From Freaks to She Freak: Strange Carny Films

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In nearly 50 years, I’ve probably watched over 7,000 movies—and no, I’m not counting. But there’s a fascination that’s been with me just as long: carnivals. While I’ve never been truly “With It” (as the insiders say), I almost was. And even though I never fully stepped into that world, I’ll forever be “For It.”

That love for carnivals and my obsession with movies collided years ago when my friend Stig and I stumbled upon a VHS tape in one of his Gran’s old trailers that had recently been vacated. It was simply labeled FREAKS. We were already fascinated—maybe a little morbidly—with the deformities we’d seen at fairs, so naturally, we had to watch it.

FREAKS is a 1932 classic directed by Tod Browning, the same genius behind Dracula. It’s raw, unsettling and unforgettable. Watching it was like peeking behind the curtain of a world both fascinating and terrifying. The film was banned in many countries for its controversial content, but it painted an authentic picture of carnival life in the early 20th century—gritty, chaotic and utterly captivating.
Not long after, I found a softer antidote to FREAKS: the 1933 version of State Fair, starring Will Rogers. Shot on location at the Iowa State Fair, it was warm and vibrant, capturing the charm of fair life without the darker undertones.

Years later, I came across another film that brought me back to FREAKS: She Freak. At first, I didn’t realize it was essentially a 1967 reimagining of Browning’s masterpiece. Where FREAKS was moody and black-and-white, She Freak was drenched in vivid color, set against the lively backdrop of a 1960s carnival. It borrowed only the climactic ending, where the “human oddities” exact their revenge on the lead antagonist.

The story follows Jade Cochran, a cynical waitress who joins a traveling carnival to escape her dead-end life. She marries the wealthy owner of the freakshow but mistreats her fellow carnies, setting the stage for their brutal revenge. In the end, Jade is transformed into the grotesque “Snake Woman,” a chilling exhibit in the freakshow she once scorned.

Unlike FREAKS, which featured real sideshow performers like Johnny Eck (the Half Man) and the Doll Family, She Freak had to rely on makeup and costumes. By the 1960s, California laws prohibited the commercial exhibition of human deformities, making it nearly impossible to cast real “freaks.” Felix Silla, an experienced actor, was the only true sideshow performer in the cast.

The film was shot on a modest $75,000 budget, with much of the filming taking place on the midways of West Coast Shows, the largest carnival touring the Pacific states at the time. Bobby Cohn, the owner, allowed the crew to film during the 1966 fair season, providing a beautifully framed sideshow complete with freshly painted ticket boxes and a stunning 140-foot double-deck banner line.

Director Byron Mabe and the crew captured some of the magic of the carnival with handheld 35mm cameras, filming thrilling scenes on rides like the Octopus and even documenting the teardown process late into the night. These shots became the opening credits, perfectly conveying the timeless allure of the midway.

She Freak premiered on May 3, 1967, in Minneapolis and St. Paul, before debuting in Los Angeles on Friday the 13th of October that same year. Critics like Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times praised its colorful carnival backdrop and authentic atmosphere, calling it “a surprisingly good little picture.”
For me, FREAKS and She Freak represent two sides of the same coin. One is raw and haunting, the other campy and colorful, but both capture the magic and mystery of carnival life in their own way.

What About You? Do you have a favorite carnival movie or a memory tied to the midway? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Let’s keep the conversation going—your stories and insights mean the world to me. And if this post brought a smile or sparked a memory, your support helps keep these stories alive. Every little bit makes a difference and I’m endlessly grateful for your kindness. 💛


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