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Although the first “freak show” at Coney Island opened in 1880, the golden age of the village’s side shows began in 1904 when Samuel W. Gumpertz opened Lilliputia, an entire miniature city scaled for its dwarf and midget inhabitants. Lilliputia became such a popular tourist attraction at Dreamland, Gumpertz spend many years afterwards finding and promoting human oddities. After Dreamland burned in 1911, he opened Dreamland Circus Sideshow. Other side shows soon opened, including The World Circus Freak Show, The Steeplechase Circus Big Show, Hubert’s Museum, The Strand Museum, and Wonderland Circus Side Show. Human oddities who worked in circuses and other traveling shows enjoyed the relative stability and permanence of Coney Island. Here are a few of the most popular.
Lionel, the Lion-faced Man
Lionel, the Lion-faced Man was born Stephan Bibrowski in Poland in 1891. He had long and thick hair all over due to hypertrichosis, a genetic variation once known as “werewolf disease”. Bibrowski was a very intelligent man who spoke five languages and once aspired to become a dentist. His side show act included gymnastic tricks. He appeared at Dreamland Circus in Coney Island in the 1920s.
Violetta, the Limbless Woman
Aloisia Wagner was born in Bremen-Hemelingen, Germany in 1906. She was healthy, but had neither arms nor legs. Her parents raised her to be as self-sufficient as possible. Aloisia entered show business at age 15, took the stage name Violetta, and emigrated to the United States a couple of years later in 1924. Port authorities at Ellis Island almost rejected her as a possible welfare case until they ascertained that she had employment with the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. Violetta could move around by hopping. Her performance was centered around her singing, but she also demonstrated her abilities, such as sewing or lighting a cigarette using only her mouth. Violetta performed at Dreamland Circus Side Show in Coney Island as well as touring circuses. See more pictures of Violetta here.
We’re just getting started. Keep reading for more of the Coney Island sideshow attractions.
Jean Carroll, the Tattooed Lady
Jean Carroll started her side show career as a bearded lady, and ended it as a tattooed lady! She fell in love with contortionist John Carson, who felt a mutual attraction but couldn’t bring himself to marry a woman with a beard. Jean didn’t want to give up her side show career. After a fifteen-year friendship, Carroll took the plunge and removed her lucrative beard by electrolysis. She then underwent painful all-over tattooing to continue her side show career. The two married and remained lifelong partners.
Zip, the Pinhead
William Henry Johnson was born in New Jersey in 1842. He was thought to be microcephalic, as he had an oddly tapered head with a normal size face. However, he had the intelligence to perform for over 60 years as different personas with the Ringling Brothers and at Coney Island. In his early career, he was billed as a “wild man”, a missing link from Africa. Later on, he became a comedic performer, and even played the fiddle so badly that people paid him to stop. He died a wealthy and popular man at age 84.
The Four-legged Woman
Josephene Myrtle Corbin was born in either Texas or Tennessee in 1868. She had the lower limbs of a dipygus twin growing from her pelvis. She was billed as The Four-legged Woman, but her twin’s legs were too weak to stand on (although she could move them), and her right leg had a clubbed foot. In effect, the four-legged woman really had only one good leg. She married Dr. Clinton Bicknell when she was 19 and eventually had five children. Since her twin had reproductive organs, it was rumored that three children were born from one set of organs and two from the other.
In the mid-20th century, the popularity of side shows declined to the point that most went out of business. Part of the reason was competition from television, but it was also a change in the public’s perception of the freak shows. Modern sensibilities decreed it was wrong to stare at people because of an accident of birth. There was also suspicion that those on exhibit may have been exploited. Some were, but the new attitude was a kick in the teeth to human oddities who were proud to be known as freaks. Side shows allowed them to support themselves financially, and some had become quite wealthy. Coney Island was a community where side show oddities could be accepted by their peers, and where life was easier than constant travel with circuses.
The side show never really died out. Instead, the focus turned from human exhibits to performers. Although we are unwilling to stare and laugh at people for who they are, it’s OK to be entertained by what people do. The new freak shows employ people who have worked hard to become freaks. Sideshows by the Seashore employs several. Founded in 1986, the venue is the brainchild of Dick Zigun who is largely responsible for Coney Island’s recent renaissance.
Insectivora
Insectivora, also known as Angelica, is billed as “The World’s Most Partially Illustrated Woman”. However, her tattoos are just a backdrop for her act. Insectivora breathes fire, eats fire, walks on a ladder of swords as well as on broken glass, swallows razors, and she sings, too! Insectivora has performed at Side Shows by the Seashore for six years. Visit her MySpace page.
