The Hilton sisters found infamy as conjoined twins, and their notoriety is chronicled in the documentary, BOUND BY FLESH. We look at the film, and take a look at the old-Hollywood fascination with vaudeville, “freaks” and oddity with doc director, actress and author, Leslie Zemeckis in this full length uncnesored Media Mayhem.
GUEST BIO:
Leslie Zemeckis is an actress, writer and award-winning documentarian. Acting credits on stage, television and in films include work opposite Michael Madsen, Tom Hanks, Anthony Hopkins and Jim Carrey.
Leslie’s latest film as writer/producer/director is the award-winning documentary Bound by Flesh about Siamese twin superstars Daisy and Violet Hilton. The film played to sold-out audiences in the prestigious Palm Springs International Festival, Santa Barbara International Festival and Chicago Film Festival. Leslie once again chronicles an important part of American entertainment from a bygone era, delving into the world of circus and carnival life in the early part of the 20th Century.
Her book Behind the Burly Q is the definitive oral history of burlesque as told by the original stars themselves. Given unprecedented access to the performers’ diaries, letters, albums, and memorabilia, Leslie’s book gathers their stories and personal photos here for the first time.
ADD’L LINKS:
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http://thelip.tv/
Media Mayhem Full Episodes Playlist:
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Media Mayhem Short Clips Playlist:
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EPISODE BREAKDOWN:
00:01 Welcome to Media Mayhem.
00:40 Introducing Leslie Zemeckis.
01:00 Famous conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton and their chances of survival.
03:40 Bound by Flesh clip: Daisy and Violet Hilton connected from birth.
07:20 Sideshows, vaudeville, circus performance, and societal views of siamese twins.
12:20 Bound by Flesh clip: The twins make tons of money at the height of their fame.
13:50 The twins dealing with sex and romance.
16:30 Myer Myers exploitation and the twins take him to trial.
19:40 Starring in Freaks and other films and wanting to be seen as normal.
25:10 The twins run out of money as vaudeville closes down.
31:50 Zemeckis talks about what drew her to the story of the Hiltons.
35:50 Thanks and goodbye.