In episode 5 we discuss the creepiness of Clowns and why they are so creepy. Arguably there is one generation in particular that had it rough when it comes to depictions of Clowns in entertainment; Millennials. We were pretty much destined to have a clown scar us at some point or another. Anyone born in the early 80’s through the late 90’s, can most likely point to one of these clowns as being somewhat traumatic.
Now of course that’s not to say other generations above or below haven’t seen these, or been affected by them. Don’t worry I can’t stand Generational Gatekeeping, so I am not about to do that. However these are all clowns from films and shows that were in main stream at the time.
Clowns were always top of my fear list, but that doesn’t stop me from loving them and their films or shows! So here is a list of clown films and shows that may dig up some memories for you.
1. The Clown Doll,Poltergeist-1982
There are few memories from when I was very little, this ranks up there as one of the most vivid. I loved watching this film when I was younger, as I’ve stated in the creepy kids article, this film was a gateway into horror for me.
The rest of the film I could watch no problem, but when it can to this scene, I would run out of the room. Closing my eyes didn’t do the trick. Just watch if you need a refresh, it holds up to be honest.
What I love about this film is how each of the fears that eventually come to life are built up so well and separately. Each trope could be its own film to be honest, but the film does not become bogged down by this, it thrives on it.
All we need are shots of the clown just sitting on the chair and knowing the kid is afraid of it; it’s very relatable. Every time you think something may happen, it doesn’t. When that clown eventually pulls him under the bed, it is utterly terrifying. It is without a doubt a pillar to my disdain of clowns.
2. Zeebo The Clown/Ghastly Grinner/ The Crimson Clown, Are You Afraid of The Dark-1990-2000
Kid’s entertainment in the 90’s often pushed the limits, especially when it came to Nickelodeon. Are You Afraid of the Dark? was quite possibly the king of pushing the limits; some of the images from that show are down right terrifying. Sure it’s 90’s cheese looking at it now through an adult lens, but I can’t help but marvel at how effectively creepy it was and still is. When it comes to creepy clowns, they went all in. Zeebo, the Cigar smoking Clown, is etched in the childhood memory part of my brain, and I would bet to say for many other Millennials too. The Ghastly Grinner and The Crimson Clown are in there too. The Crimson Clown is one I forgot about until I started doing research for this article, and well, it unlocked a terrifying core memory
The show introduced a generation to horror, and in such a fun way. I’ll forever have fond memories of watching this on Snick as a child.
Check them out in this video, along with some other terrifying childhood monsters
3. The Mysterious Mr. Friend, Rugrats-1993
Oh I’m not done with Nickelodeon, I’ve got another one up my sleeve (clown pun? Maybe? ). This may dig up some memories. Rugrats has some genuinely bizarre, and sometimes terrifying moments. It really captures what it’s like to be afraid of things as a child. This episode captures that notion quite perfectly.
Enjoy some of his creepy moments in this clip
4. Pennywise, Stephen Kings IT Mini Series-1990
This is it (no pun intended), the crème de la crème. The one that is best known to scar a generation of children. The film you would watch at sleepovers to see who could make it through.
Pennywise was scary enough on paper, but when he was brought to life by Tim Curry, it was down right nightmare fuel. Ask anyone who is creeped out by clowns and they will most likely point to this rendition of IT
The fact that this a TV movie makes it all the more impressive. It’s straight 90’s cheese, and it does drag on at parts, I mean the whole series is like 4 hours long. With its length and cheese, it still holds up as a creepy take on the story, mostly, if not completely, thanks to Tim Curry. Who doesn’t remember the Georgie scene, or Pennywise standing across the river with Balloons? The scenes that always stuck out in my mind, were when he crawls out of the drain in the shower, and when he appears in Beverly’s door step when she is an Adult.
Check out some of Pennywise’s best moment in this video:
These are just some of the instances of creepy clowns, I’m sure there are more, but these are the ones that solidified it for me. I love revisiting them all and watching it through a new lens while reliving a bit of that harmless childhood fear.
Check out Season 2 Episode 5 of our Podcast for real life clown encounters! Leave us a review and subscribe if you like what you hear!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/horror-time/id1587394964?i=1000585653903
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