laughing!
Hewwo.
Considring the time period I would say no in both films and circuses. the iltreament of animals have been happening up to the release of Heavens gate. as for the colors probly either a water based paint of some form of powder or dust
Oh GOOD!,my dog found the chainsaw
Elephants often are painted in Indian for festivals. There are many powders and other things to dye animals with.
They used Jell-O powder (I think) in "Camilla" for David Carradine's horses of many colors. I think I read where the horses kept licking off the color.
Food colorings often are used,too.
What do they use on poodles when they dye them? And, there are people who make designs on cats.
So,I'm sure there are many ways to dye/paint/color animals without hurting them.
*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***