Freaks: Hollywood's Most Notorious Cult Film Turns 90

On July 22, 1934, one of the most notorious crimes in Hollywood history occurred: the death of Tod Browning's film "Freaks." The movie, which featured real-life sideshow performers, was released on this date and met with immediate backlash from audiences and critics alike.

"Freaks" tells the story of a beautiful trapeze artist named Cleopatra, who marries a little person named Hans, solely for his inheritance. When the other "freaks" discover her plot, they rally together to enact revenge on Cleopatra and her strongman lover, Hercules.

The film's climax, known as the "Wedding Feast" scene, shocked viewers with its grotesque imagery. The sideshow performers, including conjoined twins, a bearded lady, and a man with no limbs, chase down Cleopatra in the rain and mud, chanting, "One of us! One of us!" In the end, it's implied that the "freaks" have turned Cleopatra into a grotesque human-chicken hybrid.

Audiences were so appalled by the film that some reportedly ran out of the theater in horror. Critics called it "loathsome" and "repellent," with many stating that it exploited its disabled cast members. MGM, the studio behind the film, pulled it from circulation and banned it in the United Kingdom for over 30 years.

Despite its initial failure, "Freaks" has since become a cult classic, appreciated for its groundbreaking representation of disabled actors and its ahead-of-its-time message about acceptance and unity. Film scholars have praised Browning's sympathetic portrayal of the sideshow performers, giving them agency and depth beyond their physical appearances.

The film's impact can still be felt today, with references in popular culture ranging from "The Simpsons" to "American Horror Story." It has also inspired countless filmmakers, including David Lynch and Alejandro Jodorowsky, who have cited it as a major influence on their work.

In a sad twist of fate, director Tod Browning's career never recovered from the backlash of "Freaks." Despite having directed the iconic "Dracula" with Bela Lugosi just a year prior, Browning was essentially blacklisted in Hollywood and made only a handful of films before retiring in 1939.

While "Freaks" may have initially been a commercial and critical failure, its legacy has endured as a groundbreaking and unforgettable piece of cinema history. Its release on July 22, 1934, marks a significant moment in the evolution of horror and exploitation films, as well as the representation of disabled individuals on screen.


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