Wall of Death
From the collection of
From the collection of
Southend can boast that in the summer of 1929, the UK’s first Wall of Death was unveiled at the Kursaal, one of the world's first amusement parks which now offers a bowling alley, a casino and other amusements. The film includes an interview with George 'Tornado' Smith, the owner and creator of the Wall of Death, who became synonymous with the sideshow at the Kursaal, and even performed with his tame lioness, Briton in a sidecar after she grew too big to ride on the handlebars.