Episode 60: Freaks (1932) & Santa Sangre (1989)

Welcome to episode 60 of The Horror Double Bill, the podcast where each week we pair two movies to create something greater than the sum of their parts.This week we are running away to join the circus—a prospect that seems more and more appealing with every passing day.First up, we have the highly controversial Freaks, from 1932 directed by Tod Browning. This stars Olga Baclanova, Harry Earles, Daisy Earles, Wallace Ford, Leila Hyams and Henry Victor.Then we follow this with the incredibly surreal Santa Sangre, from 1989 directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky. This stars Axel Jodorowsky, Adan Jodorowsky, Blanca Guerra, Thelma Tixou and Guy Stockwell.Along the way, we’ll be discussing the life and career of directors Tod Browning and Alejandro Jodowrosky, the history of the quote unquote freak show, the careers of Harry and Daisy Earles, and much, much more.RecommendationsThe Unholy Three (1925)The Unknown (1927)Dracula (1931)Mark of the Vampire (1935)The Devil Doll (1936)ReferencesDark Carnival: The Secret World of Tod Browning, Hollywood’s Master of the Macabre by David J. Skal and Elias SavadaTod Browning’s Dracula by Gary D. RhodesFreaks: A Film by Tod Browning by Jack HunterAmerican Gothic: Six Decades of Classic Horror Cinema by Jonathan Rigby. Freaks (1932) blu ray (Criterion).Anarchy and Alchemy: The Films of Alejandro Jodorowsky by Ben CobbThe Seven Lives of Alejandro Jodorowsky compiled and curated by Vincent Bernière and Nicolas TellopSanta Sangre (1989) blu-ray special edition (Severin Films)Spaghetti Nightmares: Italian Fantasy-Horrors as Seen Through the Eyes of Their Protagonists Luca Palmerini https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Barnum-Bailey-Revolt-Of-The-Freaks/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jun/09/tod-browning-freaks-bannedhttps://collider.com/freaks-history-tod-browning/https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com/2023/10/08/one-of-us-tod-brownings-freaks-disability-culture-and-the-criterion-for-inclusion/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Baartmanhttps://blackpast.org/global-african-history/baartman-sara-saartjie-1789-1815/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millie_and_Christine_McKoyhttps://medium.com/lessons-from-history/the-dark-world-of-human-curiosities-uncovering-the-history-of-freak-shows-8633a1b95321https://www.britannica.com/art/freak-showhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0423524/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alejandro_Jodorowskyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tod_BrowningInstagram: @thehorrordoublebillemail: [email protected]: @thehorrordoublebillartwork by Justin Parker (IG jpkr_illustration.com)