A pair of former Hollywood celebrities are now making their home in El Paso.

 

The ex-film stars are Congo a 20 pound gorilla, and Jumbo, an East India python, 18 feet long and two feet wide.

 

Both appeared in numerous jungle pictures.  four years ago Congo was a featured actor in Tarzan films.  Jumbo had minor parts in the same productions.

 

In Jungle Exhibit

 

They are now appearing in Sam Houston's jungle exhibit at 109 San Antonio Street.

 

Congo's ferocity caused his removal from the film colony.  He was declared an "outlaw," and Mr. Houston took the gorilla on a tour after Hollywood producers refused to renew his contract.

 

Congo is kept in a small cage with iron bars.  Mr. Houston said that the gorilla has a sunny disposition until four years ago.

 

"Clark Gable:, a mild mannered Rhesus monkey, lives in the cage next to Congo.  Congo spends much of his time roaring and abusing his neighbor in jungle fashion.

 

Dines On Rabbits

 

Unlike Congo, Jumbo, the 30-year-ole python, is quiet and orderly.  The Python was imported from East India.  He dines on rabbits and chickens and sheds his skin for times a year.

 

Mr. Houston, who once promoted the gentry Bothers Dog and Pony Show. brought the gorilla and python to El Paso a month ago.

 

Mr. Houston has been directing jungle exhibits for 50 years and has grown philosophical with respect to the ways of monkeys.  "Yon can't break them," he said.  "They'll bite me the same as anybody else."

 

Mr. Houston was born in Winchester Ind., 75 years ago, and took his first fling at show business when he was 15.

 

He is hoping for a renewal of Congo's movie contract when the gorilla learns to control his temper.