Do You Love Clowns

They Scare Me

Do clowns scare you? With their crazy hair, big lips and clown pants. All of us have seen clowns, whether it be from a circus, on tv, or at a birthday party. Bozo is the name that comes to mind. They are supposed to be funny, and entertaining but oftentimes come across as spooky and scary with their exaggerated smiles and maniacal laughs. 

The Movie It

Most of us have seen the movie It with the clown (Pennywise) who hid in the sewer drain, telling us to come on down. “We all have fun down here.” Then grabbed the little boy leaning down to get a closer look at him. The boy never to be seen again. The clown in the movie was not friendly, pulling quarters from behind your ears, he instead scared and frightened people. 

John Wayne Gacy

Or maybe just maybe you remember the serial killer John Wayne Gacy, who dressed as a clown. Killing 33 boys and young men in the 1970’s. The 33 was a guestament, as before his death Gacy admitted the number was more like 45. 

Love Joaquin Phoenix

What about the more current movie Joker with Joaquin Phoenix. Phoenix gave a chilling performance, his laugh alone sent chills up and down my spine. Creepy does not begin to describe him in this movie. Phoenix did an outstanding job with his character, losing fifty plus pounds for the role. He embraced it with an intensity known for Phoenix. 

It's a Circus

Circuses along with clowns have been on the downside. Not sure how many people would want clowns at a birthday party now. I’m thinking of none. There was a great dip in their popularity after Gacy got caught and then along came the movie It. Clowns were no longer considered funny they took on a scarier persona for kids. 

Today there are approximately 50,000 to 100,000 clowns employed. Making anywhere from $49,000 a year to $79,000. If you enjoy making people laugh, maybe this is the job for you. It takes about one to two hours to put on makeup and get dressed. The transformation is stunning and oftentimes scary for younger kids. Girls are especially afraid of clowns. My thinking is who can blame them. Who are they under all that makeup? It’s easy to hide your true feelings under a pile of color. Ask John Wayne Gacy he will tell you.

If you know the name Emmett Kelly, you know clowns. He was a sad clown during the Great Depression and resonated for many people because they were also sad and struggled during that difficult time.

Just My Opinion

Myself, I believe the time for clowning and performing has passed. It is a different era, is there room for guys with huge shoes, striped pants, and a made-up face? Only in a circus. If I had gone to clown school and became a clown that is where I’d be looking for employment. Although a circus isn’t what it used to be either. PETA and others who advocate fair treatment for animals are an ache in the side of a circus owner. Me, I’d be on the side of the animal. This isn't something that comes normal for them, elephants performing, big cats on parade. My biggest wish would be to place them back in their natural habitat and let them live out their lives. Not to be placed in a cage after performing and traveling to another town only to do the same thing all over again. My heart goes out to the elephants, tigers, and lions kept in captivity. I bet if we asked them, they’d tell us to send them back where they came from. It’s always the animals who get the short end of the stick. 

Blah, circuses who needs them.

Speaking of clowns....

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