Original subtitles

...your attention

to the platform to your immediate right, where

Madame Sonia, the foremost hypnotic herpetologist of our

time, will demonstrate her occult control of nature's

deadliest and most loathsome creatures, snake salive!

So you got him here?

Ain't you got no geek or nothing?

Nah, the law won't allow it.

Well, we got something better in there.

Ladies and gentlemen, you are about to behold

a sight so strange, so horrifying, so utterly

monstrous, that I urge those of you who

are easily frightened or upset, who suffer from

nervous disorders, weak hearts or queasy stomachs, who

experience nightmares, and any children under the age

of 16 years, to forgo witnessing this exhibit.

There are only two kinds of freaks, ladies

and gentlemen.

Those created by God and those made by

man.

The creature in this pit is a living,

breathing human being that once was.

But that's another story that happened a long

time ago, a long way from here.

Look, if you must.

Give me my check, Jade.

More coffee?

No, I had enough.

Thanks.

Say, Jade, I was thinking.

Maybe you'd like to go to a movie

or something some night after you get off

work?

Some other time, maybe.

Well, I guess I'd better get going.

I got the right change.

Yes, sir.

Thank you kindly.

You sure don't give those rednecks a time

of day, do you?

Now, don't get me wrong, Jade.

I like that in my gals.

Not messing around with the paying customers.

You know, I had this one pig, Betty

June.

She used to take on every mother's son

to come through the door.

Yeah, you told me about her 25 times.

Well, that old Betty June, you know, I

bet you some weeks she took as much

as I do.

Much as all that, huh?

Now, that's enough to tempt a girl into

a life of sin.

Jade, Lucille went up to Colman to visit

her mother.

Why don't you say you and me, we

go over to Lee County tonight for a

couple of beers, huh?

Gee, Greasy.

That sounds groovy.

But I'm afraid I don't have anything classy

enough to wear for such a grand occasion.

Don't you get so damn snotty.

Who the hell do you think you are,

anyway?

I know who I am.

I'm nobody.

Just like you.

I know something else, too.

Even though I'm never going to be somebody,

I'm wasting my time in this filth pit.

And that goes for anybody who comes in

here.

And that includes the married owner.

You're talking yourself right out of a job,

girl, you know that?

Spare me.

Who else around here would work for you?

Especially for what you pay.

Well, you get to keep all the tips,

don't you?

Oh, big deal.

I'll retire next week on them tips.

Well, what do you want, Jade?

Jade?

Do you know yourself?

No.

But I know what I don't want.

I don't want to wind up like my

mama did.

My daddy used to say that she was

the prettiest girl in West Texas.

She's a tired old woman now.

Forty-two years old, and she's a tired

old woman.

They've been married 25 years, and you know

what she's got to show for it?

Nine kids.

Never has even been to high school.

A hundred and sixty acres of mortgage dust,

a five dollar wedding band, and a hundred

dollar burial policy.

No, sir.

There's got to be something better than that.

I don't know what or where it is.

But when I find it, I'm going to

get it.

Even if I have to lie or beg

or cheat or steal for it, I'm going

to get it.

For Jade Cochran.

You keep talking like that, girl, you're going

to get in trouble.

Where are you going?

Customer cover.

Yes, sir.

Come right away.

Hey, I don't need a reservation, do I?

You want

to see a menu?

Don't eat it, darling.

Just give me a grilled cheese, a cup

of black coffee, and a piece of pie.

Sandwich coming right up.

Thanks, darling.

You come far today?

All the way from Jonesboro.

Here you are, my friend.

Another grilled great one.

Hey, that looks good.

Let's see if that can pass the acid

test.

Not bad.

Are you the boss?

Proprietor, general manager, and chief chef.

Well, look, I'm an advance man for a

carnival show coming in, and it's being sponsored

by your legion.

Would you do me a favor?

Would you mind putting this card up somewhere

in here?

Look, it's for the legion.

Well, I guess that's the least I can

do for a customer.

And for the legion.

Hey, how about that?

I sure appreciate it.

More coffee?

Please, young lady.

I guess you get to see a whole

lot of the country.

