SHOCKED AND AMAZED
ON AND OFF THE MIDWAY
JAMES TAYLOR
THE LYONS PRESS

At the turn of the 20th century a new type of entertainment was developing -Side Shows. There had always been traveling carnivals and theater productions, but now there was an additional show accompaining them. At this show you were able to pay 50¢ to see all types of wonders such as Monkey Girl, Alligator Skin Man or The Half Girl with the American Giant. These shows toured most profitably until the late fifties and sixties, when the rest of the population began speaking out of behalf of the “exploited.” Side shows were protested and one could not be “PC” if they attended a show. Well, James Taylor got a chance to talk to these entertainers and get their side of the story. We hear all about their up-bringings, love stories and their business adventures. Some of the interviews include Francesco A. Lentini, who was born with three legs, Freda-Fred, half man and half woman, and more famous individuals like the Hilton sisters, Daisy and Violet. The girls are siamese twins attached at the spinal column, who have appeared in the movies Freaks and Chained for Life. Many of the interviews are in Q&A format, while others just allow the story to be told from the first person. The writing ablility is less then desirable, however. While reading the story of the Hilton sisters horrible up-bringing, there was suddenly a whole paragraph summarizing the events I’m was in the middle of reading. If you can get past such things, the stories are interesting and fun to read. DH.

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