Birth of a Legend
On the night of August 27, 1911, the sounds of a thunderstorm were pierced by a woman's screams. A neighbor attending Amelia Eckhardt's childbed had just bundled up a fine, healthy baby boy when she turned back to the mother and saw a shocking sight. There on the bed was half of a second baby. Under the glow of the gas light, it looked like a broken doll, snapped off at the waist. The horrified neighbor woman fainted. Mrs. Krow, the midwife, didn't expect this human fraction to survive, but she dutifully filled out a birth certificate for the tiny, deformed child, who was named after his father: John Eckhardt.

Show Business
At age 12, Johnny was spotted by a third-rate magician who was performing at a neighborhood church. The magician, John McAslan, shortened John's name to Eck and introduced him to the freak show circuit in a shabby pit show. Johnny, hooked on travel and performing, struggled to extricate himself from McAslan, and developed his act into a spectacular single-o so masterfully done as to earn him the title, "King of the Freaks." He became best known for his performance in Tod Browning's 1932 horror classic, Freaks. But even more fascinating was his unbilled role in magician Raja Raboid's vaudeville show, Miracles of 1937. Raboid used John and his twin brother Robert to perform the most amazing version of the sawing-in-half illusion ever.

Johnny Eck Rediscovered
Freaks was a disaster for Tod Browning, but not for Johnny. Although it was panned and banned upon its original release, a revival of the film in the 1960's and 1970's led many a curious fan to track down the legless man who moved with such agility and grace. They found a respected artist, known for his window screen paintings. Disarming and charming, Johnny spent his days on the marble stoop of his house, entertaining visitors with endless stories of his exploits. But urban decay crept into Johnny and Rob's once friendly neighborhood, driving the brothers indoors. A violent burglary and assault in 1988 left the twins suspicious and reclusive. They no longer admitted strangers to the house, and the two of them cloistered themselves until January 5, 1991, when Johnny settled down for a nap after supper, and died in his sleep.

Current Resources
John's surviving relatives, a nephew and his two children, have photos and stories to tell of life with "Uncle June." They have pledged their full cooperation for any Johnny Eck projects I choose to undertake.
Jeff Gordon, who purchased the Eckhardt estate after Robert's death, has an extensive collection of photographs, paintings, letters, clothing, and other Eckhardt possessions including Johnny's miniature race car.
Mike Fitch was a close friend of John and Rob in later life and has an outstanding collection of stories to relate. He owns Eck painted screens, photos, notes from conversations, and recordings of phone calls to John. He also is in touch with the doctor who performed a post-mortem examination on Johnny.
Jeff Krulik has the last footage shot of Johnny, for a documentary on screen painting.
Tom Fielding is one of the Johnny Eck fans that became a friend after tracking him down. He and a friend started to help John write his autobiography, a project that was killed when the 1988 burglary ended Johnny's willingness to associate with the public. Tom still has contacts who were involved in the project. He also has super-8 footage of Johnny visiting his nephew.
Magicians David Charvet and Mike Caveny researched the Miracles of 1937 show, and have photos of rehearsals along with their expert commentary.
Jack Gaylon, a long-time friend of John and Rob, has many stories to tell and owns the miniature train John and Rob used to set up for children at church fairs.
Elaine Eff of the Painted Screen Society of Baltimore has contacts with the screen painters who were Johnny's associates in the Society and can provide background commentary.
James "Shocked and Amazed" Taylor is a prominent historian of the sideshow and freak shows. He can offer commentary as well as contacts with other contemporaries of Johnny's.
Gina Meyers knew Johnny when she was a little girl living in Baltimore. She still has a few pictures and many stories about hanging out with the other children on Johnny's stoop.
Jeanie Tomaini, "The Half Girl," was an Eck contemporary who operated a freak show with her husband, giant Al Tomaini. She can offer insights into carnival life from the professional freak's standpoint. Her daughter, Rustie, also owns Johnny Eck memorabilia.
Laura Schneider has a longstanding association with the retired freaks and carnies in Florida, and has many stories to tell.
Andrew Gore, who met John in his later years, has a collection of John's possessions, and sports a spectacular Johnny Eck tattoo. He sells Johnny Eck t-shirts and dolls.
Warren Raymond, another friend of John and Rob, has a large collection of Eck painted screens.
The movie theatre where Johnny fell asleep during a movie, making local front-page news, is still standing as it was in Johnny's day, and the owner is willing to participate.

Potential Resources
A possible body double, Kenny Easterday, has been identified; Kenny starred in The Kid Brother, and could be approached to recreate the Eck/Raboid sawing as well as other scenes from Johnny's life.
Tod Browning historians might have more and better information on the filming of Freaks. I currently have several leads that have not been adequately explored.
Tarzan historians might have more and better information about Johnny's experiences on the set of Tarzan, The Ape Man. I have one lead who is willing to assist me.
MGM archives might still have additional footage of Johnny from Tarzan and Freaks. Somebody might still own the full body cast of Johnny done in preparation for making his bird costume.
The scout who located Johnny for MGM might have saved the footage he shot of Johnny in Toronto in 1931.
The Baltimore Historical Society should have photographs and information, and perhaps even period footage, showing Baltimore life as Johnny would have experienced it.
The Merle Evans Circus collection has extensive material from the 1930's, which could be used for background. It might also include Eck material.
Somebody somewhere owns Johnny's old sideshow banners. They might be flushed out of the woodwork if they knew they could get money and/or publicity.
The American Legion might have records of events they hired Johnny for.
The people who did Pandemonium still have many Eck photos and taped telephone conversations; it's a matter of finding them.
Police records pertaining to the burglary are still on file in Baltimore, and the policemen who responded to the call might be available to interview.
World's Fair enthusiasts might have information and material about Johnny's appearance in the first Ripley's Believe it or Not Odditorium in Chicago. (The folks at Ripley's have indicated that they are unwilling to cooperate with a documentary at this time)
Film historians who interviewed other stars of Freaks or Tarzan might still have recordings of interviews in which Johnny is mentioned.
Fans of Harry Blackstone, Sr. might have information on his performances with Johnny.