The Wall of Death Daredevils

The Wall of Death – Revere Beach, MA, Circa 1929. If the Wall of Death wasn’t already wild enough, they added a lion.

Captured in 1929 at Revere Beach, Massachusetts, this electrifying image showcases the absolute insanity of motordrome stunt shows. A motorcyclist tears around the vertical wall, while below, a sidecar rig hurtles along—passenger hanging on for dear life—with a full-grown lion riding shotgun.

This wasn’t just a thrill ride—it was a high-octane spectacle of speed, danger, and pure showmanship, designed to leave audiences breathless. The daredevils who rode the motordrome weren’t just racers, they were fearless entertainers, constantly upping the ante to keep crowds coming back.

Today, the golden age of the Wall of Death may be long past, but moments like this prove that its legacy still roars in the minds of those who crave the rush of true danger.

With motorcycles getting faster, tougher, and finally not leaking oil like a sieve, racing in the 1910s evolved from dusty dirt tracks to the towering motordromes—massive, circular wooden board tracks built for insane speed and risk. These weren’t just banked turns—they were nearly vertical, 70 to 80 degrees of pure, high-speed madness.

Then, someone figured out a trick. With enough throttle and guts, a rider could defy gravity itself, sticking their bike sideways to the wall at full tilt, riding a sheer 90-degree vertical surface like some petrol-fueled spider.

The crowds went wild. Indian, BSA, and other motorcycle manufacturers saw the goldmine, realizing that spectators couldn’t get enough of watching daredevils flirt with catastrophe just inches below them. The Wall of Death was born, and riders weren’t just in it for the thrill—they were pushing the limits to cement their reputations, their legacies, and their sheer lunacy.

What started in Coney Island soon exploded into a spectacle on steroids. It wasn’t just motorcycles anymore—they threw in race cars, carts, and even lions, all tearing around the walls in a riot of fumes, fury, and fur inside what looked like an oversized wooden whiskey barrel built for lunatics.

From the 1930s to the 1960s, the Wall of Death ruled, with Indian Scouts dominating the track as the bike of choice. But even though the golden era faded, the show never stopped. Hardcore thrill-seekers are still out there today, keeping this roaring, high-revving, adrenaline-fueled circus alive—proving that some things are just too wild to die.

Elias Harris & Tornado Smith – Kings of the Wall, Circa 1945

Flanking Dick Monte, two of the era’s most daring Wall of Death riders—Elias Harris (left) and the legendary Tornado Smith (right)—pose with their stripped-down, battle-worn motorcycles, ready to defy gravity once again.

Dressed in thick leather and sheer confidence, these riders weren’t just stuntmen; they were high-speed daredevils, living life on the edge, racing inches apart on vertical wooden walls with nothing but skill, nerve, and raw machine power keeping them upright.

Captured around 1945, this photo from the late Carrie Tindale collection is a rare glimpse into the golden age of motordrome madness—when men, machines, and momentum ruled the wooden walls.

Wall of Death Rider – Circa 1930s

Defying gravity with nothing but speed, skill, and sheer nerve, this Wall of Death rider clings to his machine, locked in a high-speed orbit inside the towering wooden motordrome. Captured in the 1930s, the image perfectly embodies the raw thrill of an era when daredevils put their lives on the line for the roar of the crowd.

The bike tilts at an impossible angle, the rider gripping the bars with calculated ease—every ounce of control balancing between momentum and catastrophe. Above, spectators lean over the edge, peering down into the swirling blur of man and machine.

Auto Drome of Death” – Stratford-upon-Avon, 1931

The Wall of Death was already a spectacle, but branding it the “Auto Drome of Death” took things to another level. Captured in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1931, this striking image showcases the fearless crew—riders and daredevils who made a living cheating the undertaker, as the sign boldly proclaims.

Marjorie Kemp & Her Lion – The Wildest Ride on the Wall of Death

If tearing around the Wall of Death in a souped-up car wasn’t wild enough, Marjorie Kemp took things up a notch—by bringing a lion along for the ride.

Captured in the golden age of motordrome thrill shows, this jaw-dropping image showcases one of the most extreme stunts ever performed. The sheer insanity of the moment—a fearless driver gripping the wheel while a fully grown lion perches beside her, mid-ride—cemented Kemp as one of the most daring Wall of Death performers in history.

