Movie Clowns Plucked From My Memory

14th October 2016

Since they're everywhere now and it's coming up to Hallowe'en this seemed a topical output. You're not here for a well researched piece, you just want your clickbait list recalling creepy costumed jesters you might recognise, with pics. So I'm gonna give it to ya.

These are generally clowns that exist in my media consuming knowledge from being recently animated to classically menacing. Clowns are scary enough in their own right so these aren't exclusively horrors, a genre that has tried to capitalise on the public fear of our circus entertainers. May even include ones not as clearly defined. That's the disclaimer out of the way, on with the show.

Jangles from Inside Out

A very recent and kid-friendly entry to start us off. This was in 2015's Inside Out and featured in a nightmare scene to wake the kid up which was obviously oh so very effective. Clowns and nightmares straight up match, even Pixar show that.

Chuckles from Toy Story 3

Aha. Chuckles. A toy clown who was the key-witness to Lotso's past which resulted in him not smiling anymore. I love a grumpy clown called Chuckles 'cause irony.

The Joker from The Dark Knight

Dresses up in colourful clothes, has a mad laugh and a faceful of white make-up with a red smile. Yup. He's a clown. Whilst the Jack Nicholson version was basically the Clown Prince, Heath Ledger's take is the now iconic version with his lip-licking tics, sarcastic claps and anarchic tendencies. He even wears a clown mask earlier in the film (The Dark Knight) over his clown face but he was the first Joker that felt so unpredictable that he was terrifying.

Pennywise from IT

This iconic dude will feature in every one of these lists. Played by Tim Curry who completely becomes THE creepy clown. The film's pretty long and rubbish but he at least sticks deep in the memories of those who watch.

Clown doll from Poltergeist

Having a clown doll in your bedroom seems like a bit of a mad decision in the first place. Just imagine its synthetic eyes staring at you whilst you sleep. Brrrr. Add on the fact that their house is being haunted by a poltergeist which of course latches on to this readily available creepy object to terrorise the little boy. If I was a supernatural force with malicious aims, I would probably do the same thing so I can't fault it.

Billy the Puppet from Saw

Another sinister clown doll. The puppet on a trike that acts as Jigsaw's proxy. Usually the last thing his victims communicate with as it relays the horrific task they've to complete. Apparently he's named Billy, according to the team behind the films including James Wan. It is unconfirmed whether it is short for William.

Clown with the Tear-Away face from The Nightmare Before Christmas

A film that should genuinely give loads of kids nightmares but I and so many loved it when younger and came out the other side unscathed. Sack-Man himself, Oogie Boogie is probably the most nightmarish, subject to personal opinions but the movie does feature a clown. A clown that has a weird voice and can REMOVE HIS FACE. That's freaky.

James Bond from Octopussy

Let's not forget that time James Bond himself dressed up as a clown. It may have been to disguise himself whilst in a circus but still. Clown.

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This was the latest in my sporadic series of barely relevant posts and I hope you enjoyed reading and freaking out.

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Ethan M Barr
Embarr Himself