Episode 223 - Freaks (1923)

Few films have divided audiences quite like Freaks (1932).

Released by MGM during Hollywood's Golden Age, Tod Browning's masterpiece shocked audiences with its cast of real sideshow performers, sparked walkouts at preview screenings, was heavily censored and almost destroyed Browning's career.

Yet nearly a century later, Freaks is recognised as one of the most influential horror films ever made.

In this episode of 100 Things We Learned From Film, we uncover the incredible true story behind the making of Freaks. We explore the lives of the remarkable performers, including Harry Earles, Johnny Eck, Schlitzie, Prince Randian and the Hilton Sisters, reveal what was lost from the original 90-minute cut, and discuss whether the film was an act of exploitation or a surprisingly compassionate portrait of people who had long been treated as outsiders.

We'll also look at MGM's uneasy relationship with the production, the infamous preview screenings, the legendary rain-soaked finale, and the lasting influence Freaks has had on horror cinema, from The Elephant Man to American Horror Story: Freak Show.

If you've only ever heard about Freaks, prepare to discover why it's one of the most important and controversial films in cinema history.

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