in Weird

50+ Scary And Dangerous Circus Performances That May Scare You

8.2k Views 2 Comments

The first modern circus was opened in 1768 by Philip Astley, but some historians believe that circuses were originated from Ancient Rome. Circuses gained popularity in the 19th and 20th century, and now there are shutting down because people have found various other ways of entertainment. Circuses used many kinds of domestic and wild animals, acrobats, musicians, jugglers, and various other artists who perform stunts to entertain people. In modern times people have changed their ideas about entertainment because circuses mistreated both animals and humans. Animal trainers in circuses use bullhooks, whips, and electric shocks to train animals to perform tricks. We here at Bygonely have collected some dangerous and creepy circus performers from the past that will scare you.

#1 Circus contortionist balancing with his teeth, 1900s

Circus contortionist balancing with his teeth, 1900s

6 Points
Upvote Downvote

#2 Facial contortionist Alfred Hyland, gurning during an exhibition in Glasgow, 1938

Facial contortionist Alfred Hyland, gurning during an exhibition in Glasgow, 1938

4 Points
Upvote Downvote

#3 Pablo Noel performing a dangerous stunt in Hamburg, Germany in 1962

Pablo Noel performing a dangerous stunt in Hamburg, Germany in 1962

4 Points
Upvote Downvote

#4 A strongwoman balances a piano and pianist on her chest, 1920

A strongwoman balances a piano and pianist on her chest, 1920

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

#5 Acrobats perform a delicate balancing act on a ledge of the Empire State Building in New York City, 1934

Acrobats perform a delicate balancing act on a ledge of the Empire State Building in New York City, 1934

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

#6 Daredevil Gladys Roy trains for her flying acrobatics by balancing on the rooftop of a skyscraper in Los Angeles, 1925

Daredevil Gladys Roy trains for her flying acrobatics by balancing on the rooftop of a skyscraper in Los Angeles, 1925

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#8 A seal performing in a harness, the trainer nearby, at a circus, 1942

A seal performing in a harness, the trainer nearby, at a circus, 1942

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#9 Members of Bertram Mills Freak Show are examined by a medical profession. On the examination table is the ‘Giraffe Necked Woman’, 1935

Members of Bertram Mills Freak Show are examined by a medical profession. On the examination table is the ‘Giraffe Necked Woman’, 1935

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#10 A man carrying twins, two 36-year-olds who are part of a circus act, in his bags, 1935

A man carrying twins, two 36-year-olds who are part of a circus act, in his bags, 1935

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#11 Anita, ‘the Living Doll’, sits for a portrait, 1912

Anita, ‘the Living Doll’, sits for a portrait, 1912

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#12 JoJo, the “Dog face Boy” performed in circuses, 1900

JoJo, the “Dog face Boy" performed in circuses, 1900

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#13 Circus legend Karl Wallenda crossing the Tallulah Gorge, 1970

Circus legend Karl Wallenda crossing the Tallulah Gorge, 1970

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#19 Two acrobats doing a aerial balance by their teeth

Two acrobats doing a aerial balance by their teeth

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#20 George Challard bending an iron bar with his teeth, 1935

George Challard bending an iron bar with his teeth, 1935

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#23 Snake Charmer girl charming snakes and pythings, 1900s

Snake Charmer girl charming snakes and pythings, 1900s

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#24 Czech showman Baron Richard Nowak, 19, stands 21 inches high & weighs 17 lbs., blowing on a trumpet as he nestles inside tuba player of the Hamid-Morton Circus, 1940

Czech showman Baron Richard Nowak, 19, stands 21 inches high & weighs 17 lbs., blowing on a trumpet as he nestles inside tuba player of the Hamid-Morton Circus, 1940

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#25 Samson Brown, the world’s strongest man, lets a motorcycle run over him, 1934

Samson Brown, the world’s strongest man, lets a motorcycle run over him, 1934

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#26 Man crushes a block placed on the stomach of a strongman, 1930

Man crushes a block placed on the stomach of a strongman, 1930

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#27 Dixie the elephant from Whipsnade Zoo performs part of her repertoire with her keeper George Braham, 1932

Dixie the elephant from Whipsnade Zoo performs part of her repertoire with her keeper George Braham, 1932

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#29 A circus elephant balances on its front legs, 1920

A circus elephant balances on its front legs, 1920

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#30 German strongman Eugene Sandow and Goliath wrestling with “a bear.”, 1910

German strongman Eugene Sandow and Goliath wrestling with “a bear.”, 1910

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#34 Edwardian circus performer Pansy Chinery with dangling in the air by her teeth, 1916

Edwardian circus performer Pansy Chinery with dangling in the air by her teeth, 1916

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#35 Sonora Webster Carver diving with her horse, Lightning

Sonora Webster Carver diving with her horse, Lightning

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#39 Spanish high wire cycling act The Mestelrich Trio, performing high above Battersea Pleasure Gardens, London.

Spanish high wire cycling act The Mestelrich Trio, performing high above Battersea Pleasure Gardens, London.

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#41 A strong man carrying 12 men on his legs in a circus perofrmance

A strong man carrying 12 men on his legs in a circus perofrmance

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#45 Trick cyclist riding around in the crazy mouse wheel

Trick cyclist riding around in the crazy mouse wheel

-1 Points
Upvote Downvote

#46 An elephant from Earl’s Court Circus with a man in its mouth.

An elephant from Earl's Court Circus with a man in its mouth.

-1 Points
Upvote Downvote

#47 Elephants from the Blackpool Whitsun Circus being unloaded at Tilbury docks, 1928

Elephants from the Blackpool Whitsun Circus being unloaded at Tilbury docks, 1928

-1 Points
Upvote Downvote

#48 Animal trainers from Bertram Mills Circus rehearse with the elephants at the circus’s winter quarters in Ascot in preparation for their next performance at Olympia in London, 1949

Animal trainers from Bertram Mills Circus rehearse with the elephants at the circus's winter quarters in Ascot in preparation for their next performance at Olympia in London, 1949

-1 Points
Upvote Downvote

#52 A woman circus performer, dressed in a leopard skin gladiator costume, places her head in a lion’s mouth

A woman circus performer, dressed in a leopard skin gladiator costume, places her head in a lion's mouth

-2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#53 German circus performer Alsons Tonelli performs a headstand on a rope 120 feet from the ground at Battersea Festival Gardens, London

German circus performer Alsons Tonelli performs a headstand on a rope 120 feet from the ground at Battersea Festival Gardens, London

-3 Points
Upvote Downvote
Avatar of Jacob Aberto

Written by Jacob Aberto

Sincere, friendly, curious, ambitious, enthusiast. I'm a content crafter and social media expert. I love Classic Movies because their dialogue, scenery and stories are awesome.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2 Comments