Bound by Flesh

They were as inseparable as any two sisters could be, sharing their passions for singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments. They rose to fame as the highest-paid act in vaudeville during the 30s and 40s, capturing the hearts of America as the biggest celebrities of their time. This remarkable duo was known as Siamese twins and were alternatively called The Brighton United Twins, The San Antonio Twins, or simply Daisy and Violet Hilton.

Their extraordinary journey began in 1908 in Brighton, England, when their mother, overwhelmed by the realization that she had given birth to “freaks,” sold them to her midwife. What ensued was a Dickensian childhood filled with exploitation, as they were put on display in pubs and wax museums, zigzagging across the world through carnivals and fairs. While they earned substantial money for their performances, they never had the chance to enjoy it.

A turning point came when they fought for their freedom from their legal guardians in a sensational trial held in San Antonio. Once liberated, the sisters finally had the opportunity to explore romance. However, Violet faced numerous obstacles in her quest for love, as her attempts to obtain a marriage license were thwarted by laws that deemed her status as a Siamese twin an unmanageable liability. Devastated by the disappearance of her fiancé, she found herself alone. In a strange twist of fate, her manager orchestrated a publicity marriage during the 1936 Texas Centennial, intending to capitalize on their uniqueness for an audience willing to pay for the spectacle.

The sisters made their mark in film, starring in Freaks, which has since been recognized and preserved by the U.S. National Film Registry, and in the 1950s exploitation feature Chained for Life. For the first time, their story unfolds, revealing a rich tapestry of carnival and circus life that shaped early American entertainment, from vaudeville to burlesque, sideshows to Hollywood glamour.

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 12:01