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| DURING the off-seasons of 1924 and 1925, Schlitzie appeared with the Elk's Charity Circus in New York. One news article mentioned that the "freaks" for this Circus were supplied by Sam Wagner. Sam was the manager of the World Circus Sideshow (above), which leads me to believe that Schlitzie must have appeared there also. The above photo was taken during the 1940's (notice the two gobs on the left) so I don't know if the front to Mr. Wagner's Show looked the same in the '20's. |
| (left) This pic is from "Sideshow: Max Rusid's Photo Album of Human Oddities". The author notes that "this photo (was) taken at Coney Island in 1926". I haven't been able to verify which venue in Coney Island but it could not have been taken after April of that year because Zip and Krao, bottom row 2nd & 3rd from right, died that month. Did you find Schlitzie? He's in the bottom row, 4th from left. |
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| Ari Roussimoff, director of "Freaks Uncensored: A Human Sideshow" states on his website that Schlitzie's first film appearance was in this 1928 silent film. I cannot verify this, as the film exists only in its original form and is rarely screened. The other "internationally famous freaks" referred to in the ad were Tex Madeson, giant; Martha McGruger, fat lady; Chester Morton, human skeleton and armless man Peter Dimuki [Dismuki]. If Mr. Roussimoff is correct, then Schlitzie (and his caretakers) relocated to the West Coast in 1927 -28 as from then on all Schlitzie's appearances are based in California. Up to this time, he had been based in New York for about the first 20 years of his career. The Al G. Barnes Circus provided the backdrop for this film and one is tempted to believe that Schlitzie must have been part of that traveling show. However, this Circus at the time of filming was then wintering in the Los Angeles area. Therefore, because of its proximity to Hollywood, the wintering Al G. Barnes Circus provided the backdrop for several other motion pictures as well, including "His Tiger Lady" (1928), "Charlie Chan at the Circus" (1936) and "Circus Girl" (1937) |
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| FREAK SHOW AT FAIR WINS FAVOR; Large Crowd Visits Midway Show - The European Freak Show was well patronized yesterday both by the children in the day and their elders at night. Although the other shows did a good business, the freaks seemed to have the heaviest patronage.
The antics of the little pin head Schlitzie kept the crowd roaring with laughter while other times the half man-woman kept them guessing if he is a she or she is a he. The midget woman danced, the fat girl sang, the mentalist told the articles held up although blindfolded, and the snake enchantress showed her power over the reptile and then the half man did his act. This person having no arms or legs [Prince Randion] shows what will-power can accomplish by rolling and lighting a cigarette and using a razor entirely with his lips. This show is exhibiting here for the first time and is probably the best of its kind ever at the fair. Centralia (Washington) Daily Chronicle; Aug 21, 1930 |
| Program for the Elks charity circus, 1924. Schlitzie was part of the sideshow that appeared in the basement. (author's collection) |
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