Signs of the Times: Circus Liquor

When did it become cool to be afraid of clowns?  Doesn't it seem like EVERYONE these days says that they are "deathly afraid" of clowns? All a clown wants to do is make you laugh.  They are solely motivated by bringing what may only be a fleeting moment of merriment into the dull and otherwise dreary lives of the masses.  I guess the obvious answer as to when they became the archetypal object of fear is when that miniseries "It" was released.  I was one of the few brilliant people who refused to watch that movie (I'm already cursed with a panic-stricken, overactive imagination, and the last thing I need is demon, flesh-eating clowns populating my nightmares).  Thusly,  clowns don't scare me a bit.  In fact, there is nothing more that I love than a 32-foot, neon, clown and one of the only places to find a 32-foot, neon clown, of which I am aware (if there is another please let me know), is at Circus Liquor in North Hollywood!

The world-famous Circus Liquor clown on the corner of Burbank Blvd. and Vineland Ave. in North Hollywood, CA

You see, that drum beating clown with the exed-out eyes, devilish eyebrows, and sinister smile isn't scary at all.  Isn't it worth facing your fears to qualify for "discount cigarettes?"

Of course, we were there at the most opportune time to get a sun-drenched view of the Circus Liquor clown, but night time is when he really comes alive.  I don't mean that figuratively; I'm pretty sure that he actually does come alive to terrorize the unsuspecting, clown-fearing residents of the San Fernando Valley!!!

Circus Liquor by night
(source)

Come to think of it, the nightmare sequence from Pee Wee's Big Adventure predates "It" by a solid five years. Y'all should have been scared of clowns for a lot longer than you have been!

 

Pee Wee's Big Adventure (1985).

Circus Liquor
5600 Vineland Ave.
North Hollywood, CA
(818)769-1500

circusliquor.com


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Sew What?! The Most Beautiful Woman in Puppetland!

The Pee Wee Herman Show (1981)

Very rarely is my inspiration formed exclusively out of whole cloth.  Even when I create something that I think is unique and original, it usually has its foundations in something or someone from which I have derived great pleasure and amusement.  Subconsciously, Miss Yvonne from Pee Wee's Playhouse has become more than an inspiration, she has become a muse!  I hadn't considered this reality until I saw a picture of the dress I made Mary for Christmas...

What do you think?  Miss Yvonne 2011, no?
(Photo courtesy of The Rockabilly Socialite)

The one and only Miss Yvonne
(Source)

The exaggerated, late 50's/early 60's cupcake styling, the
"on the nose" Christmas motif, the gleam of crazy in the eyes -
 individually, these traits could be traced to any
 source but together, they all spell Miss Yvonne!
The dress is made from a vintage, polished cotton and a vintage tablecloth with red sequins.
(Usually, I refuse to cut up vintage wares but this cloth was beyond repair or use as such).

Lynne Stewart is the actress who portrays Miss Yvonne.  As funny and talented as I think she is, it is not Lynne Stewart who has permeated the recesses of my creative subconscious, it is Miss Yvonne.

Pee Wee's Big Adventure (1985)

I even like her as a nun, but where is the hair?

Where is the crinoline?

Many times in the history of this blog I have made mention of Pee Wee Herman and his supreme influence over my childhood; it is from him that I learned the fundamentals of wacky tacky.  It is from Miss Yvonne, however, that I learned about beauty.  After all, she is "The most beautiful woman in Puppetland!"

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny