freak shows

Freak shows

A freak show features a variety of performers who are considered to be unusual and unique . The show usually features people such as : the deformed, conjoined twins, gigantism , dwarfism, limbless and many others .

The American Horror story

After reading an article from the human marvels freak show website, one of the most famous characters in the season four series of the American horror story, the freak show Pepper has been questioned  by many viewers whether the character is real. Pepper however is based by an inspirational talent, Schlitzie the pinhead. born in Bronx 1901  the beloved freak show character was sold by his parents to the show as entertainment at a very young age, although there were many other pinheads in a variety of freak shows he was the most famous and loved by the viewers. In the American horror story, Pepper however is played by a women, in reality the character based inspiration was in fact a boy.
 

The American horror story season four the freak show, features many characters who are based on both present and historical influences. Another famous character in the American horror story freak show, Meek is based off of freak show talent, Koo Koo the bird lady and table top dancer, who is known for having dwarfism.

Ethel darling another character which features in the American horror story is to be based on the bearded lady Emily Perry 1881, who was later revealed as a biological man .

The American horror story also features many other unique talents such as conjoined twins, the hopping man based off of real life inspirational acrobat Nicodemus1863, the wheelchair monster a character influenced by Fanny Mills 1860, a women who has a condition known as lymphedema which causes both the legs and feet to swell. Jimmy Darling known as the lobster boy in the season four series of the American horror story is known for being based on Fred Wilson a professional freak  with ectrodactyly
 
J Tithonus. (unknown). American horror story was pepper real. Available: http://www.thehumanmarvels.com/american-horror-story-real-freakshow-influences/. Last accessed 02/05/15. 
 
JTithonus Pednaud . (14/10/14). The real freaks featured in the American horror story opening credits. Available: http://www.thehumanmarvels.com/real-freaks-featured-american-horror-story-freak-show-opening-credits. Last accessed 02/05/15
 
JTithonus Pednaud . (unknown). American horror story the real freak show influences. Available: http://www.thehumanmarvels.com/american-horror-story-real-freakshow-influences/. Last accessed 02/05/15
 

Talents

 
Here are a few of the many talents featuring in a freak show :

-1927 the German polar bear princess
-The sword swallowing stunt
-1877 The human cannonball
-the bird lady
- the 1892 Egyptian human regurgerator
-fire eaters
- the little princess- 11.2 inches tall
-1905 the drunken daredevil
-Frank Richards the punching bag
-1782 the devils violinist
-Martin Laurello the human owl- able to turn his head 180 degrees
-The extreme pincushion
- the man who can smoke through his eyes
Anonymous. (2006-2013). talents. Available: http://www.thehumanmarvels.com/category/talents/. Last accessed 02/05/15

deformity

many of the acts which feature in a freak show are sometimes deformed many of the well known acts include:
-The man with three eyes 1913
-The women with a muled face 1888
-The penguin lady 1910
-The bigfoot lady 1860
-The camel girl 1870
-The pony boy
-The elephant man
-The man with two faces
-Poor Edward -Edward Mordrake
-Ostrich people from Zimbabwe
Anonymous. (2006-2008). deformity. Available: http://www.thehumanmarvels.com/category/deformity/. Last accessed 02/05/15
 

Limbless

Many acts which feature in the freak show are sometimes known to be limbless, many of these famous acts include.
 
- 1844 the legless acrobat-Eli Bowen
-The Armless wonder Charles Tripp
-The armless dynamo- Kittie Smith
-1901 Stanley Berent - the seal boy
-1911 Johnny  Eck- half man
Anonymous. (2006-2012). limbless. Available: http://www.thehumanmarvels.com/category/limbless/. Last accessed 02/05/15
 

Dwarfism

Dwarfism is also known to be featured in a freak show many of the acts include:
-1838 Tom Thumb - the most famous act with dwarfism
-The famous frog boy
- The little princess who is 11.2 inches tool
Anonymous. (2012-2008). dwarfism. Available: http://www.thehumanmarvels.com/category/dwarfism/. Last accessed 02/05/15
 
 

Parasitic

acts which have been known to feature in freaks under the heading of paracitic include:
- The four legged women 1868 known as Myrtle Corbin
-1931 Len and Ernie the two boys with only one head
-1889 the three legged man  Francesco Lentini
-Percilla the monkey girl
-werewolf syndrome
Anonymous. (2006-2007). parasitic. Available: http://www.thehumanmarvels.com/category/parasitic-twins/. Last accessed 02/05/15

conjoined twins

conjoined twin is another type of act which features in a  freak show, The two headed nightingale- Millie Christine , the Bohemian twins and the Siamese Indian twins are just a few of the known famous conjoined twins .
 
Anonymous. (2007-2008). conjoined twins. Available: http://www.thehumanmarvels.com/category/ conjoinedtwins/. Last accessed 02/05/15.
 
 
 

gigantism

many of the famous acts which have featured in freaks shows known to be considered giants include: The Chinese giant - Chang; The mighty Cardiff giant and the Willow Bunch giant.

Anonymous. (2007-2008). conjoined twins. Available: http://www.thehumanmarvels.com/category/ gigantism/. Last accessed 02/05/15