Human Flies News Today

During the first half of the 20th century Americans were fascinated by Human Flies, who thrilled crowds by free-climbing tall buildings and doing acrobatic tricks across the United States and North America. Four of these daredevils visited Olympia during this period to climb its tallest buildings, the Old State Capitol and Hotel Olympian.

Ten years ago, the BFI's Diamond Jubilee programme had to second guess the late Queen's closely-guarded tastes. What was on the bill?

Walter Robert Booth around 1898 - Credit: The Davenport Collection For seven years,  Victorian magician Walter Robert Booth starred in films for early cinema pioneer Robert Paul in Muswell Hill. Walter Robert Booth in a film by Muswell Hill cinema pioneer Robert Paul - Credit: Supplied Booths act included conjuring tricks, lightning cartooning, sleight-of-hand, mind-reading, illusions and quick change impersonations. Its possible that he met Paul while appearing at the Egyptian Hall in ...