This looks like the sort of toy a young Diane Arbus might’ve played with. The plastic stage with vinyl banner stands about 7″ tall and the two carnival sideshow freaks have movable heads and… appendages.
Carny Sideshow Freaks Playset
Submitted by Douglas Wood
March 31st, 2010
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Allee Willis
I don’t usually like freak show anything but this is exceptional. Does it actually do anything or can you just move the two side show freaks’ limbs around? Like can they do battle with each other? And is the allquestion “Why?” posed on the vinyl curtain ever answered anywhere? Is there any kind of little motor underneath the base?
I hope Monica Johnson sees this. From her art I think she’d love this. https://www.alleewillis.com/awmok/kitschenette/author/monica-johnson/
denny
I love this and have long had a fascination with sideshow banners. This reminds me of the book I read on Grady Stiles, “Lobster Boy” but the “Frog Girl” is new to me! Great post Doug!
MyFunCloset
Very Good! I’ve never seen anything like this!
Douglas Wood
Allee– yes, I suppose the two freaks could battle one another, action-figure style, but there’s really not a whole helluva lot you can do with this play set, although your mention of it being motorized sounds like a lot of fun.
Denny– Haven’t heard of Grady Stiles, but I have a perverse fascination for the creepy underbelly of carnivals, sideshows, etc. Should I read the book? And do you have actual sideshow banners?
Speaking of which– there are two fantastic stores in Santa Monica that have truly stupendous (and very high priced) vintage items including old circus memorabilia. They’re right next to one another on Main Street but oddly enough, they’re not in any way related: OBSOLETE and URBAN COUNTRY. If you’re in town you should check them out– I’ve never seen anything even remotely like them. I’ve never bought anything there because the prices are pretty outrageous, but fantasize about going on a shopping spree if I come into serious money.
Allee Willis
I had no idea there was anything remotely authentically vintage on Main Street at all. I’ll never pay top dollar but I know your taste enough by now to trust you if you say they have stupendous stuff I’ll hit them the next time I’m out there for sure.