ShowBiz
The Great Gravityo
The Great Gravityo was the stage name of Albert Franklin Davidson (1880-1949), a multi-talented performer whose career spanned the first half of the 20th Century. He's one of many once-popular performers who are now all but forgotten. His specialty was pulling cars and lifting heavy weights with his hair, but he was also a sharpshooter, juggler, magician, and trapeze artist.
He performed right up to the end of his life, dying of a heart attack shortly after a performance at the age of 69. It's amazing he still had his hair at 69, given his occupation.
There was hardly any info online about him. But here's a brief description of his act I found in the Paris Texas News (Sep 4, 1941):
Posted By: Alex - Sun May 06, 2012 -
Comments (8)
Category: Human Marvels, ShowBiz
Happy Harry
I recently found out about an animator named Harry Partridge who does bizarre shorts that are perfect Weird Universe material. These two are my favorites, but be sure to go to the Happy Harry Toons YouTube page for more absurdity.
Posted By: Salamander Sam - Fri Nov 05, 2010 -
Comments (1)
Category: Celebrities, Dreams and Nightmares, Humor, Pop Culture, ShowBiz, Surrealism, Cartoons
Dusty’s Trail
Generally regarded as a contender for Worst TV Show Ever, this short-lived series exactly mapped Gilligan's Island onto the Wild West.
Watch as much of this episode as you can.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Oct 07, 2010 -
Comments (11)
Category: Ineptness, Crudity, Talentlessness, Kitsch, and Bad Art, Regionalism, ShowBiz, Television, 1970s
Follies of the Mad Men #117
Can you imagine Angelina Jolie touting a Kia? No? That's because there is no more glamour in Hollywood or Detroit.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Aug 07, 2010 -
Comments (3)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, ShowBiz, 1950s, Cars
Thank You James Earl Jones
Here's two reasons to be grateful for James Earl Jones. First, the original voice of David Prowse as Darth Vader, which, thankfully was replaced by Jones.Darth's Original Voice
Next, a slightly different take on Darth Vader with other dialogue from various James Earl Jones movies. My favorite is Darth Vader's advice about women at about 4 minutes, or where Darth adjusts the radio around 7:30 or later.
Darth Earl Jones or James Earl Vader?
Some language -- NSFW?
There is also a shorter version available which is also good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGGbIj6giXk&feature=related
Posted By: gdanea - Tue Jan 05, 2010 -
Comments (7)
Category: ShowBiz
One-Man Bands
Having recently watched Mary Poppins, I wondered if anyone actually performed as a one-man band these days.Maybe only in cartoons?
But no. Unfortunately for us, the one-man band tradition continues to flourish.
See several others after the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Fri Mar 20, 2009 -
Comments (3)
Category: Human Marvels, Music, ShowBiz, Stupidity
George Putnam, RIP
TV newscaster George Putnam has died. Read his LOS ANGELES TIMES obituary here.Putnam was frequently cited as the inspiration for the Ted Baxter character on THE MARY TYLER MOORE show.
Make your own judgment based on the videos below.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Sep 16, 2008 -
Comments (5)
Category: Centuries, Death, Obituaries, Entertainment, Actors, Hollywood, ShowBiz, Stupidity, Television
Accordion Revival
Be afraid, be very afraid. According to this LA TIMES article, one of the world's weirdest instruments, the accordion, is rising in popularity once again.Here's a clip of one of the people spearheading the movement.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Aug 25, 2008 -
Comments (13)
Category: Entertainment, Fads, Music, ShowBiz
Obama = Antichrist?!?
Did John McCain and posse really intend to portray Barack Obama as the Antichrist in this recent campaign ad?Decide for yourself....
Posted By: Paul - Sun Aug 10, 2008 -
Comments (9)
Category: Celebrities, Frauds, Cons and Scams, Government, Officials, Humor, Politics, Religion, ShowBiz, Television, Video, Advertising
Lez Zepplin
Loyal and perceptive reader Rain Oubliette, commenting on the Space Age Fridge Ladies, mentions that they resemble an all-female Devo cover band, possibly named "Shevo." Well, no such weird group exists, to the best of my knowledge. But we do have the incomparable Lez Zepplin.Watch them perform in the clip below.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Aug 01, 2008 -
Comments (3)
Category: Music, ShowBiz, Gender, LGBT, Women, Sex Symbols, 1960s, 1970s
| Who We Are |
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| 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 thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Contact Us |