Sideshow Illusions

Sideshow expert Jon Marshall has created a unique business model: replicating the freak shows of the past as corporate entertainment. Check out his pitch in the video below, then visit his web site.

Also, you can see a great "audio slideshow" where he another expert discuss the history of sideshows at the bottom of this page.

Books Selected and endorsed for Pure Weirdness by Your WU Team

Who We Are
Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Posted By: Paul - Thu Mar 26, 2009
Category: Entertainment | Fairs, Amusement Parks, and Resorts | Human Marvels

Comments

The half lady could be real but some friends and I use to do this trick in a backyard haunted house we use to do every year for Halloween. But we did it with just a talking head on a table. A table in a c-shaped room with properly postioned mirrors does the trick.

Posted by Madd Maxx on 03/26/09 at 12:51 PM

If anyone is interested in learning some of the tricks and how they were done try reading <u>Secrets of the Sideshows</u> by Joe Nickell. Although I don't remember anything about the headless woman trick.

Posted by Madd Maxx on 03/26/09 at 01:14 PM

Great. The upper half of a woman who doesn't seem to shut up and a headless one who seems quiet and demure. I think he got which one should have been which completely wrong!

And except for the boob count, both of them at the same time would still only count as one.

:lol:

Posted by DownCrisis on 03/26/09 at 10:33 PM

Teach your kid a few of the tricks and have him set up a stage instead of a lemonade stand. You could start doing sideshows like this in your own front yard for gas money.

Posted by Nethie on 03/26/09 at 10:55 PM

I'd rather have a whole person who can be relatively quiet than half of one that never shuts up. I guess I lost that in my explanation. Sorry.

Posted by DownCrisis on 03/26/09 at 11:07 PM

We'll just have to find something that will keep you're mouth busy.

😜

Posted by DownCrisis on 03/26/09 at 11:34 PM

Commenting is not available in this channel entry.