Own it:
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With: Aileen Pringle, Conway Tearle, Mitchell Lewis, Robert Ober, Stanton Heck, David Torrence, Gladys Hulette, DeWitt Jennings, Lon Chaney, Norman Kerry, Joan Crawford, Nick De Ruiz, John George, Frank Lanning, Wallace Ford, Leila Hyams, Olga Baclanova, Harry Earles, Henry Victor, Rosco Ates, Daisy and Violet Hilton, Randian, Johnny Eck
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Written by: Tod Browning, Waldemar Young, Joseph Farnham, Willis Goldbeck, Leon Gordon
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Directed by: Tod Browning
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MPAA Rating: NR
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Running Time: 204
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Date: 10/17/2023
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Tod Browning's Sideshow Shockers (1925)
Carnies
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
The Criterion Collection has gifted us with this essential two-disc, three-movie box set of Tod Browning's works. Freaks (1932) is arguably his masterpiece, and it looks superb, even better than the Warner Bros. 2004 DVD. It contains all of the extras from that release, plus David Skal reading Tod Robbins' "Spurs," the original short story upon which the movie was based; a series of portraits; an episode of the "Ticklish Business" podcast discussing the film, and a new 38-page booklet that covers all three films.
The Unknown (1927) is another masterpiece, presented here in a 67-minute cut which I hadn't seen. (The only version I had seen was the 49-minute cut included on Warner Bros.' "The Lon Chaney Collection" DVD set from 2003.) This was a revelation. Bonuses here include a new commentary track by Skal, and a 33-minute featurette in which author Megan Abbot discusses Browning's career.
Perhaps the real reason to celebrate is what appears to be the home video debut of a Browning film that few have seen, The Mystic (1925). It's very much of a piece with its fellows, given its carnival sideshow setting. Madame Zara (Aileen Pringle) is a fake medium in a circus with a very elaborate, impressive setup. It's so good that Zara and her team are approached by American criminal Michael Nash (Conway Tearle) with an offer to come to America to make some real money. There, they stage fake seances (and charge a hefty fee) for wealthy people looking to get in touch with deceased loved ones. Their ultimate target is heiress Doris Merrick (Gladys Hulette) who wishes to speak to her late father. Browning pays special attention to the meticulous tricks and how they operate, and despite some early silent-era soap-opera stuff, it's an interesting film, chock full of Browning's trademark touches.
This set is Highly Recommended.
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