The nearest to being alive.

March 12, 2009 10:00 AM

Dare Devil Alma Skinner started riding the Wall of Death at the age of 18, doing the same tricks as the men (including her future husband, Skid Skinner). Hear her reminisce -- she did it "for money reasons." [Real Media grumble.] She died in 2008 at the age of 98.

Previous post on the Wall of Death.

posted by mudpuppie (6 comments total)

That's who I want to be when I grow up.
posted by haikuku at 10:52 AM on March 12

Wow! Those are fabulous photos Who was "Rudy"? They look like identical twins in this photo. Apologies if that's answered in the audio; for some reason, it's not working for me...

At any rate, I agree with haikuky - very inspirational, and she looks like such a happy and relaxed person, somebody you'd love to talk to.
posted by taz at 12:07 PM on March 12

Here's another link with lots of pics of the Wall of Death, including this one (and several others) depicting the trick being done with a goddamn LION in the sidecar.

To repeat for clarity, these women would drive the open top car fast enough to maintain position nearly perpendicular to the ground on the Wall of Death, with a lion sitting practically in their laps.

These links due to my remembering of another VWOD post.
posted by FatherDagon at 12:37 PM on March 12

SOUL SKINNER GONNA DRIVE UP A WALL SIDEWAYS AND COME BACK DOWN ON TOP OF YOU, BABY.

raawwwk.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 12:55 PM on March 12

Jesus Christ it's a lion! Drive up the wall!
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 12:56 PM on March 12

I thought it was gonna be about this.
posted by paddbear at 5:57 PM on March 12