Freaks

[paeng]

I was looking for information on plans to make a movie about Johnny Eck, found several links about him and Freaks, and decided to make a thread about the film and its performers.

This link offers a copy of the film and states that it is in the public domain:

Freaks

Here's a short essay about the film:

http://www.thehumanmarvels.com/2006/...n-picture.html

The same site,

http://www.thehumanmarvels.com/

might offer more details on the other performers of the film.

There's a museum dedicated to Johnny Eck:

http://www.johnnyeckmuseum.com

A tribute:

YouTube - Johnny Eck Tribute

And an essay about him:

http://www.phreeque.com/johnny_eck.html

There's a book about the American sideshow here:

http://www.americansideshow.com/

with Eck featured on the cover.

There's also a website about the actress Olga Baclanova here:

http://www.olgabaclanova.com/

With several links about Freaks here:

http://www.olgabaclanova.com/freaks_show.htm

[trieffiewiles]

Such a great movie, and yet another gem that I fear is in danger of being remade in this age of poorly done tributes.

[Nemonymous]

Thanks for that link.
That's the first time I've noticed that the 'Freaks' film misspells 'Caliban' as 'Calaban' in its opening text.
I watched this film originally in the cinema.

[Spotbowserfido2]

In these days of antiseptic political correctness, Freaks remains a fine example of reality mingled with fiction.

"The clown figure has had so many meanings in different times and cultures. The jolly, well-loved joker familiar to most people is actually but one aspect of this protean creature. Madmen, hunchbacks, amputees, and other abnormals were once considered natural clowns; they were elected to fulfil a comic role which could allow others to see them as ludicrous rather than as terrible reminders of the forces of disorder in the world."

Thomas Ligotti - "The Last Feast of Harlequin"

[paeng]

"'The Golden Age of Video' by Ricardo Autobahn"

YouTube - 'The Golden Age of Video' by Ricardo Autobahn

[qcrisp]

One of my all-time favourite films. I'll have to peruse these links leisurely when I have some time. Many thanks.

[bendk]

I would be very surprised if this movie was ever remade. Even circus freak shows (with genuine freaks) have vanished. I have heard them labeled "the pornography of disability."

Quote Originally Posted by paeng

"'The Golden Age of Video' by Ricardo Autobahn" YouTube - 'The Golden Age of Video' by Ricardo Autobahn

That's a really ####ing good video.

Oops! I mean, fine ham abounds, Mom.

YouTube - Kids In The Hall - Ham of Truth

[paeng]

Related:

Glamour shots of carnival "freaks" of the 1800s were oddly touching

with a link to many photographs by Charles Eisenmann.