Side Show (1931)
Directed by Roy Del Ruth
Genres - Comedy, Romance, Music |
Sub-Genres - Showbiz Comedy |
Release Date - Sep 19, 1931 (USA - Unknown), Sep 19, 1931 (USA) |
Run Time - 68 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
The delightful Winnie Lightner was afforded her own movie vehicle in Side Show. Lightner stars as Pat, one of several members of a traveling carnival troupe managed by the eternally besotted Colonel Gowdy (Guy Kibbee). A Jill-of-all-trades, Pat does everything from high-diving to hula dancing, with time left over for a romance with meek-and-mild Sidney (Charles Butterworth), a man incapable of uttering an intelligent remark. There are moments of melodrama and pathos -- especially when Pat tries to save her younger sister, Irene (Evelyn Knapp), from a lecherous carny barker -- but comedy predominates throughout, culminating in a slapstick big-top finale. Unseen for many years, Side Show was resuscitated in the early '90s by the Turner Classic Movies cable service.
Characteristics
Themes
Keywords
carnival, love, romance, unrequited