Schlitze (or Schlitzie) first came to my attention while still a youngster. In school one afternoon, they presented a series of 16mm documentary shorts about the circus. These must have been made in the 1940’s and one in particular stood out. It also featured a few memorable glimpses of the sideshow. And lo and behold this was my introduction to Schlitzie. I must have been eleven years old. It was quite a few years later that I saw Tod Browning’s “Freaks” in which Schlitzie shined supreme.

For many years after I had been fascinated by this colourful and unusual little man. And when making our documentary movie, “Freaks Uncensored” it was an enjoyable challenge to conduct some research into a history for Schlitzie. After the film was completed and realizing the extent of interest in Schlitzie, my own fascination grew larger. Subsequently we uncovered more documentation and even located surviving circus employees who recalled him.

WILL THE REAL SCHLITZIE PLEASE STAND UP

Being mentally challenged (Microcephaly) and put into show-biz at an early age, Schlitzie is not the easiest person to research. Although information exists, still Schlitzie’s identity remains elusive, an enigma, a mystery. Because of his particular circumstances it is understandable that much confusion still abounds as to who this individual really was. There are many contradictory stories. Schlitzie’s birthplace has been given as Santa Fe, New York and Mexico among other places. Some say he had a sister (Athelia), others refute this. There are claims that over the years, several other pinheads both before and after were also being billed as “Schlitzie” (but it is noteworthy that the names are not spelled as Schlitze) .Even his date of birth is uncertain.

An amazing document recently came to light courtesy of historian Tom Hernandez (Quasi-Modo website). He has located the official death certificate of Schlitzie. While we differ with Mr. Hernandez on several conclusions, we consider him to be one of the finest and most devoted researchers on the subject of Human Oddities, overall a very difficult topic to research.

The certificate is most valuable in ascertaining the circumstances of Schlitzie’s final years and death. However, unlike most birth certificates, the biographical data recorded on death certificates are often less then reliable. Given the whims, lack of knowledge and/or politics of relatives and survivors, incorrect information is often provided. Schlitzie’s history as stated on the certificate was likely the result of years of shenanigans combined with a lack of both care and knowledge on the part of guardians to establish or record fact. One might also wonder if there was something not quite legal involving Schlitzie’s background. It should be noted that with his high profile in sideshows (especially after appearing in “Freaks”), it is curious that Schlitzie (as far as we know) never toured outside the American continent. In contrast, numerous other American pinheads were regularly exhibited in England, France and other parts of Europe (Munich’s Oktoberfest and Vienna’s Prater, etc until the dark years of the Third Reich).

In the case of Schlitzie’s death certificate, much of the recorded information seemed likely the result of information jotted down frivolously over the years by Schlitize’s various keepers and guardians just as he himself had been moved around. In the end this erroneous data was probably passed on to the coroner for expediency sake by Mr. Sam Alexander (final guardian) even though as we shall see later, he probably knew otherwise. As far as we can see, some of the given history is blatantly wrong (family name, last employer, ethnicity). The birth year of 1901 and birthplace can also be doubted. Incidentally, for years it was assumed that Schlitzie was born in the 1890’s. The source of the earlier birth date might be traced to an alleged comment made on the set of “Freaks”. According to hearsay, actor Edward Brophy said to Wallace Ford (referring to Schlitzie): “Would you believe that guy is forty years old?”. Yet, for various reasons, the original earlier 1890’s date sounds more convincing. But like much else, one cannot say with certainty.

Unfortunately we are left with conjecture and theory based on a variety of sources and information that is often arbitrary and quite at odds with one another. On a surrealistic plateau, I wonder if perhaps there is some truth in all of them. Perhaps melded together, some truth of a historical Schlitzie will come together.

MY THEORY: POSSIBLE BIOGRAPHY OF SCHLITZIE

During the 1970’s I first began inquiring about Schlitize. Luckily, I was then able to contact still living witnesses to old time sideshow and circus life. In the 70’s one could still make contact with surviving participants who at certain times had direct connections to Schlitzie and the environment surrounding him (more on this later). Inclusive of what I heard then and now moving into the current period, both during and after having completed “Freaks Uncensored”, I now offer my theory as to the possible background of Schlitzie. Later on I will elaborate on sources.

