March 5, 2010

Hilarity


"Being a funny person does an awful lot of things to you. You feel that you mustn't get serious with people. They don't expect it from you, and they don't want to see it. You're not entitled to be serious, you're a clown, and they only want you to make them laugh." (Fanny Brice)

"Bumpsy" Anthony, Circus Clown
from Wisconsin History

16 comments:

Steph(anie) said...

Yes. And sometimes it ends in tragedy.

I guess I should stop telling people that sometimes I think my son is Chris Farley reincarnated. But really, you should see that kid.

Sarcastic Bastard said...

Great quote. Great photo.

That Hank said...

Steph: yeah, I dunno how I'd feel about that one.

SB: I thought they were a good match.

Steph(anie) said...

I don't intend to turn him into a child actor or anything, it's just that he does these pratfalls and exagerrated movements. And he's very... round.

That Hank said...

I sure know how that goes.

Ms. Moon said...

Marilyn B., who delivered a lot of circus babies at one time said that clowns were the meanest people of all. I think they are very angry about something. Probably having to wear those big shoes.
Seriously- there is something just inherently sad (and yes, scary) about a clown.

tony said...

We All Gain Roles Through Life.Once You Get Labelled, It can be difficult to move beyond it.

That Hank said...

I think Bumpsy knew all about that.

May said...

Bumpsy scares the living daylights out of me.

That Hank said...

May, I knew you would love him most.

The Subversive Librarian said...

I found you via Sarcastic Bastard. Wonderful stuff on this blog! That's the saddest clown I ever did see.

That Hank said...

Thanks! Yeah, as soon as I saw that photo, I had to post it.

Verdant Earl said...

Clowns terrify me too. Especially sad hobo clowns with frighteningly long necks.

That Hank said...

I'm pretty sure that clowns like this figured strongly in the childhoods of Stephen King and Rob Zombie.

kmhblack said...

Bumpsy was a great man and loved to make people laugh. He felt that even when he was at his absolute worst the people around him had to be smiling. It was his responsiblity to make sure of this. The Original Sad Sack clown that gets very little recognition for what he was and yet... I think he would be fine with that.

That Hank said...

Thank you so much for your post and your moving words. You knew him?