Side Show (1931)
A pre-Code Warner Bros. comedy-musical set beneath the big top, where circus life, sibling loyalty, and sharp laughs collide.
Side Show - Movie Information
- Original Title: Side Show
- Release Year: 1931
- Directed by: Roy Del Ruth
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Music
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 6m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 19, 1931 (United States - NR)
- Production Companies: Warner Bros. Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Side Show - Plot
A circus side show performer tries to discourage her younger sister from following in her footsteps.
Side Show - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a taste of the carnival comedy:
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Side Show - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Roy Del Ruth
Main Cast
- Winnie Lightner
- Charles Butterworth
- Guy Kibbee
- Evalyn Knapp
- Donald Cook
- Matthew Betz
- Fred Kelsey
- Tom Ricketts
- Vince Barnett
- Arthur Hoyt
Writers
- Ray Enright
- Arthur Caesar
- William K. Wells
Side Show - FAQs
What is Side Show (1931) about?
Side Show follows Pat, a seasoned circus sideshow performer who tries to steer her younger sister Irene away from the same rough-and-tumble carnival life. Blending comedy and music, the film offers a lively pre-Code glimpse into the world of traveling circus entertainers and the bonds of sisterhood.
Who are the main actors in Side Show?
Side Show stars Winnie Lightner as Pat and Charles Butterworth as Sidney, with supporting performances from Guy Kibbee, Evalyn Knapp, Donald Cook, Matthew Betz, Fred Kelsey, Tom Ricketts, Vince Barnett, and Arthur Hoyt rounding out the ensemble cast.
Who directed Side Show and when was it released?
Side Show was directed by Roy Del Ruth and released on September 19, 1931, in the United States. Del Ruth was a prolific Warner Bros. director of the early sound era, known for his fast-paced comedies and musicals during Hollywood's pre-Code period.
Is Side Show a pre-Code Hollywood film?
Yes, Side Show is a pre-Code Hollywood film, produced and released before the strict enforcement of the Hays Code in 1934. Pre-Code films from Warner Bros. were known for their frank humor, lively characters, and subject matter that would later be restricted under stricter censorship guidelines.
What is the age rating for Side Show?
Side Show is rated NR (Not Rated). As a 1931 pre-Code film, it predates the modern MPA rating system. Viewers should note it contains the broad comedy and frank humor typical of early Warner Bros. sound-era productions aimed at general adult audiences.
Where can you watch Side Show (1931) online?
Side Show (1931) is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. These digital platforms offer convenient access to this classic pre-Code comedy-musical for fans of early Hollywood cinema.
What genre is Side Show (1931)?
Side Show is a Comedy and Music film. It blends the broad, fast-talking humor characteristic of early Warner Bros. sound comedies with musical elements, set against the colorful backdrop of a traveling circus sideshow in early 1930s America.
What are similar movies to Side Show (1931)?
Fans of Side Show may enjoy East Side of Heaven (1939) and Wonderful Town (1958) for their musical-comedy charm, or Strange Magic (2015) for its whimsical musical tone. Stingray Sam (2009) and Bolero (1981) also share a similarly offbeat, genre-blending spirit.
More About Side Show
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