My belief is that Schlitzie was born in Canada (possibly Montreal area) to either Jewish or partly Jewish parentage. The mother was an unmarried and impoverished girl who may have barely been of adult age. Abandoned to an institution where he stayed for a few years, he was illicitly given (or sold) to a showman and taken to New York where he debuted.

As to the existence of a sister, I have never formed a solid opinion one way or another although there is sufficient reason to be skeptical. The so-called sister Athelia had a career separate from his (early on she may have been paired with a pinhead child whose features only superficially resembled those of Schlitzie and we do not think that was him). Even if so, that would not confirm the two were related. Schlitzie’s actual birth names cannot be established as proven fact although I am convinced he was named Simon. At some point in time, the name Metz and also Metzner appeared on some documents. 

“SCHLITZE” vs. “SCHLITZIE”: THE NAME MAY PROVIDE CLUES

Sometimes variations in spelling can be meaningful. With several spellings of his name, “Schlitzie” remains the most popular today. However it is the spelling of “SCHLITZE” (minus second “i”) which appears consistently over time (including in documents pertaining to the movie “Freaks”). The difference in spelling may appear insignificant, but the opposite is true. Given the entirely different pronunciation, the two names are distinctly independent . The more common and Americanized “Schlitzie” (or Slitzy) ends sounding like “ee” (as in bee). While SCHLITZE  ends with the “e” sounding similar to a hyphenated French word (but a more subtle “e” sound then in souflee). In other words, Schlitzie’s name has been mispronounced by most everyone.

Herein may be found clues. My deduction is that the person who named him SCHLITZE could not possibly have been a native English speaker. This particular spelling must have originated with a German speaking individual. Further, aside from the spelling plus pronunciation of SCHLITZE, it is also the German word meaning “slits”. It is doubtful that any American or English speaker would use this spelling of the name.

A final and bizarre footnote. In the German language, “Schlitz” (coming from Schlitze) is a slang vulgarization meaning vagina. Was some sick in-joke being made at Schlitzie’s expense?

A LONG CAREER

Schlitzie had a very long career which included appearances in feature films as well as circus documentary shorts and musical soundies films. It is claimed (Calvin Beck) that Schlitzie was once registered with a theatrical agency in Hollywood which also provided productions with novelty acts.

From some eye-witness accounts, I also had heard that some of Schlitzie’s caretakers had not exactly treated him in the stellar way we all would prefer to believe. In viewing photos of him spanning the years, it is hard not to notice how the once present smiles and giggles gradually evaporated as Schlitzie grew older. In some later photos his expression looks confused or disorientated.

His personality in later years has also been described to me in much more complex terms then what one usually reads. He was said to have had strong mood swings. To being temperamental. Schlitzie would be his jovial loveable self. Then suddenly without provocation, he might turn belligerent.

FIRST ADVENTURE INTO SCHLITZIE TERRITORY

It was around 1975 or so and I was in New York at the time. I wanted to gather as much sideshow material as possible for an as yet undetermined project in the future. Visiting theatrical museum collections, I viewed hundreds of old Freak cabinet card photos, fliers and hand bills. The legendary Hubert’s Museum and Flea Circus was gone, but knowing that its collection probably still existed I contacted the owners in an effort to view it with possible purchase (an interesting story in itself). The collection was warehoused in a spacious but dark and grimy room upstairs in the building where the museum once was. The custodian was a man named Harold Smith. When I learned that Mr. Smith was an old time sideshow and dime museum performer (“The Musical Glasses Man”), I was thrilled and asked to interview him for my still undetermined project. Mentioning my particular interest in Schlitzie, he informed me that he knew some interesting stuff.

Subsequently we visited Harold Smith in his home. This home was but a depressingly claustrophobic one room abode located inside one of  Times Square’s many seedy hotels. The entire room consisted of one worn down bed, a cabinet with drawers and maybe a closet. Nothing else would even fit. So inside this dreary SRO cubicle, Smith proudly confided to me his fond memories if once having dated the famous Bettly Lou Williams, a major sideshow star with her large protruding parasitic twin.

As to Schlitzie, Smith showed me an old  medical oriented reference book from the late 1930’s given him by Sam Alexander (the “Man with Two Faces”). He searched out a small paragraph in the book, pointed and handed it to me mouthing the name Schlitze. What was written stayed with me all these years. I will elaborate later.

