When Robert Ripley lost the freakshow franchise for the 1939 New York World’s Fair, people expected great things from the showmen who won the contract. The legendary Lou Dufour and Joe Rogers were those showmen, and they did not disappoint with a bang-up show based on Ripley’s rival John Hix’s cartoon “Strange As It Seems.” Soon to be famous “Midget Impresario,” Nate Eagle managed the operation which boasted 16 elevated stages. The following opening line-up was advertised in the May 20, 1939 Billboard with an amazing collection of human oddities: Marvello “Fingerless Pianist– Master of the blacks and whites.” James Durant “Anatomical Wonder– Heart in pit of stomach.” Flexible Freddie “Contortionist– Meets himself coming back.” Richard W. Rightmire “Human Slide Rule– Lightning Calculator.” Count Frozo “Man Who Grows– He grows eight inches.” Ellis Phillips “Human Pin Cushion– The Masochistic Man.” George White “Ossified Man– He’s turning to stone.” Ernest Faulkner Jr. & Sr. “54 Fingers and Toes– Like father, like son.” Frances Murphy “Bearded Lady– Chin hirsuteness.” Massid Habib “Fire Worshipper– Eats red hot stuff.” Major O’Satyrdae “Fire Manipulator– Extinguishes flame in mouth.” Sailor Jim White “Strong Man– Bends iron bars, etc.” R.H. Hubbard “Iron eyelids– Pulls autos with ’em.” Hanka Kelter “Long Hair– Seven foot tresses.” Betty Broadbent “Tattooed Venus– Pretty skin engravings.” Chief Amok “Head Hunter– Scalp stuff.” Williams Family “Leopard-Skinned Women– Formerly on Big Show.” Paul McWilliams “Elongated Mouth– Features 4 golf balls in mouth.” Oscar Noggins “Popeye– Boyhood pal of Segar.” John Leather “Eye Manipulator– Keen control of orbs.” Avillino Perez “Eye Popper– They pop out of sockets.” Hagur “Hindu Fakir– Masticates hemp, etc.” Tony Scalp “Sound Imitator– Also sings in 3-register harmony.” Forrest Layman “Armless Wonder– Shaves, types, writes, sews, etc.” Bly “Rice Writer– Famous for Lord’s Prayer on grain.” Among the other famed freak attractions at John Hix’ show were Li Po Siu “The Chinese Wool Man” and Frieda Pushnik, “the Limbless Girl. ****Francis Murphy, the “Bearded Lady” turned out to be a man.