The World's Strangest Married Couple

True love, as J. Tithonus Pednaud of The Human Marvels blog said, knows no bound. Here's the story Al and Jeanie Tomaini, The World's Strangest Married Couple:

He was shy, gentle and sweet inside and out – from the top of his towering head to the bottom of his size 27 shoes. During the Great Lakes Exposition in 1936, one special young lady took a particular interest in the gentle giant with the coy smile.

Her name was Jeanie (Berniece Evelyn Smith) and she was born on August 23rd in 1916 in Blufton, Indiana with twisted arms and without legs. She ‘stood’ just over two feet in height but, in personality, Jeanie was a giant in her own right. Jeanie had been performing in exhibitions since the age of three and was known for her acrobatic dexterity and the nimble way she ran about on her mildly deformed hands. Originally exhibited by her biological mother, Jeanie had been under the abusive care of an adoptive mother since 1931. The pretty but resilient 19 year old endured the psychological abuse with little hope of escape but, when the sincere flames of romance sparked between her and Al Tomaini, she found a gargantuan protector who would forever lift her out of harm’s way.

Read the rest here: Link


In the book, Secrets of the Sideshow, figure 2.19 shows a picture of Al Tomaini. In the background is a banner of Lola. I have that banner. The banner is dated '45 and signed Ross-Hill Studio. I am attempting to determine info about the banner such as whether it was used by a circus or travelling carnival. So I am interested in knowing where Al Tomaini was performing in 1945 at the time the picture was taken. Any ideas?
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On page 51 of the book, Secrets of the Sideshow' there is a photo (figure 2.19) of Al Tomaini standing in front of a banner of "Lola". I have that banner and am attempting to find some info about it. For example did it belong to a circus or travelling carnival. It is dated '45 and signed Ross-Hill Studio. It would be helpful if I could determine for whom Al Tomaini was performing in 1945. Any ideas?
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