The Twisted Shockmeister
Scott Baker, the Twisted Shockmeister is probably the first person you’ll see at Side Shows by the Seashore. He’s the outside talker, or the guy at the door who entices you to come in and spend your money. But he’s also a performer. Scott is a magician and ventriloquist, just for starters. He also drives nails through his head, eats fire, glass, insects, and razor blades, levitates, and gives lectures. At the end of his list of talents, Baker calls himself a “Mental Flosser”. You can’t beat that for talent! Visit his MySpace page.
Serpentina
Serpentina, or Stephanie Torres is a snake charmer and contortionist with Side Shows by the Seashore. Serpentina is the reigning Miss Coney Island. You can see a portion of her act at YouTube.
Donny Vomit
Diamond Donny V, Donald Thomas, or Donny Vomit is the Master of Ceremonies for the Side Show by the Seashore. He also has a full repertoire of freak skills. His act involves some heavy hardware, including animal traps, chainsaws, a straightjacket, an electric chair, a bed of nails, and of course, “Mental Floss.” Chief magazine has an interview with Donny V. Visit his MySpace page.
Heather Holliday
Heather Holliday is a sword swallower at Side Shows by the Seashore. She is also a fire eater and a human blockhead. Visit her MySpace page.
You can keep up with news from the Coney Island entertainment industry at the Coney Island Freaks Livejournal community. Side Shows by the Seashore also runs a school for those who would like to become freaks.
Comments (25)
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I’m so excited about this article! I love ‘freaks’ and sideshow information!
I happened to catch the last touring sideshow over the summer, and it didn’t disappoint!
Oh, and for other sideshow fans out there, there are a set of collectible toys called ‘lil’ sideshow’ and they have minature stages and everything! So far I only have the bearded lady, but my birthday is coming up and my friends love me….
posted by Emily on 2-15-2008 at 7:50 am
I think Heather Holliday was on an episode of Miami Ink. She got a pretty cool tattoo when Ami and Yoji went to New York.
posted by tricia on 2-15-2008 at 9:44 am
I remember that episode. The guy who runs the sideshow in Coney Island also got their logo inked on his leg (?). He has many tats.
Coney Island is cool and the sideshow is one of a kind. They have a Freak Bar there, where you can drink a COney Island lager!
ALready thinking about a July roadtrip!
posted by Doug on 2-15-2008 at 10:12 am
Check out the movie Freaks (1932). A classic that was banned, but really appreciated by the talent. The director for the original Dracula movie. Click on my name above for the IMDB page. Also avail on youtube.
posted by Stew on 2-15-2008 at 12:02 pm
Miss Cellania’s posts are the best.
posted by katiedert on 2-15-2008 at 2:19 pm
I appreciate the links.
Shame these comments do not allow links, as I have more to share!
~J. Tithonus Pednaud
The Human Marvels
posted by J. Tithonus Pednaud on 2-15-2008 at 2:30 pm
Hmm, no mention of the Jim Rose Circus? Not sure if they’re still around (Wikipedia doesn’t seem sure, either). It wasn’t my thing, but I remember they were pretty big in the ’90s.
posted by Nat X on 2-15-2008 at 2:41 pm
Check out the movie ‘Freaks,’ a 1932 horror film that used actual sideshow freaks and was banned in the UK for 30 years.
posted by Aviva on 2-15-2008 at 6:43 pm
I second the recommendation for the movie “Freaks” though it’s not a horror movie in the modern sense (gore, blood, zombies, dead things, etc). It’s more of a “freaky” (no pun intended) film, in the cult classic vein. Sort of Rocky Horror-esque, but endlessly fascinating for its use of real side-show performers and how they get revenge on a “normal person” who exploits them.
And yes, Heather Holliday and some others of the Coney Island staff was on Miami Ink and Ami used his power over his apprentice Yoji to force him to go learn and perform side-show tricks. Very good episode!
posted by Julia on 2-15-2008 at 7:39 pm
I first saw Freaks (the movie) when VCRs and movie rental stores came about. I read that it was “banned for 30 years” because it was so “disturbing” and watched with trepidation. Nothing disturbing at all about it! But its a good story; I would recommend it.
