362 - Dolls

Another piece from 2021, and another piece where the reason for the title eludes me but perhaps I may have been from looking at some of the bizarre dolls photographed by Hans Belmer.

Which reminds me of a story.

When I was in high school in Kansas City, around 1970 or so, just west of where 23rd street crosses I-70, on one of the side streets that ran parallel to the highway, was a house we called the doll house because the entire yard was covered from front porch to fence with dolls, some of them complete, some just heads, and some just arms and legs. It was a bizarre sight, impossible to describe adequately.

As part of my high school photography class I pulled up in front of it, stepped out and snapped a picture and was immediately set upon by kids down the street who started yelling at me and running at me. I beat feet out of there.

I can’t find the picture but I’m pretty sure the negative is still in an old shoebox full of them stashed here in the garage. If I ever find it I’ll put a copy here.

I would sure love to know the story behind that yard full of dolls.