Released in 1932
American
Black and white
64 minute run time
Directed by Tod Browning
Starring: Wallace Ford, Leila Hyams, Olga Baclanova, Roscoe Ates
(watched via Turner Classic Movies)
This movie is sad and strange and surreal. It is creepy not because it stars a cast of actual circus 'freaks' but because of the reactions you see in the 'normal' people interacting with them. I want to believe I live in a world where people who are different are treated as well as people who are average, because I was raised in the time of equality and human rights and open-mindedness and blah blah blah. I know its a pipe dream but its a nice one and I'm running with it. Anyways, so yeah, this movie is bizarre in a way that movies just can't manage in this day and age, mainly because it stars these authentic circus 'freaks' doing their authentic circus freaky things. They also do completely normal average people things, like go on picnics and fall in love and take care of their friends. They may look strange and different, but they aren't the bad guys here. The beautiful people are. They are the ones plotting and planning and doing evil things. Its a brilliant twist; one among many really as this is a brilliant film. It is suspenseful and heartbreaking and horrifying and funny.
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