I very much enjoyed researching this story. I got sidetracked by reading a lot more material than I used, since I limited this post to people who worked at Coney Island.
posted by Miss Cellania on 2-15-2008 at 7:47 pm
Have any of you been to Coney Island? The freaks of Coney Island are the damn homeless, blacks and welfare hispanics. The entire neighborhood needs to be cleansed.
posted by Hadassah on 2-16-2008 at 5:41 am
I remember one time years and years ago,
I went to see one of the Freak shows but
it was with a regular circus and it had the same guys in it, didn’t bother me but
what it had was little babies in formaldahyde saying they were two headed,
that was hard to take as they looked so
innocent and tiny, I felt so sorry for them. I’m not saying it was the circuses fault or not it was just so sad.
posted by Marysday on 2-16-2008 at 8:26 am
As someone who works in Coney Island every day, I would have to say that the real freaks are the ones who make racist comments about the neighborhood…our neighbors are who they are and we respect them for that. Everyone else should also.
posted by David on 2-19-2008 at 1:28 pm
….grew up in the ’50’s and remember the Freak Show with the coolest Freaks… the guy with no arms but who could type with his toes… and the fake jojo the dogfaced boy and more…totally cool !!!!! ..and the movie, ‘Freaks’ is the best!
posted by Sue on 2-20-2008 at 11:35 am
I love how the ” Josephene Myrtle Corbin” link is a Wikipedia entry. :)
posted by Jenni Robinson on 3-13-2008 at 7:35 pm
Has anyone seen the ‘half man, half tree’ special they had on National Geographic (or Discovery)? It’s unbelievably haunting; I recommend checking it out.
posted by Mari on 4-2-2008 at 7:00 pm
I would love to join the sideshow someday. Missing my legs from the knees down and my left arm from elbow down, I think it would be a great experience. Not to exploit my deformity and act but to show people the differences in some.
Awesome read though.
posted by Lana Lamour on 8-27-2008 at 2:55 am
For some reason… I find “Lionel” to be very attractive. In fact, I find many men with hypertrichosis attractive. Maybe I’m weird… but they’re so sexy!
posted by Lexie on 9-10-2008 at 3:38 am
To Hadassah,
Not everyone who is homeless is damned. Some of them are people who lost their way, and need to be helped. But you would rather shake your head at them, and damn them, rather than lift one little finger to help them. When you are homeless, and destitute, don’t expect a helping hand.
Judge not, lest you be judged. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.
posted by Michael on 10-20-2008 at 12:43 pm
Haha…I like how Michael’s post judges Hadassah’s post about judging.
I would say something about “people in glass houses” here but not only would that be a judgment on Michael, it would go against my complete “no stones throwing” policy (why should people in glass houses be the only ones to not throw stones?). And yes, I stole that observation from Dimitri Martin.
The freakshow at Coney Island is pretty awesome if you ever have the chance to check it out. Donny Vomit was an excellent MC and the rest of the performers were fun. Good times.
posted by Michael James on 10-23-2008 at 2:30 pm
How long before some of these people enter the reality tv show space?
posted by jmanley on 11-9-2008 at 4:45 pm
one word would describe this page…freaky!
and to the ignorant A**h*** with the racist remarks, your name doesn’t strike you out to be a white anglosaxon, so i can only conclude that you are not impressed with the way your own life is heading and have to take it out to the unfortunate…may you never be in a position like that, because i doubt you are strong enough or smart enough to handle it…you my dear are the true freakazoid on this page.
posted by Dana on 11-11-2008 at 11:49 pm
The History Channel did a great episode on the “Sideshow” some years back; many of the preformers were quite bitter about “outsiders” destroying shows with the exploitation angle; the busybodies were screwing up their livelihood, & destroying their cashcow.
posted by Steven on 11-28-2008 at 12:40 am
You know, as far as Hadassah is concerned, I’m simply flummoxed as to how anyone can support that belief. (I’m also fairly certain stupidity is a form of avodha zarah.)
As for the Coney Island performers, it’s interesting that a lot of the top-billed acts these days aren’t freaks per se, but folks who render themselves different, but would otherwise earn mainstream approval. It’s kind of like the environment has been made more conventionally family-friendly. The values have certainly changed over time (freak shows were the family-friendly activity over a hundred years ago as well.)
posted by T on 3-8-2009 at 3:16 am
I only wonder what future freak shows will be made up of.
Tattoos and piercings are so common now that persons with them no longer qualify as “freaks.” We see them everywhere.
Advances in medicine have allowed the prevention of a large percentage of birth defects such as microencephaly, dwarfism, hypertrichosis, dipygus twins, etc. Many of them can now be headed off with the introduction of vitamins and medications at certain times during pregnancy. Our current knowledge of simple things like nutrition, sanitation, and lifestyle also contribute to the reduction of birth “defects.”
So what will future “freaks” be?
posted by WolfHawk on 5-29-2009 at 4:25 pm