Kobelkoff: "This rare documentary puts us in a troubling situation of voyeurism by having us attend the exhibition of trunk man Nikolaï Kobelkoff, born in Siberia, without limbs. Kobelkoff uses his unique stump with incredible dexterity: he drinks, eats, shoots with a rifle, paints, winds his watch and lifts a dumbbell! In 1932, this extraordinary character was film director Tod Browning's inspiration for the famous film
Freaks." (1900, b&w, silent, 1:23 min)
brief history
posted by vronsky
on Oct 31, 2009 -
11 comments
J. Tithonus Pednaud herein presents for your edification and enlightenment a
curious collection of human marvels. You may call them oddities, freaks or monstrosities—whatever you will—but I call them incredible, persevering, resourceful and marvelous human beings. I chronicle their inspirational stories of triumph over nature, fate and the judgment of man.
[Previously seen here. See also.]
posted by parudox
on Jan 3, 2009 -
9 comments
Tod Browning's 1932 cinematic masterpiece
Freaks tells the story of a close-knit group of circus sideshow workers who are wronged and take revenge. The film's use of
real-life freaks so disturbed audiences that some ran screaming from theaters, distributors refused to handle the film, and it was banned in Britain for over 30 years.
[more inside]
posted by flug
on Jul 8, 2008 -
22 comments
Judd Apatow's Family Values A look inside the comedic mind that brought us "Freaks and Geeks", "Undeclared", and "The 40 Year Old Virgin".
Apatow’s childhood hero was Steve Martin. On a summer trip to L.A., Apatow persuaded his grandparents to drive by Martin’s home until Apatow spied his hero in the driveway. Martin wouldn’t give him an autograph, so Apatow wrote him an angry letter saying it was his patronage of Martin’s projects that allowed him to live the high life. A few weeks later, Martin sent Apatow a copy of his book “Cruel Shoes” with an apology: “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was speaking to the Judd Apatow.”
Also:
Judd and Seth Rogen at play.
posted by ColdChef
on May 27, 2007 -
33 comments
Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Step right up and see the
Sideshow. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we have something here for everyone. See the
freaks of nature, the
mutants, the
human oddities, the
sword swallowers, the
dime museum, a special exhibit of
sideshow banners from the past, and yes, we even have, live before your very eyes, direct from the 21st century, special acts from the
Coney Island Sideshow. And for a small extra charge, a
special section of premier performers including
exhibitions of pugilism, as well as an exhibit of posters from Tod Browning's movie,
Freaks. The circus starts in a little over an hour and a half, so you have plenty of time to see these astounding wonders of the world.
posted by mischief
on Oct 26, 2005 -
22 comments
LA-DEEEES AND GENTLEMEN! STEP RIGHT UP! THE SHOW IS ABOUT TO BEGIN! The Strange and Unusual, the Freaks of Nature, the Shocking and the Bizarre! YOU won't BELiEVE your EYES!
posted by crunchland
on Oct 26, 2005 -
7 comments
Wrestling with Diane Arbus "She set up no lights, just pulled out her Rolleiflex, which was half as big as she was, checked the aperture and the exposure, and tested the flash. Then she asked me to lie on the bed, flat on my back on the shabby counterpane.
I did as I was told. Clutching the camera she climbed on to the bed and straddled me, moving up until she was kneeling with a knee on both sides of my chest. She held the Rolleiflex at waist height with the lens right in my face. She bent her head to look through the viewfinder on top of the camera, and waited".
posted by matteo
on Oct 8, 2005 -
25 comments
For nearly a quarter of a century
Thor the Barbarian waged a lonely crusade against tyrannical bureaucracies and disempowering systems. Undaunted, he faced the monstrous social evils of our day head on, as an unsung organizational change agent... as a professional inside New York's vast mental health network. Real interview
here (about a minute in) - scroll down to the Thor - LIVE link.
posted by dobbs
on Jul 30, 2004 -
4 comments
Famous freaks. There really should be an IFDB. Until then, marvel at these miraculous testaments to God's sense of humor.
posted by condour75
on Nov 1, 2003 -
12 comments
Freak Watcher's Textbook. I am glad I waited to get the textbook before looking at freaks (or freaks eating cats). Now with this professional guide, I can watch like a pro. I assume Sally Struthers will be adding "Freak Watching" to her list of accredited courses.
posted by rev-
on Aug 31, 2001 -
10 comments
