The Human Caterpillar
The Society has been greatly enjoying the prolific output of J. Tithonus Pednaud, teratological historian and author of the Human Marvels web site. Recently, he has called our attention to Prince Randian, an armless and legless sideshow performer known alternately as “The Living Torso,” “The Snake Man,” “The Human Worm,” “The Human Cigarette Factory,” and “The Amazing Caterpillar Man.” Randian spoke Hindi, German, English, and French, and was able to write, paint, shave, and roll a cigarette using only his mouth. He makes a brief appearance in the 1932 film “Freaks,” lighting a cigarette and uttering only one virtually inscrutable line of dialogue: “Can you do anything with your eyebrows?” He died of a heart attack in 1934 at the age of 63.
* More photos of Prince Randian
* The complete “Freaks,” now in the public domain, has been made available on Google Video. Randian’s cameo is excerpted below:
June 30th, 2006 at 2:01 am
A while back, I caught “Freaks” on TCM. I am almost certain that I heard Randian say, “I can do anything with my mouth.” Anybody out there with the DVD? You should be able to use the subtitles / closed captioning to determine what is actually being said.
July 13th, 2006 at 2:21 am
Greetings!
I am a huge fan of The Society and am pleased to see my site mentioned.
‘Can you do anything with your eyebrows’ does seem to be the kine uttered although I have heard other opinions.
Pleased to hear that ‘Freaks’ is now public domain. I will inform my readers and direct them to the Google link provided in this most insightful post.
The climax of ‘Freaks’ featuring Randian writhing in mud, knife in mouth, is not to be missed.
~ J. Tithonus Pednaud
August 13th, 2006 at 1:48 pm
I feel really bad for people when they are made into freak shows, but am absolutely amazed at the things this man can do with only his mouth!
November 21st, 2006 at 3:02 pm
Prince Randian says “I can do anything with my mouth.” in his only line in the movie “Freaks”.
I have really come to love this movie as it shows who the “freaks” really are, and its NOT the ones with the disabilities.
December 23rd, 2006 at 12:43 pm
What was Prince Randion’s birth name? What happened to his children after his death.
January 18th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
There is also footage of Randian rolling this cigarette before he lights it, but it’s on the cutting room floor. If anyone has found this footage, I think we’d all be greatful to see it.
December 16th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
I love the worm man with all of my heart and sole , i want to hold him and tell him he’s a beautiful human being … my life revolves around this sweet man and what he’s brought to our sociaty
god bless worm man….god bless
December 29th, 2007 at 6:25 am
yes, but did he turn into a butterfly?