We're traveling with the shows, I mean.

Yeah.

That's the one thing you can say about

it.

You get to see the country.

Have you been a showman long?

For as long as I can remember, honey.

Even longer, I think.

Hey, don't forget the dimmings pie.

Excuse me, I'll get your pie.

Oh, thanks.

Is there any jobs for girls around the

show?

Oh, I can't sing or dance or anything

like that.

But if there's work, I'm used to it.

Why?

Husband?

Boyfriend problem?

Family?

Mom and Dad?

It's a rugged life.

What ain't?

Look.

The show will get in late Sunday evening.

Monday, go to the office wagon.

Ask for Al Babcock.

You tell him Ben Thomas sent you.

Ben Thomas.

I don't even know if he...

Everything all right, old boy?

My compliments to the ship.

Would you let me have a tab, please,

honey?

You're all come back sitting, aren't you?

Thanks very much for putting that poster up.

Mr. Thomas?

It is Mr. Babcock.

Al Babcock.

Thanks.

Thanks very much, Mr. Thomas.

Please, don't thank me.

I don't even know if there's anything open

on the show, honey.

I surely don't know why a pretty young

girl like you wants to get with it.

It's your life.

Look, if that's what you want, then be

with it, for it.

I'll see you.

You want to run off and join that

lousy carnival, huh?

Too good to work for me, huh?

What the hell are you going to do

on the carnival, Jay?

You're going to dance the hoochie-cooch?

Show the farm boys what you got?

Maybe you're going to have your own concession,

huh?

Take on the roustabouts every night?

You get out of here, you carnival tramp.

I don't want you giving my customers no

disease.

You know where you're going, girl?

You're going down.

You're going all the way down.

You're going to hell.

From here, it's all the way up.

Country fried steak and mashed potatoes, today's special.

Where else can a poor working girl get

a hot lunch?

On this show, they've got you by the

hunger pangs.

When did you come on?

How long have you been with it?

This time out, eh?

When did you join our happy carefree gypsy

caravan?

Yesterday.

Well, honey, I don't know what you did

before, but you've got the roughest go there

is around one of these things.

This is no worse than the last place,

and the customers are a lot nicer.

I'm Pat Mullins.

My friends call me Moon.

You call me Moon.

Moon Mullins.

Wasn't he in the funny paper?

Ain't it awful?

You got a moniker?

Me Moon, you?

Jade Cochran.

You know, I guess I'll never well understand

all this crazy talk.

Honey, in two weeks, you'll be cracking carny

with the best of them.

I'm in the show, Moon.

My girl, I'll have you know, you are

now serving the feature attraction of the fabulous

Broadway Hollywood Revue.

Direct to you from the Lido Beach Club

in Sarasota, Florida, the inevitable Miss Ginger Hale,

the little lady who puts it on, takes

it off, rolls it out and wraps it

up, throws it right at you.

You mean you strip in front of a

bunch of guys?

As much as the law allows.

Well, I guess whether it's in front of

one or 100, it's all the same.

Hey, how about some service over here?

A big shot ride for him, and God's

gift to women.

Excuse me.

I didn't see you waiting.

Sorry.

Forgive me for interrupting the meeting of the

Ladies Aid Society, but I only got 30

minutes to grab a meal.

I said I was sorry.

How's the special today?

Hey, it's good.

You like that?

Okay.

You want anything else, Moon?

Couldn't take it.

Can't take that Ruffy either.

The fast wheel man?

He doesn't seem like such a bad guy

once you get to know him.

What's his name?

Blackie Fleming, and if you want some advice,

don't get to know him.

Showtime.

Gotta cut.

Say, Jade, where are you staying?

I make a motel every spot.

If you want to split the privilege, you're

more than welcome.

It sure beats sleeping in the back of

a truck.

Thanks.

Sounds swell.

Meet me at the girl's show.

See ya.

Well, Max, you finally got her waitresses with

it.

Best bride I've had in three seasons.

I hope she stays.

Treat her right and she will stay.

I treat them all right.

You must treat the Board of Health right.

Kid, you're really with it.

Take an hour break.

We feed again at five.

