Have any of you ever had a scheduled performance cancel because someone found out about it and they are afraid of clowns. I lost 2 gigs today because the director of the Library - who most likely wouldnt be there anyway - claims to be caulrophobic. Im not sure if I believe the excuse - it may be a clever way of getting rid of me - but wouldn't it seem to be easier to simply avoid the program and allow the kids to have fun than to cancel the whole thing.

I'll never understand why anyone would fear a 300 lb man in makeup- OK, I 'll never understand why anyone would be afraid of a clown. :?

Hey Banana:

I had a post (09/19/04 , title "Another experience) - it's to long to re-write, if you can find it-the last part of it might be encouraging . some people still love clowns.

By the bye- I checked out your websight, terrific.

Oh yeah-I'm no Mr. America either

Later buddy
Lloyd

You can thank this bad clown personna out there that is the latest craze. Though I don't harbor any ill feelings towards Steven King, the success of his movie "IT" sure started a whole new generation of scary, shocking, killing clowns. I would be curious if back in the days of the Bozo TV series, there were ever any kids that were so terrified they had to be removed. I sort of see this as a fairly recent phenomenon.

As far as having your problem, can't say I have, though I am told by various clown aficionados that my face make up should scare the :twisted: out of the kids. Hasn't really happened. I'm actually very sorry to here of you having that problem!

By the way, I also checked out your website and thorughly enjoyed it!!! :D

.....Yeah, and there's Insane Clown Posse... does great things for our image, We need this like Caesar needed another dagger.

about my make-up--- allegedly it is supposed to be scary, but most kids seem to like me-in spite of the oversized smile. by the bye Fred I like your face too.

Thanks Walmoe 1! I guess it really has a lot to do with delivery! I imagine the cutest looking, non-threatening, flowery clown could frighten a child if the clown made a menacing look!

By the way, I read you were a ventriloquist. Was that something you practiced at, or was it rather natural from the get-go?

[quote="RedClownFred"]Thanks Walmoe 1! I guess it really has a lot to do with delivery! I imagine the cutest looking, non-threatening, flowery clown could frighten a child if the clown made a menacing look!

By the way, I read you were a ventriloquist. Was that something you practiced at, or was it rather natural from the get-go?[/quot

Well, Fred when I was aout 10 or so I wanted to be a ventriloquist (Re Paul Winchell's shows and I loved jimmy Nelson and Danny O Day)so I got a book out of the library- and with my learning disabilities I couldn't understand it-So I gave up. Since this is the golden age of video and that's easier to understand, I started vent-and clowning at the young age of 50 (I'm 56 now)

I used to do vent. When I was younger, I had a Charlie McCarthy dummy, and one that sears made called Simon says. It actually had a control stick. as apposed to a string in the back of the neck.
I'm glad to see you didn't give up Walmoe! It's nice to know that it wasn't your own disability, It was just lack of adequate teaching materials.

Speaking of the great Paul Winchell, I am sad to hear of his passing. He is probably regarded as the best "Vent' that has ever lived. Did you know he was a shy youth who stuttered. He too, was fascinated with ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his dummy pal Charlie McCarthy. Apparently Winchell learned to throw his own voice and gradually overcame his speech impediment. And look at the legacy he left!!! I believe Venting is truly a talent that should not be taken for granted. Here's to you both! 8)

can i cut in for a second sorry about this but 1 thing... I HATE "IT" im 13 and it scared my pants off when i was 5 :evil: :evil: :evil:

thankyou for listening :D

Hi R-T-R! I understand about "IT" My perception is that once that movie came out it created a shock wave of fear from clowns...of all types! I am curious, after being so scared by that movie, did you go on to be a clown yourself? And if so, how come? Red Clown Fred

I was terrified on clowns from age 4 until age 14.....yep, all those years I would cry just at the sight of a clown.
It was becuase I saw a commercial that featured an evil cown once, and, what with my wild immagination, I was afraid like all get out.

Ironically, watching IT cured my fear. Not sure how that works, but maybe I finally just came to my senses!

Ive never been afreade of anything to do with Clowns i watch Horror with Clowns Such as IT & Twisted Metal who has a icecream truck driveing Killer clown with fire hair. But i Think Pogo the Clown AKA John wayne Gacy is what astarted Fear of Clowns & the evil image

I've had less people scared of me as Wolfman than as SME. And the degree of fright is greater with SME. But there are still those that love the clowns (hopefully WAY more). Truth be told, I'd rather be Wolfman - but you can only do that during October. Don't get me wrong, I like being a clown, but I like it because I can go out and make people happy ... by being silly. And normal people expect a clown suit if you're going to act like a clown.

8)