Believe it or not, there are still people who find clowns charming, and don’t recognize them as the sinister creations from the bloody bowels of hell that they are. Here are 17 clowns from yesteryear that will hopefully provide them a healthy fear of these infernal hell-beings …. before it’s too late.
Lon Chaney Sr. once said, “There’s nothing funny about a clown in the moonlight.” Truer words were never spoken.
This picture was found on a roll of film discovered next to the skeletal remains of a murder victim. Obviously, this was the last thing the poor victim saw before his death.
Okay, none of that is true. But it’s still a creepy picture.
Vaudeville circus clown with his instruments
There’s something haunting about the really old clown photographs. They really accentuate the quasi-demonic nightmare qualities of the loveable clown.
Can you even imagine trying to eat your sugar coated rice while staring into the infernal eyes of a Demon Lord?
When Ronald McDonald isn’t giving children Type II Diabetes, he’s busy posing with children, whispering vile threats.
A wise man once said: “”Few things are as hopelessly saturated with the stink of fear and death as a colorful, smiling clown.”
But let’s not forget that clowns are people too. People that want to kill you.
Infants recognize the horrific nature of clowns; it’s only as adults that we lose our ability to sense evil.
1950s Photograph from the Circus Circus hotel/casino in Las Vegas
If you can take your eyes off the cigarette girl in the foreground, you will notice a very troubling clown-child interaction in the background. This is what nightmares are made of.
The fear of clowns is known as “Coulrophobia”. I’d like to add another phobia to the list: “Counter-Coulrophobia” – The fear that those not afraid of clowns are actually clowns themselves.
Balloon animals are the bait with which they lure their prey. Teach your children not to be fooled by this simple, yet diabolical, trickery.
An analysis of those involved in this hideous clown encounter (from left to right):
(1) He discerns the hellfire within, and is not pleased.
(2) She puts on a brave face, fighting back tears. Mustn’t show signs of weakness to clown. Good girl.
(3) Dad is hopelessly oblivious.
(4) Egad! Big brother is shaking his hand! He’s just made a pact!
Am I the only one here who’s disturbed by the way this clown is looking at this kid?
Clown Fact of the Day: The Joker was originally based on Conrad Veidt’s role in the silent film, The Man Who Laughs (1928) shown above. Let the nightmares commence.
A rare glimpse into a clown household, AKA the house where evil dwells.
Clowns are supposed to bring cheer; yet, their mask is corpse-like, their painted smiles frozen, their attributes grotesque…. is it any wonder they awaken a primal fear in many of us? Hopefully, these pictures have brought a few more clown-fearers into the fold.
THE END
Would you like to support Flashbak?
Please consider making a donation to our site. We don't want to rely on ads to bring you the best of visual culture. You can also support us by signing up to our Mailing List. And you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For great art and culture delivered to your door, visit our shop.
