Daniel P. Mannix facts for kids

Daniel Pratt Mannix IV (born October 27, 1911 – died January 29, 1997) was an American writer, journalist, and animal trainer. He was also a photographer, sideshow performer, and magician.

He is best known for two important books. His 1958 book Those About to Die inspired the movie Gladiator. His 1967 novel The Fox and the Hound became an animated film by Walt Disney Productions in 1981.

Growing Up with Animals

Daniel Mannix came from a family with a long history in the United States Navy. His father, Daniel P. Mannix III, was a naval officer. Mannix's mother often traveled with her husband. Because of this, Daniel and his siblings stayed at their grandparents' farm. This farm was located outside Philadelphia.

It was there that Mannix began to keep and raise many wild animals. Feeding all these animals became expensive. This led him to write his first book, The Back-Yard Zoo. Following his family's tradition, Mannix joined the U.S. Naval Academy in 1930. However, he left the next year. He then went to the University of Pennsylvania. He earned a degree in journalism, not zoology.

A Career Full of Adventures

Mannix served as a naval lieutenant during World War II. He worked in the Photo-Science Laboratory in Washington, D.C.. His career was very diverse and exciting.

Life in the Carnival

Mannix spent time as a sword swallower and fire eater. He performed in a traveling carnival sideshow. His stage name was The Great Zadma. He wrote magazine articles about these experiences with his wife, Jule Junker Mannix. These articles were very popular. They were later turned into a book called Step Right Up in 1951. This book was reprinted in 1964 as Memoirs of a Sword Swallower.

Working with Animals

Mannix also worked as a professional hunter. He collected wildlife for zoos and circuses. He was also a skilled bird trainer. His bird training skills were shown in a 1956 short film. It was called Universal Color Parade: Parrot Jungle. In this film, he was the writer, actor, director, producer, photographer, and bird trainer.

As an author, Mannix wrote about many different topics. His books included animal stories for children. He also wrote about the natural history of animals. Some books were adventurous stories about hunting big game.

Journalism and Photography

As a photo-journalist, Mannix witnessed a sad event. He was photographing the famous herpetologist Grace Olive Wiley. She studied snakes. On July 20, 1948, Wiley invited Mannix to her home. She wanted him to photograph her snake collection. She posed with a venomous Indian cobra. The snake bit her finger when Mannix's camera flash startled it. Sadly, she passed away less than two hours later. Fifteen years later, Mannix wrote about this event. He called Wiley the "Woman Without Fear" in his book All Creatures Great and Small.

Magic and Oz

Mannix was also a talented stage magician. He studied the history of magic. He collected magic tricks and equipment. In 1957, he helped start the Munchkin Convention. This was part of the International Wizard of Oz Club. He wrote many articles for The Baum Bugle. These included articles about The Wizard of Oz musical from 1902.

His Personal Life

Daniel Mannix and his wife, Jule Junker Mannix, traveled all over the world. They also raised exotic animals. Jule Mannix wrote a book in 1954 called Married to Adventure. It was about her exciting life with Daniel.

The couple had a son, Daniel Pratt Mannix V, and a daughter, Julie Mannix Von Zerneck. From 1950 onwards, Daniel and Jule Mannix lived in the same house. This house was in East Whiteland, near Malvern, Pennsylvania. Jule Mannix died on May 25, 1977. Daniel Mannix died on January 29, 1997, at 85 years old. He was survived by his son, daughter, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Literary Impact

Daniel Mannix's 1958 non-fiction book Those About to Die had a big impact. It was reprinted in 2001 as The Way of the Gladiator. This book was the main inspiration for the screenplay of the 2000 movie Gladiator. The movie's writer, David Franzoni, used Mannix's book for ideas.

Filmography

• King of the Sky, 1953 (documentary short) (writer, actor, director, producer, bird trainer)
• Universal Color Parade: Parrot Jungle, 1958 (short) (writer, director, producer, photographer, bird trainer)
• Killers of Kilimanjaro, 1959 (based on his book African Bush Adventures)
• The Fox and the Hound, 1981 (based on his book)

See also

In Spanish: Daniel P. Mannix para niños