In Search Of The Sons Of Barnum

This morning I paid a visit to the grandson of Nat Spinefeld at his Beverly Hills home. He told me all about the stunts his grandfather pulled.” Publicity was the only air that he breathed.”

Nat planted a real explosive device on set for some publicity stunt for Harold Lloyd. Unfortunately the bomb was imperfectly made and when it exploded Lloyds thumb and forefinger were blown off.

The mists of time do not explain the logic of the original idea. Nate left Hollywood, soon to return when the dust had settled to work for Umberto Barbara covering up the illegitimate conjoined twins he fathered at the height of his silent movie career.