The 1985 World Face-Pulling Championship

In 1985 men and women from around the globe gathered in Mocrabeau, France to witness the nightmare fuel produced by human beings who can unhinge their toothless mandibles and swallow their faces. In the end, Herbert Kraft of West Germany was crowned the winner. Watching this clip, however, I’ve come to the conclusion that he stole it. The true winner should have been the unfortunate gentleman who appears at :20-:24 and whose demonic gyrations and twisted visage will haunt my dreams for months.

Posted by Ross Rosenberg on August 20th, 2009
Filed under Events, Horror, Serious Business, Silly-looking types

10 Responses to “The 1985 World Face-Pulling Championship”

  1. Zoetica Says:
    August 20th, 2009 at 11:17 am

    I must draw them. Most of them, anyhow.

  2. Nadya Says:
    August 20th, 2009 at 11:42 am

    @Z – HAHA. As I looked at these, I thought, “this will probably be inspiration for Zoe.” And then I saw your comment!

    I’d seen black and white stills of this before, but never footage. It’s even more amazing in all its mobile fleshy glory!

  3. frightful_elk Says:
    August 20th, 2009 at 1:08 pm

    In England we call this ‘Gurning’ out in the sticks they have regular competitions and the tradition dates back to medieval times.

  4. Mer Says:
    August 20th, 2009 at 5:31 pm

    I totally need to enter a Gurning contest one of these days. There’s not enough creepy tongue action up in thar.

  5. Jerem Morrow Says:
    August 20th, 2009 at 7:34 pm

    THAT WAS MY SHOP TEACHER! Check ‘im for missin’ digits!

    This was one of the things that most stood out in my mind from childhood visits to Ripley’s museums.

  6. Jessica Says:
    August 20th, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    Ross: Thank you for that very special moment.

  7. Mer Says:
    August 20th, 2009 at 9:12 pm

    Hahahaha.

    “And now, a Very Special Moment, with Ross Rosenberg.”

    I’d watch that Public Access Show for a dollar.

  8. Video der Grimassen-Weltmeisterschaft 1985 | Nerdcore Says:
    August 21st, 2009 at 2:53 am

    […] Video der Grimassen-Weltmeisterschaft 1985 (Youtube Direktface, via Coilhouse) […]

  9. Ross Rosenberg Says:
    August 21st, 2009 at 6:38 am

    Mer – It would be a perverse, Dadaist version of an Andy Rooney segment.

  10. Amy Ferguson Says:
    August 21st, 2009 at 10:34 am

    aaah gurning. It originated and takes place in my home county of Cumbria :D

    I feel so much pride right now…

    For those who are interested in that kind of thing Cumbria does have plenty of weird and wonderful local traditions. Such as Uppies and Downies which is basically a football game with no rules. It usually attracts hundreds of participants so can get a bit on the rough side…

    Links:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria/content/articles/2007/02/15/uppies_and_downies_video_feature.shtml

    http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/thousands_turn_out_for_uppies_and_downies_match_in_workington_1_540104?referrerPath=home