History Film / Freaks

* OneOfUs

* DisabledCharacterDisabledActor: Notably, "Prince Randian" (who was born without limbs), Simon Metz (born with microcephaly, a smaller skull and brain), Minnie Woolsey (who suffered from Virchow Sekel Syndrome, a combination of skeletal malformation and dwarfism), and Johnny Eck (no body below the waist).

* IncestuousCasting: romantic couple Hans and Frieda were played by siblings Harry and Daisy Earles. Naturally, the love scenes with them are ''really'' downplayed.

* RealLifeRelative: See RealitySubtext, below.
* RealitySubtext: Notice that Frieda and Hans' romantic relationship is very muted. It's because they were played by brother and sister.

* OldShame: Before his death, Angelo Rossitto was asked about the film and this is what he said: "I don't want any publicity. When you look like me, walking down the street's enough publicity."

* {{Expy}}: Not in the movie itself, but in ''Spurs'', Hans is basically this for Tweedledee, the BigBad of Tod Robbins' earlier work, ''Literature/TheUnholyThree''. [[spoiler:Essentially, he's what Tweedledee would have been like had he actually gotten away with his crimes]]. The movie version of Hans is nothing like Tweedledee, however (despite his actor playing the character in the Unholy Three movie adaptations).

* ComicBookAdaptation: A four-issue miniseries came out in 1992, written by ''Comicbook/{{Frank}}'''s Jim Woodring and illustrated by F. Solano Lopez. Per TheDarkAgeOfComicBooksi, it's much more visually graphic.

* AmbiguousEnding: It's unclear whether Cleopatra's ultimate fate was inflicted on her by the circus troupe, or by Mother Nature getting in on the act.

* BittersweetEnding: The fate given to Cleo and Hercules, while well-deserved, most likely landed the freaks in prison or at least out of a job. Hans, feeling guilty over the whole thing (even though he only wanted Cleo exposed for her crime and the poison handed over), has lived as a recluse for years. But then we see Phroso and Venus together, and [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments Frieda gets back together with Hans, comforting him, telling him it wasn't his fault and that she loves him.]]

** In the musical ''Side Show'', which is based on the lives of the same conjoined twins, there's a scene where the girls and their respective love interests are on a Tunnel of Love ride. Violet seems to be able to feel Daisy's reaction to being kissed by Terry (and notes that it's much stronger than her own response to being kissed by her fiancé).

* AndIMustScream: [[spoiler: Behold, the amazing Chicken Lady!]]

* DarkerAndEdgier: The 1992 comic adaptation of the film by ''Comicbook/{{Frank}}'s'' Jim Woodring-- unsurprising given that it's during TheDarkAgeOfComicBooks.

* FateWorseThanDeath: [[spoiler: Cleopatra and Hercules. They don't kill them. Oh, no. That would be far too kind.]]

* InstantSoprano: A now-lost alternate ending has a scene of [[spoiler: Hercules the misogynist singing soprano.]]

* KarmicTransformation:[[spoiler: Cleo, Cleo, Cleo... do NOT piss off the circus freaks...]]

Browning had been a contortionist in a traveling circus in his early years, and much of the film was drawn from his personal experiences. In the film, the physically deformed "freaks" are inherently trusting and honorable people, while the real monsters are two of the "normal" members of the circus who conspire to murder one of the performers to obtain his large inheritance.

!!This film provides examples of:

* {{Expy}}: Not in the movie itself, but in ''Spurs'', Hans is basically this for Tweedledee, the BigBad of Tod Robbins' earlier work, ''TheUnholyThree''. [[spoiler:Essentially, he's what Tweedledee would have been like had he actually gotten away with his crimes]]. The movie version of Hans is nothing like Tweedledee, however (despite his actor playing the character in the Unholy Three movie adaptations).

* TropeNamer: OneOfUs

''{{Freaks}}'' (1932) is a horror film about sideshow performers, directed and produced by Tod Browning and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, with a cast mostly composed of actual carnival performers. The film was based on Tod Robbins' short story "Spurs". Director Browning took the exceptional step of casting real people with deformities as the eponymous sideshow "freaks," rather than using costumes and makeup.

* GroinAttack: A now-lost alternate ending has a scene of [[spoiler: Hercules the misogynist singing soprano.]]

* BeamMeUpScotty: "Gooble, gobble. We accept her. One of us, one of us."

* DisabledCharacterDisabledActor: Notably, "Prince Randian" (who was born without limbs), Simon Metz (born with microcephaly, a smaller skull and brain) and Minnie Woolsey (who suffered from Virchow Sekel Syndrome, a combination of skeletal malformation and dwarfism).

* IncestuousCasting: romantic couple Hans and Frieda were played by siblings Harry and Daisy Earles.

One bit of influence the film has had: The "Gooble gobble, we accept you, one of us" chant with which the freaks welcome Cleo (not that she appreciates it) was worked into the song "[[RefrainFromAssuming Pinhead]]" by Music/TheRamones.[[hottip:*: [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg The same phrase also appears in a]] Music/{{Marillion}} song.]]

One bit of influence the film has had: The "Gooble gobble, we accept you, one of us" chant with which the freaks welcome Cleo (not that she appreciates it) was worked into the song "[[RefrainFromAssuming Pinhead]]" by Music/TheRamones.[[hottip: *: [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg The same phrase also appears in a Music/{{Marillion}} song.]]

One bit of influence the film has had: The "Gooble gobble, we accept you, one of us" chant with which the freaks welcome Cleo (not that she appreciates it) was worked into the song "[[RefrainFromAssuming Pinhead]]" by Music/TheRamones.[[hottip: *: [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg The same phrase also appears in a Music/{{Marillion}} [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg song]].]]

One bit of influence the film has had: The "Gooble gobble, we accept you, one of us" chant with which the freaks welcome Cleo (not that she appreciates it) was worked into the song "[[RefrainFromAssuming Pinhead]]" by Music/TheRamones.[[hottip: *: [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg The same phrase also appears in a]] Music/{{Marillion}} [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg song]].]]