Freaks

Freaks is the title of a movie produced in 1932 and directed by Tod Browning (better known for Dracula starring Bela Lugosi.) It's one of our favorite movies. It was largely reviled when it was first released, and wasn't widely shown again until the late 60's or 70's when it became popular on the midnight movie circuit. I first saw it on a double bill with Eraserhead in 1979.

While everyone here at the compound has more than a passing interest in freaks, and Freaks, our youngest daughter has an especially developed interest in the subject. She's currently reading Freaks: We Who Are Not As Others by Daniel Mannix, a history of freaks and sideshow attractions. She tells me that, while well-written and entertaining, it contains more than a few factual errors. And she should know, she's like my personal freak expert. She's especially familiar with the lives of Joseph Merrick, the "Elephant Man" and Johnny Eck. She recently sent me this link to the Johnny Eck Museum. Johnny Eck also appeared in the movie Freaks, and was quite an amazing fellow. Visit his museum page and do some interesting reading.

Don't mistake the movie Freaks with the movie Eight Legged Freaks. Mistaking it for Bloodsucking Freaks would be even worse. (Bloodsucking Freaks is the only horror/splatter/exploitation movie Miz Bubs ever walked out of. Matter of fact, the sound was so disturbing that she called out to us from the next room and requested we turn the movie off until she fell asleep.) And it goes without saying not to mistake it for the movie She Freak. Now She Freak, there was a disappointing movie. Except for one part where some hillbilly chick says "Ah knowed it. Ah knowed it all along." We had a lot of laughs with that.