Thanks, Max.

...switches on.

I like this torch and various parts of

her anatomy.

First, the fingertips.

One of the most...

And this chair takes through the same electricity

that I sometimes get back at old times,

too.

In fact, the entire front of the midway.

As a privilege to you, I'm going to

light a gasoline-filled torch.

Shining electricity.

...switches on.

I like this torch and various parts of

her anatomy.

First, the fingertips.

One of the most...

Honey, what's the matter?

You look shook.

I just saw them.

Who, the crowd?

The freaks?

So?

They're so horrible.

Honey, God made them the way they are.

They're better off around here than most places.

Why do they have to be anywhere?

Hey, Moon, you're on.

Just wait here.

I'll be back in a minute.

Bring your

stuff, and I'll meet you back at the

hotel after the show's closed.

Gee, Moon, I sure appreciate you letting me

room with you.

Man, this is nice.

You know, I've never been in a real

motel or hotel room before.

I noticed.

I noticed all along.

Know what, honey?

That there had to be something better than

what I had, or could look forward to.

Rough, huh?

Carnies don't pry into anybody's past.

You're with it, you belong.

Why you're here or what you did before,

that's your business.

Moon.

I ain't prying, but...

But you're wondering about me being a stripper,

right?

Well, sort of.

No big deal.

When the frost is on the pumpkin, I'm

grinding away on the Burley circuit.

Then the good old summertime, I get itchy

feet and go out and carny it up.

I'm a veteran now, three seasons.

Hey, Moon, you ever think about getting married?

I thought about it.

Matter of fact, I did it once.

You what?

Almost a whole year.

A musician.

Young, wild, good-looking, drank everything, smoked everything.

Everything.

I didn't bring back memories, Moon.

No memories, honey.

I've almost forgotten his name.

Moon?

Yeah, honey?

You don't think very much of Blackie Fleming.

Why?

He's a nothing guy.

Oh, he's not bad-looking, and he knows

it.

But what's the percentage of getting involved with

a ride boy?

All you'll get from him is something you

don't want or need.

Well?

Are there any nice fellas around the show?

Not married.

Get honey all ready.

Aw, Moon, don't make fun of me.

I'm not making fun of you, Jade.

I'm with you.

A girl be a fool for you.

She'd seem like to keep her eyes and

ears open.

Well, which one's up, Miss Prosper?

Hey, you are getting with it.

Well, let's take stock.

The concessionaires do pretty good.

They don't look like the marrying kind, though.

Nothing wrong with your perception.

Well, Mr. Babcock, he's loaded.

But been married a hundred years.

The old man on the wagon, he's a

bachelor.

But he's been that way too long to

start retraining him.

Now, the ruffies have anything or ever will.

Pete Murray, my boss, he's a lush.

Steve St. John.

Who?

Steve St. John, he owns the Ten and

One.

The what?

The Ten and One, the freak show.

I ain't met him yet.

Brightest guy in the show.

In his 40s, nice looking.

Owns a home in Tampa.

Wife died four or five years ago.

No children.

Drives a big car.

Gets in trouble when the show's off the

road.

Well, I want to meet this Mr. Steve

St. John.

Yeah, I surely do.

If I find it, I'm going to get

it.

Even if I have to lie or beg

or cheat or steal for it, I'm going

to get it.

For Jane Cochran.

You ought to have seen the way old

Blackie lived in D.C. today.

Listen, I don't take nothing off nobody.

On this rag bag or any other.

Hell, old man Friedman over at United Shows,

he's been after me all season to come

on.

Yeah, be his ride superintendent.

Charge you the whole lot.

And that's 12 rides.

How come you ain't there instead of here?

Don't you think Babcock can run his show

without you?

You know what I said to Babcock the

other day?

Oh, yeah.

Yes, sir, Mr. Babcock.

Pretty boy.

You got 32 teeth.

You want to try for 16?

Sure you're big enough, Fleming?

One of these days, pretty boy, it's going

to be you, me.

Take your best hope, Fleming.

Oh, simmer down, Blackie.

He was only joking.

Hey, don't start nothing, pretty boy.

