Hi Richard,
It certainly sounds very interesting, a comic featuring the laughing clown, I just wonder if he is going to be portrayed as the funny laughter inducing attraction that welcomed you in or the more sinister automaton that even today still haunts the kids now grown up that had to endure walking past him.
I just wish I had taken a bit more attention of him while he lived on the Pier, which is where I work. I joined the Pier when it was taken over in 1981, I honestly can't remember if he was already there or not, he appears in the beginning of a youtube clip featuring the Pier in 1985 (http://www.youtube.com/user/clactonpier ... vZVrKQ-9-s)
Looking at some of the old Pier photographs he had certainly disappeared from the front of the Pier around 1992/3. I do recall seeing him stored up in the Jolly Roger building at one point , but not sure for how long and how and when he made the move over to the Pavilion.
I have no information on who made him, so many of these laughing clowns were possible made bespoke by different firms. There used to be a local firm 'Sparks Creative Services' whose name was well known in dark ride theaming, but they also carried out lots of different animatronic projects, even the very early coin operated 'Sooty Band' was one of their creations.
I wish I could be of more help, but please feel free if your on the Pier to ask for me.
Regards
CE