Harold. Smith relayed that Schlizie’s background was Jewish and he came from Canada. He suggested I contact Sam Alexander who as his last guardian could tell me more. Mr. Smith also volunteered that he and Alexander both had met the son of the man who originally brought Schlitzie over to the United States. I was given the address and telephone number of Sam Alexander, who as I recall, then lived in Long Beach, California and incidentally was also originally from Canada.

SO I CONTACTED THE MAN WITH TWO FACES

Mr. Alexander, I understood had originally been an actor. A horrible accident blew off much of his facial features. Given to wearing partial rubber prosthetic masks, he eventually created an act out of his tragic circumstance. Subsequently owning his own shows, Mr. Alexander gained an elderly Schlitzie’s release from a hospital and put him back working the sideshow circuit for a while.

Using Harold Smith as reference, I wrote to Mr. Alexander. No reply. So I wrote again. Same thing. Then I called, and called. Only once was the phone answered. It was a woman. She took the message, and half heartedly promised that Sam will return my call. And of course nothing materialized. Obviously being ignored, I asked Harold Smith why Sam Alexander was being so elusive. He told me he’ll try and reach him for me.

HAROLD SMITH TALKS TO SAM ALEXANDER

Having reached the Man with Two Faces,  Smith conveyed that as Schlitzie was dead, Alexander probably preferred being out of the picture. He seemingly also hinted that perhaps Alexander was a little less then forthright in what he told authorities in order to obtain Schlitzie’s release from the hospital. That may or may not be the case, but that is the impression I received at the time. Mr. Smith did confirm that as far as Sam Alexander knew, the biographical info Smith had given me was correct. Sam Alexander advised that if I wanted to learn more about Schlitzie, I should locate a Mrs. (Adele?) Ward who had looked after him and knew him better then anyone. As no contact info was given and besides, my youthful project had no real direction, I dropped the ball. Over thirty years later while filming “Freaks Uncensored”, the name of Mrs. Ward popped up again. In a phone conversation with the late Armless Legless Wonder Frieda Pushnik, she told me that Mrs. Ward was the person who took care of Schlitzie. Wether Mrs. Ward was a nurse or someone more involved, I never found out.

THE BOOK

This was over thirty years ago when Harold. Smith showed me a late 1930’s book which if memory serves my correct dealt to some extent with the history of medical care and hospitals in Canada. Because I was young, inexperienced and with my basic interest in Schlitzie and freaks, I did not think to mark down the title or particulars of the book. That oversight haunts me to this day. As I recall, there were several chapters pertaining to the ups and downs of hospital care and administration problems scanning different periods. One chapter dealt with a basically good hospital that for a time went bad due to mis-management by a corrupt administrator. It must be clear that what I am about to relay, is a paraphrasing of what I recall having read over thirty years ago. While the general story is as I remember it, I may be mistaken on some details.

The administrator was a doctor educated in either Berlin or Vienna (can’t recall). He was corrupt with monies, care etc. Until his dismissal (or retirement), neglect and wrong doing occurred regularly. One small episode:

A young unwed mother and her father brought in a child of under one year of age and who was afflicted with “microcephalic idiocy”. These people were poor. Named Simon, the boy had been cared for by a relative in another town who could no longer do so. Although Jewish, they avoided going to a Jewish home for fear that the girl’s secret might become known. Once institutionalized, the mother never returned to see her son. Simon was a fun loving youngster who one day disappeared. The run of the institution was so shabby, no one noticed him gone until a week later. The episode concludes when years later, a couple of hospital workers went to see the movie “Freaks” and claimed to recognize Simon in the film. An important side note: the staff workers always suspected the doctor of mischief in the case, because he had either a relative or friend in show business. The insinuation was clear.

The above words are my own, paraphrasing the text as best as I recall. Perhaps there are a few errors on my part, but the gist of the tale is something I will never forget. Of course there is no guarantee that this actually refers to Schlitzie. However, until other rock solid information surfaces, I suspect this comes close to the truth. That Schlitzie was of Jewish origins had been conveyed to me several times over the years. One of the last people to have exhibited him also told me this, albeit the rest of his story was different.

In conclusion, Schlitzie’s image and personality are what really count. His face, his gestures and his overall countenance are locked firmly in place for eternity. Still a man of mystery, he is nonetheless one of the greatest icons of a most unique part of show business.