Collins’ Famous Death Riders & Racing Lion

Daredevils were always looking for the next big thrill, and “Fearless” Egbert and Jack O’Malley delivered—racing the Wall of Death with a lion in the car. Part stunt, part spectacle, this act was a guaranteed crowd-puller, blending speed, danger, and sheer insanity.

Collins’ Death Riders pushed the limits, proving that on the Wall of Death, nothing was too wild—not even a lion riding shotgun.

Fearless Egbert & His Wall-Riding Lion – Mitcham Fair

If the Wall of Death wasn’t dangerous enough, “Fearless” Egbert cranked up the insanity by taking his five-year-old lion along for the ride at Mitcham Fair.

Gripping the wheel as his lion casually lounges on the hood, Egbert pulls off one of the most outrageous stunts ever seen in the motordrome. Part death-defying spectacle, part sheer madness, this act was designed to shock, thrill, and leave audiences in awe.

Because when you’re called “Fearless” Egbert, a high-speed, vertical ride isn’t enough—you bring a lion along for the thrill.

Tornado Smith: Tea Time with a Lion and a Lamb

George “Tornado” Smith, the Wall of Death pioneer who brought the act from America to England in 1929, enjoys an afternoon tea break like no other—with his wife, a lion, and a lamb.

Known for his thrilling motordrome shows, Smith’s performances featured acts like “Briton the Wall-Riding Lion” and his daring “Gymkhana Girls” stunt team. But even off the track, he kept things unconventional.

Despite his mild-mannered pose, the skull-and-crossbones badge on his beret hints at the daredevil beneath—because only a true Wall of Death legend could make a tea party this wild look so casual.

Tornado Smith: A Wall of Death Daredevil’s Casual Commute

Never one to do things the ordinary way, Tornado Smith posts a letter while casually balancing on a penny farthing bicycle, his bike sporting a Wall of Death sign for a little extra publicity.

Wearing a learner plate for laughs, Smith turns a simple errand into another stunt—because for a man who spent his life racing vertically at breakneck speeds, even mailing a letter had to have a little danger.

Tornado Smith on a Penny-Farthing – Earls Court, London, 1935

Even off the Wall of Death, Tornado Smith couldn’t resist a spectacle. Seen here pedaling a penny-farthing down Earls Court Road, his oversized learner plate adds a touch of humor to the daredevil’s everyday ride.

Best known for his high-speed, vertical motorcycle stunts, Smith’s presence on the streets of London was as unconventional as his career—because when you make a living defying gravity, even a simple bike ride has to stand out.

Tornado Smith & His Lion – Southend-on-Sea, 1936

For most people, trimming a pet’s nails is a routine task. For Tornado Smith, it meant clipping the claws of a full-grown lion.

Maureen Swift & Tornado Smith – The Wall of Death, 1949

At just 16 years old, Maureen Swift clings tight to Tornado Smith, both locked in a gravity-defying spin around the Wall of Death at Southend Kursaal. No hands, no fear—just sheer momentum holding them against the wooden boards as they skim the edge of thrill-seeking madness.

It was a high-speed stunt doubling as a bold promotion for BSA motorcycles. The crown crowd watches from above, leaning in for a closer look at the kind of fearless showmanship that made the Wall of Death a legend in its own right.

Maureen Swift & Tornado Smith – Wall of Death, 1949

Maureen Swift leans into her bike with effortless confidence, while Tornado Smith, ever the showman, plays up the moment behind her. This wasn’t a lesson—Swift knew exactly what she was doing.

The photo, taken in 1949, was part of a BSA motorcycle promotion, but Swift was a Wall of Death rider in her own right.

Cookie Ayers-Crum – The Wall of Death’s Fearless Showwoman

Balanced effortlessly atop her Indian Scout, Cookie Ayers-Crum makes the impossible look easy. Arms outstretched, cool and composed, she rides the spinning machine like it’s second nature—because for her, it was.

Women in the Wall of Death were headline riders, every bit as skilled and fearless as their male counterparts. Cookie was one of them, taking the motordrome world by storm with her daring performances and undeniable presence. It was about showmanship, control, and pure nerve. And Cookie Ayers-Crum had all three in spades.

Maureen Swift – Wall of Death, 1949

One hand off the handlebars, the other raised in a casual wave, Maureen Swift glides along the vertical boards of the Wall of Death, a silhouette against the sky. The blurred motion of her machine captures the sheer speed, while the spectators lean in, transfixed. Wall of Death riders live by one principle—keep the power on, trust the bike, and never look down.