The fuzz will sneeze all over us.

Hey, you guys have a new broad waiting

table in the grab joint?

Yeah, how about that?

I just might have to stake out that

little country girl for myself.

Oh, she's already been staked out, pretty boy.

So you better go find yourself another location.

Well, now, Mr. Fleming.

We all know you're a real big wheel

around this show.

But if I decide to take a shot

at that little hat-slinging yokel, I ain't

going to bother asking you.

And I just decided...

Everything quiet, Red-Eye?

All quiet, Mr. Babcock.

See that broad?

If I was Babcock, I'd run her off

faster than a joint guy swallows a scratch.

You know why?

She's trouble, that's why.

But she's done.

She only come on this week.

You saw what happened last night to Blackie

and Pretty Boy.

I don't know what she had to do

with that.

She wasn't even there.

Hi.

Hi.

That Steve St. John just came in with

Mr. Babcock.

Excuse me.

I've got to wait on those gentlemen.

Good morning, Mr. Babcock.

Good morning, Mr. St. John.

Good morning, Jade.

You've met Steve St. John?

What can I get you, gentlemen?

Just coffee.

Black.

Same.

Yes, sir.

Where'd you come from, Al?

Oh, just a little country gal, looking for

something better.

Big game hunting?

More cat than mouse.

I didn't know we had company.

Hi, honey.

Come in and meet my friend Jane Moore,

otherwise known as the mysterious Madam Olga.

Olga has the Met Camp.

The Met Camp.

Come, let Madam Olga tell you of the

past.

Your Jane Moore.

Your present and your future.

The palm of your own hand reveals all.

I'm so pleased to meet you.

I've seen your fortune-telling tent on the

Midway.

I was going in myself.

Yeah, Olga makes her fortune telling others theirs.

Now, Moon, you know I'm just a hard

-working widow woman trying to make a small

score in this cold, hard world.

Oh, sure.

Did you have a nice time tonight?

Things are progressing.

Steve St. John?

Olga, we may just be in the presence

of the greatest carny of them all.

One week with an...

Jade, you really are a worker.

I predict a great future for this little

country girl.

Now, Moon, you lay off the predictions and

I'll stop doing the cooch.

Don't listen to these quacks, Jade.

Let an expert advise you.

Give me your mitt.

Your hand.

It won't cost you.

You're with the show.

A very strong headline.

This little girl knows what she wants and

is going to get it.

I never saw anything like that.

What is it, Olga?

What do you see?

Your lifeline.

What do you mean?

It stops, suddenly.

And then it starts all over again.

And it goes on.

Almost forever.

Well, that's not hard to figure.

No man.

No, I'm starting a whole new life.

And I ain't gonna remember the old one.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

What are you gonna be doing later?

I have several invitations.

Okay, I'll see you later.

Come on in, I'll pour us a drink.

In where?

In my joint.

I got it all to myself.

It's warm, dry, and cozy.

Sounds charming.

I don't know.

I don't know.

Who do you think you are?

You're not from any better.

No.

But my size is set a lot higher.

Do you think I'm another Gazzuni?

Do you think I ain't got something going

for me?

Do you think I ain't got some scratch

swallowed?

I don't know, but I do look like

no caddy to me that you were driving.

We're going to take that sucker St. John

and down the line with Maggie Flynn, huh?

Good morning, Mrs. St. John.

Good morning, Mr. St. John.

Here's what he's tickling the brat on the

first mountain.

I knowed it.

I knowed it all along.

You knew what?

That's my secret.

Secret from your husband already, huh?

Oh, wow.

Not in this mad love-making witch I

gotta get out of the lot.

This week's gonna be a red one.

But if you'll get out of the kip,

I'll order a breakfast for two and you

won't have to shuffle and dill out the

plates.

Room service, please.

Oh, sorry.

This is Mr. St. John, room 365.

Five.

Two orange juices and scrambled eggs.

And bacon.

And toast.

Butter.

Coffee.

No hurry.

Two.

Sweet, I'll take three.

Three.

Three?

Up to you, Al.

$20.

Got called.

Your dub and one more.

How's it going?

Fabulous, but I think it'll get better.

