After the digital release last month, the Freaked Collectors’ Edition is now here. I dove into the bonus features, but first a note that the 4K holds up even better on disc. The animated titles form and reform before your very eyes. Daylight scenes are bright and vivid showcasing the detailed makeup, and the freakshow grounds and stage at night are full of deep shadow.
I was most curious about the work print. It is missing several scenes and still runs 85 minutes, but I couldn’t recognize much that wasn’t in the finished film. There is a Wizard of Oz spoof when he says goodbye to all the freaks. More interesting, the temp score will be very recognizable from other favorite films.
The rehearsal cut is the whole movie performed in an empty space like black box theater. Alex Winter is wearing the makeup the whole time, even in scenes before his character transforms. So he must’ve tried it on and wasn’t going to take it off. Randy Quaid is in full costume too, but Keanu Reeves is not so it’s interesting to see him play Dogboy with his recognizable movie star face.
There are lots of substantial interviews too with Winter giving full, vivid recollections. Tom Stern and Tim Burns feel it out more between each other. They got Catherine Hardwicke to discuss the production design. The cinematographer and camera operator remember filming during the L.A. riots. Each character had a different process for their makeup so multiple artists explain them. A cat tail wags into the Paul Leary interview but we never get to see his whole cat.