Scarboro Wall of Death Riders – 1932

Four riders. Three bikes. One motordrome car.

They stand at the base of the Wall of Death, hands on their machines, ready for the next show. No frills, no flash—just riders who know the Wall and how to handle it.

Wall of Death – Powered by Indian Scout

The crew stands ready, lined up on the steps of their traveling motordrome. The banner says it all—“Ride an Indian Scout”—the machine of choice for those who take on the Wall of Death.

No gimmicks. No substitutes. Just riders, their bikes, and the boards.

Wall of Death – No Hands, No Fear

Arms crossed, throttle wide open, the rider holds the line with nothing but speed and balance. The crowd above leans in, watching him skim the edge of gravity.

No tricks. No safety net. Just the Wall, the machine, and the ride.

Racing Car on the Wall Crew – Featuring Speedy Rube Knight & Daredevil Alma

The riders stand outside their motordrome, ready for the next show. The sign promises cars on the Wall, a step beyond the usual motorcycles—faster, heavier, and just as deadly if you get it wrong.

Names like Speedy Rube Knight and Daredevil Alma weren’t just for show. They earned them on the boards, at full throttle, inches from disaster.

Marjorie Kemp & Her Wall-Riding Lion

One hand on the wheel, the other resting on a full-grown lion, Marjorie Kemp takes her machine onto the Wall of Death like it’s just another day at work. No harness, no cage—just speed, control, and a passenger with teeth.

Speedy Joe & His Motoring Lioness

One hand on the wheel, the other steady, Speedy Joe Grant takes his car up the Wall of Death—with a lioness stretched across the hood. No safety measures, no hesitation.

The boards shake, the crowd watches, and the beast rides shotgun.

Elias Harris & Rita

Full speed, full tilt—Elias Harris grips the wheel as Rita, his lioness, perches on the hood. The Wall of Death roars beneath them, the boards rattling with every lap.

Ethel & King

Silver suit, white boots, and a steady stance—Ethel faces King, the lion, inside the Wall of Death. No bars, no barriers. Just the boards, the beast, and pure nerve.

King steps forward, eyes locked. Ethel doesn’t flinch.

Ethel Purtle & King – The Ultimate Wall of Death Act

Ethel Purtle steers with one hand, King sprawled across the hood, unbothered by the speed or the roar of the boards. The Wall of Death has seen its share of daredevils, but this? This was something else.

No harness. No tricks. Just a woman, a lion, and a car defying gravity.

Ethel Purtle Wants to Retire – But Finding a Replacement Isn’t Easy

Ethel Purtle, 46 and still driving the Wall of Death with a lion in the seat beside her, is ready to retire—but there’s just one problem: no one wants the job.

“It’s good money and nice hours,” she says, but the lion scares off all potential applicants. She insists driving skill isn’t even necessary—she can teach that.

She’s been in the act for 23 years, first riding motorcycles before switching to cars with big cats. She quit for a while after her husband crashed showing off, but six years later, she was back—racing lions instead of men.

She works up to 52 shows a weekend, separated from the lion by just a thin canvas strip, and never carries a gun. “I’d be afraid to fire it,” she admits.

In the winters, she raises lion cubs in her basement, hoping to train more performers. But now, she just wants to find someone over 21, alert, and not a showoff to take her place.

Because as she says—“You know how lions are sometimes.”

Earl Purtle Calls It Quits – Selling the Lion Motordrome (1954)

After 40 years in the drome business, Earl Purtle is ready to walk away. His entire Wall of Death operation is up for sale—including:

18 motorcycles
2 auto-riding lions
2 motordrome autos
6,000 feet of neon signage
Spare parts and equipment

He’s willing to sell, lease, or break it up, but one thing is clear—he’s done.

New Jersey State Fair – Wall of Death

Thrills. Spills. Hell on Wheels.

The Wall of Death rides into the New Jersey State Fair with a promise—speed, danger, and pure adrenaline. Riders defy gravity, racing inches from the crowd, engines screaming, while a grinning skull dares them to push harder.

No safety nets. No second chances. Just the wall, the wheels, and the fearless.

If you hesitate, you fall.

Riding the vertical boards isn’t just about speed—it’s about commitment. The moment a rider second-guesses their throttle, loses momentum, or wavers in confidence, gravity takes over. The Wall doesn’t forgive mistakes.

That’s why Wall of Death riders live by one principle—keep the power on, trust the bike, and never look down.

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