Halloween's spectacular spooky chick

Okay, they aren't spooky; they're adorable. And, they're technically not one chick. But still, I think it's appropriate to write about Daisy and Violet Hilton on the most wonderful day of the year.



The original Hilton sisters are a lot more interesting then their modern counterparts. Born to a young, unwed mother, the Siamese twins were seen by her as a punishment from God. She left them in the care of a pub owner who immediately set out to exploit their freak quality.

By the time they hit their teens, Daisy and Violet were the most popular entertainers in America, maybe in the world. They could sing, dance, play musical instruments, and their intelligence, grace, and vivacity enthralled millions.

The down side to all this is the sisters really just wanted to lead normal lives, get married, and raise families. Violet even tried to get married; she and her paramour fled through most of the 50 states trying to find a judge to wed them before their love disintegrated from the strain.

Today, with political incorrectness, you'd think the public's infatuation with Siamese twins and freakshows would be a thing of the past. But, it's not.

Dean Jensen just published The Lives and Loves of Daisy and Violet Hilton, and a musical was made from their story. The public cares enough about the sisters enough to add video clips of them to YouTube.



And, Siamese twins were even included in a stage show for Howl O Scream this year, Freaks.



I'd say the legacy of the Hilton sisters lives on; if only it wasn't at the expense of their happiness.