Review of Freaks (1932) by Art S — 29 May 2011

Real sideshow circus performers took roles in this fiction film which treads a fine line between exploitation and destigmatization (if you can call it that). Certainly, the freaks are humanized by virtue of our seeing their behind-the-scenes daily existence (fictionalized though it may be).

However, their revenge on the evil trapeze artist, warranted sure enough, does cast a pall over the chance to reduce stereotypes. An unbelievable look at an era gone by.