F.A.Q.S.
Frequently Asked Questions about Schlitze
Q. I've read his name was Simon Metz - Is that true?
A.   The first time we hear this full name for Schlitzie is in the film "Freaks Uncensored" which was released in Feb 1999.  This author is offering US$100 to the first person who can prove otherwise.

Q.  I've seen pictures of him in a muumuu but he doesn't look like a woman.  Was he?
A.  No, Schlitzie was male. You can see a five o'clock shadow in some of his close-ups. 

Q.   I heard he wore a dress because it was easier to change his "diapers". Is that true?
A.  No,  Schlitzie was toilet trained and there are many photos of him not in a dress.  If you look closely, even in "Freaks", you'll notice he's wearing some sort of leggings. It appears the dress was added to his wardrobe, probably in the late 20's, to get the audience guessing his gender.

Q.   Why was he called an "Aztec"?
A.  Two mentally retarded individuals were exhibited for about fifty years beginning in 1851.  They were billed as "Maximo and Bartola, the Aztec Children."  And ever since, many retarded performers were billed as "Aztecs". 

Q.   What was Schlitze's I.Q.?
A.  Since Schlitzie could parrot words, use the toilet and to take simple commands it is believed he was "severely retarded" but not "profoundly retarded."   A "normal" six-year-old has an IQ of about 50, however S. has been described by those who knew him as more like a three-year-old. 

Q.  In the photos I've seen of him standing near someone else he looks little.  How tall was he?
A.  Schlitze is believed to have grown to about 4 feet tall, maybe a little more.  He was a dwarf by the standards of the Little People of America.

Q.  I heard he got his name from the Schlitz beer company.  Is that true?
A.  This story originated in an article in Screen Book Magazine (April 1932) about the movie "Freaks".  It is not true but makes for an entertaining story.

Q.   When and where was he born?
A.  It is commonly reported that Schlitzie was born in 1892 because he was said to be 40 years old when "Freaks" was made. 

Q.   Do we know anything about his parents or family?
A.  No, and it's not certain if this can ever be found out.

Q.  What do you mean "if this can not be found out?"
A.  Schlitzie could have been adopted, legally or otherwise. 

Q.  But I heard or read that he had a sister.
A.  The pinhead performer known as "Athelia" was commonly referred to as Schlitzie's sister.  Although this is possible, more than likely the two at one time shared a professional, not blood, relationship.

Q.  I read that he was originally known as "Maggie, the Last of the Aztecs", true?
A.  The late Fred. Drimmer repeats this in his book "Very Special People". He was quoting from an article in either Screen Book Magazine or Motion Picture (magazine).  Although it's certainly possible, this author has never seen this reported anywhere else as a moniker for Schlitzie.

Q.   How much was Schlitze paid for appearing in "Freaks"?
A.  Literally speaking, nothing.  Schlitzie, of course, could not handle his own financial affairs.

Q.   Was he in any other movies?
A.   Ari Roussimoff in "Freaks Uncensored" say Schlitze was in 14 motion pictures. 
Schlitzie's guardian would have been paid.  Johnny Eck, the half-man in the movie, said he was paid about $35.  That's about $400 in today's money.
If Schlitzie was legally adopted those papers might be sealed.  If he was "purchased" or given away it is doubtful his true identity will ever be known
It is possible that back in the 1910's Schlitzie and Athelia were exhibited as Aztec Women "Aurora and Natalie"
Director Roussimoff mentions on his website that Schlitzie's film debut was in the 1929 silent movie "The Side Show".  He also says Schlitze was in "Island of Lost Souls" (1933) and "Tomorrow's Children" (1934).  This author does not believe S. is in either of these films. The only other film this author has personally seen that has Schlitzie in it is "Meet Boston Blackie" (1941)
A newswriter did a mock interview with Schlitzie in 1927 to advertise the Elks Club Charity Circus.  Schlitzie "said": "How did I get my name?  I developed a fondness for beer made in Milwaukee.  I helped to make that city famous along with millions of other consumers."  Apparently, somebody read the interview and took it seriously.
The first time we hear the surname "Metz" is in a call bureau cast sheet for "Meet Boston Blackie" where it is stated that the "Bird Woman" was played by "Schlitzzy Metz"
As he got older, however, he wore a condom catheter and later incontinent briefs.
Also, two people who knew him personally have stated that he was male.
Also, when Schlitzie began in the business Mexico had been in the news a  number of years because of the revolutions that had been taking place.  Americans became interested in seeing anybody or anything from their neighboring country, so billing Schlitzie as an Aztec Indian was a natural.
However, his recently discovered (May 2007) death certificate reveals he was born in New York in 1901.
Perhaps he was so billed when he was with the RBB&B Circus Sideshow in 1924 and '25.
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