| MARTHA MORRIS |
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| "I visited, among other places, the big Chicago exhibition, and while there, of course, paid a visit to several side shows included in the entertainment. I was disappointed to find only one representative of the limbless beauty cult: and her, Martha Morris, I had seen several times before. Mis Morris is billed as an "Armless wonder," and is a quite pretty brunette with perfect, unblemished shoulders that reveal not a single trace of either arms or stumps. She is, too, to all intents and purposes, legless, as herr tiny pretty feet are attached practically to her hips. She uses her feet and toes as hands and fingers, and the interesting thing is that she cannot walk, and never has done, her feet have always been used as hands. She has been before the American public for at least ten years, to my knowledge, and has never travelled anywhere else. " --- London Life; 30 Sept 1933 |
| Does the single toe ring on the left foot indicate Martha was married at one time? |
| It is believed that Martha's first appearance was as "Mlle. Martha" at the World's Museum in Philadelphia in 1921. She was then 17 years old. She also appeared at Hubert's Museum in 1925. 1926 was her first and, I believe, only season with the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus Sideshow. Martha had a brief scene in Tod Browning"s "Freaks" (1932). She must have been thrilled to be filming at MGM as Martha was an avid moviegoer and famous celebrities were always coming and going on the lot. She appeared at the Chicago World's Fair the following year. Martha died in her home town of Chicago in 1937 of pneumonia. She was only 33 years old. |
| If you look closely you can see Martha's banner in the background |
| (above) Martha at Hubert's Museum, 1925. Edward J. Kelty photo from "Step Right This Way" Also in this photo is Zip, in the furry suit, who passed away the following year and Juan and Martina de la Cruz, little people, brother and sister from the Philippines. (left) Detail from above photo. |
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