Tod Browning beat Howard Stern by some 60 years with the filming and release of "Freaks." But, unlike Stern (and as much as I love and hail the King of All Media), Browning is not one to exploit as he gives a heart to this story of a woman who takes advantage of a dwarf's emotions in the hopes of getting all of his money in the middle of this circus sideshow. He's convinced that she loves him, but everyone else knows better.
Since this movie has been out since 1932, I think that we all know the ending. It's how this film is ported that concerned those who were reviewing it for release- it was banned in Britain for 30 years. In America, it had a late success after the counterculture discovered it and made it their own.
Why do I like this film? Because of the fact that these folks, despite their outward appearances, were children of God, to quote the female guardian of the pinheads. They had the same needs, wants, emotions, fears, hopes and dreams that were no different from anyone else's. And, here's the best part, they took advantage of their weaknesses and made them instead, strengths.
The word "freak" has changed a lot over 75 years. We now know and accept those who are born with deformities because we are now taught not to judge by appearances, but by what's inside. We have risen above discrimination, thanks to social acceptance, the Americans with Disabilities Act, etc. When I refer to "freaks," I'm not talking about those who were born with no arms, no legs, giantism, as conjoined twins, or dwarves. You see, the real freaks are those who make it a point to exploit those not fortunate to be born with all the parts- physically and emotionally. Brilliant case in point- the ones who try to exploit the dwarf in the sideshow as they find out that he's rich.
For the movie, if you haven't seen it lately, please do. The DVD is well stocked, for a film of it's time, with a nice documentary on the participants in the film, two alternate scenes used for the re-release of the movie in the 1950s, which didn't bode well for tying up the loose ends, audio commentary from David Skal, who's written a biography on Browning, and a restored (I think, as the quality is quite good) prologue of the film, which explains the film you are about to see.
"Freaks," on DVD, MSRP $19.97, US. With Wallace Ford, Leila Hyams, Olga Baclanova, Rosco Ates. MGM, 1932, directed by Tod Browning, B/W, 1 hr. 4 minutes.