Page "Freaks" Paragraph 36

MGM had purchased the rights to Robbins ' short story, Spurs, in the 1920s at Browning's urging.

In June 1932, MGM production supervisor, Irving Thalberg, offered Browning the opportunity to direct Arsène Lupin with John Barrymore.

Browning declined, preferring to develop Freaks, a project he had started as early as 1927.

Screenwriters Willis Goldbeck and Elliott Clawson were assigned to the project at Browning's request.

Leon Gordon, Edgar Allan Woolf, Al Boasberg and an uncredited Charles MacArthur would also contribute to the script.

The script was shaped over five months.

Little of the original story was retained beyond the marriage between a midget and an average-sized woman and their wedding feast.

Myrna Loy was initially slated to star as Cleopatra, with Jean Harlow as Venus.

Ultimately, Thalberg decided not to cast any major stars in the picture.