You be much longer, honey?

You getting sleepy?

A little.

Well, baby, take the car, drive on back

to the motel and get some sleep.

Al can bring me by when his break

up.

Oh, Al?

Sure, Steve.

You won't be too late, will you?

Oh, no, no.

Another hour or two at the most.

Well, good night, gentlemen.

I hope you all will.

Good night, Jane.

Good night, darling.

I won't be late, I promise.

You got yourself a great little broad day,

Steve.

Gotta get lucky somewhere, this year ain't my

game.

Hey, where you going?

Hey!

I asked you where you're going.

None of your business where I'm going, Blackie.

Why don't you flake off?

You know, if I had a good looking

wife like you, she wouldn't be wandering around

a lot at night by herself.

Of course, you could be looking for something.

Something special.

Something you probably can't get no way.

Well, now, Shorty, what are you doing back

here?

You're supposed to be inside looking out for

my interest.

Miss St. John, I gotta talk to you.

I gotta tell you something.

Good morning, darling.

Good morning to you, Shorty.

Dear.

Hi, sweetheart.

I didn't wake you up last night when

I came in, did I?

I'll talk to you later, Miss St. John.

He doesn't like me.

Oh, Jade, you're imagining things.

Shorty likes everybody.

Give me the creeps.

They all do.

Oh, honey, they're my friends.

They're human beings just like you and me.

They're not like me, they're not.

I'm no freak.

Okay.

Okay, you're no freak.

But just remember, I'll make my living exhibiting

them.

I'd rather you ran the insane asylum.

It's the kindest home many of them ever

had being on the show.

Some come from parents who were cruel or

ashamed of having produced a child unlike others.

Here they have an opportunity to be self

-supporting in a world which has rejected them

simply because physically they're abnormal.

And they're with others just like themselves.

Oh, you just feel sorry for them.

No.

That's one thing they don't want or need.

Pity.

Yeah, had a kid come on once.

No arms, no legs.

So full of self-pity it oozed out

of his ears.

You know what I said to him?

Look, fella, you think you're the only handicapped

person in the world?

Well, stop sitting there feeling sorry for yourself.

I'm a man and you're a man.

And we both got to make a living.

Now get up on that platform and do

your stuff.

He did it.

And he's still with it and for it

and doing okay.

Your stories touched my heart.

I told you, Jade, they're my friends.

That is disgusting.

♪♪ Okay,

Shorty, okay, be with you in a minute.

Excuse me a second now.

Shorty's got something important to tell me.

It won't wait.

Sure, Steve, go ahead.

Okay, short stuff.

It better be important than it is.

Shorty, wait.

♪♪ What

do you want?

The same thing you do, Mrs. St. John.

♪♪ We

grabbed him trying to hitch a ride near

the county line and brought him back last

night.

The prints are all over the knife.

He's already confessed.

It's all wrapped up.

You will have to appear at a trial,

Mrs. St. John.

Mr. Babcock has already given us your route,

so we'll notify you.

Thank you very much for your cooperation and

my deepest sympathies.

Miss Mullins?

Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I'll

arrange for your transportation back to the motel.

Thank you, Sergeant.

Did...

Did Steve have any other relatives that should

be notified?

Look, honey, why don't you take off for

a week?

If you like, I'll go with you.

I'm sure Pete will let me have the

time.

We could go down to Tampa.

Steve has...

You have a house there, you know.

You've never even seen it.

You could rest up, get straightened out, and

do your world of good.

And who's gonna run my show?

Shorty, come around back.

I want to talk to you.

Hey, Jade,

I just heard something.

News sure travels fast around this locked desert.

Look, it's none of my business, but did

you have to run him off?

He's been with Steve for 12 years.

This is the only home he has.

Like you said, it's none of your business.

You know, I'm gonna get in to be

sorry I ever met you.

Look, Coach, I don't need you or anybody

else to tell me how to run my

business.

Why don't you screw on back to the

girly show and shake it for the paying

customers?

I'm glad Steve never knew what a real

Larry Broad you are.

Ladies and

gentlemen, those...

Ladies and gentlemen, those...