Episode 182 - The Clown Riot of 1855

Episode 182 - The Clown Riot of 1855

Author: The Lunatics Project March 17, 2026 Duration: 30:04
In 1855, a bizarre incident in Toronto escalated into one of the city’s strangest riots. After a fight broke out between clowns from a visiting circus and members of a volunteer firefighting company, tensions quickly spiraled. What began as a confrontation in a brothel turned into a mob attack that ended with the circus being burned to the ground. In this episode of the Lunatics Radio Hour, we explore the Clown Riot of 1855, the culture of volunteer fire companies at the time, and how the chaos exposed corruption within Toronto’s police force. The fallout from the riot helped push the city toward major reforms in policing and public order. Episode 182 examines how an unlikely clash between firefighters and circus performers became a turning point in Toronto’s civic history. Sources  An article by Alex Dunne, on The Uncircurriculum: The Great Toronto Circus Riot https://grandorangelodge.ca/history/ BlogTo article by Alice McCurty: This weird event in 1855 sparked the creation of the Toronto Police force Peter Vronsky – "Rogues, Scoundrels and Screws" (Toronto crime history) Adam Bunch – "The Toronto Book of the Dead" Heritage Toronto article on the circus riot Toronto Public Library archives First hand sources, that we will cite as we go. Thanks to April Brenker for finding those for us. Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep. Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tune into Lunatics Radio Hour: The History of Horror for a deep and often unsettling journey into the shadows of our past. Produced by The Lunatics Project, this series operates on a compelling premise: that the history of horror and the horror of history are inextricably linked. Rather than reviewing movies, each episode digs into documented, real-world events where primal forces like fear, violence, and the struggle for survival left a permanent mark on cultures and individuals. You’ll hear about the dark historical episodes and psychological phenomena that have haunted humanity for centuries, as well as the folklore born from genuine terror. Furthermore, this podcast meticulously traces the line from these factual atrocities and anxieties to the silver screen, analyzing how our most profound real-world fears are processed, shaped, and reflected in the horror films we watch. It’s an exploration for anyone curious about where our darkest stories truly come from and how the echoes of actual events resonate in the genre’s most iconic imagery and narratives. The result is a rich, thought-provoking listen that challenges the boundary between entertainment and the unsettling truths from which it often springs.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Lunatics Radio Hour: The History of Horror
Podcast Episodes
Episode 177 - The History of Third Man Factor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:49
This week Abby and Alan discuss Third Man Factor; real life incidents, theories and it's impact on horror and pop culture. Third Man Theory refers to the phenomena of people surviving extreme situations and claiming it's…
Episode 176 - The Horrifying History of Puppets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:18
This week Abby sits down with Kate Rotunda to discuss the very unnerving history of puppets. Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback…
Episode 175 - The History of Snow Cryptids [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:04
Abby and Alan conclude the four part winter horror series. This week they discuss The Yerti and other snow cryptids. They even talk through some of the most famous instances of ice mummies. Get Lunatics Merch here. Join…
Episode 174 - Campfire Tales #7: Bunny Girl [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:52
This week Abby presents two spooky stories. Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Mos…
Episode 173 - The History of Isolation and Winter Horror [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:50
This week Abby and Alan continue exploring the intersection of winter and horror, this time through the lens of of isolation. Sources: A Medical News Today article by Danielle Dresdon: What to know about cabin fever. JAM…
Episode 172 - The History of Real Life Snow Tragedies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:15
This week Abby and Alan continue our exploration of snow horror by talking through 5 real life snow tragedies. Sources A History.com article by Becky Little: The Dyatlov Pass Incident: Why the Hiker Deaths Remain a Myste…
Episode 171 - The Folklore and Mythology Behind Winter Horror [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:26
This week Abby and Alan present a non-exhaustive look at winter folklore and mythology from around the globe. From Scotland, Norway and Germany to Japan and Native American mythology. This kicks off a multi-part series e…
Episode 170 - The Mega Christmas Horror Frankenstein Episode [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:06:35
This week we take a nostalgic walk down memory lane and piece together some of our past episodes on Christmas and holiday horror. We’ve covered so many different versions of holiday horror over the last few years, and we…
Episode 169 - Feminism and Horror [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:12
Abby sits down with our friend Kate Rotunda to talk about the intersection of feminism and horror. We start out by discussing Frankenhooker (1990) and go from there. CW: Discussion of violence against women and SA. Get L…
Episode 168 - The Dark Roots of Everyday Expressions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:15
Abby and Alan sit down to talk through the dark history of every day expressions and sayings. From mad hatter to taking it with a grain of salt, we get into all of it. Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Disc…