Evil Clowns: 1925

Oh my gosh. This photograph startled me out of my chair. I knew clowns were evil and this photograph proves it. Bad Clown.

As an old, retired circus clown the comments here break my heart, but that photograph scares the snot out of me.

Now I realize what this photo reminded me of... the Seinfeld episode where their unhinged accquaintance was dressed as Pagliacci. And the look on Kramer's face when he was asked by the clown whether he was still scared of clowns.

"Yeahhh..."

Didn't anyone else see Heath Ledger's Joker in the guy in the middle?

The Head Clown seems to be enjoying this a little too much.

Historically speaking, the clown "look" can be traced back to the costumes of commedia dell'arte in 16th-century Italy.

Underestimated the creepiness factor again.

look like the Mikado met Pagliacci during a Midsummer's Night Dream.

That's the first Maria von Trapp original clown costume I've ever seen. I also don't believe I've ever seen clowns in sensible dress shoes with tidy spats.

"Evil Clowns" is redundant.

[As is this comment! - Dave]

Clowns and Washington go hand in hand.

Sort of Emmett the Clown meets the KKK.

Now there's some good fuel for a clown phobia.

Who's to say these aren't Klansmen all dolled up in their Sunday-go-to-Beatin' robes?

Wanna have some candy? I'm sure someone can answer this, is there some historical basis for a clown costume? Some circuses have these "Zippy the Pinhead" costumes, is it because it is easier to smuggle kids out of a circus?
P.S. clowns creep me out.

Clowns will eat me.

Note to self: do not read Shorpy when you have insomnia. Now you will have nightmares!

Creepy!

The guy in the middle is trying to eat my soul with his eyes. Also, calling clowns evil is entirely redundant. What else could they possibly be?

Just when I thought those Klan photos were the kreepiest ever, this showed up. All those parading Klansmen would have screamed and run the other way if their parade had collided with the YWCA Circus parade.