the list of 9 for october 20, 2006:
NINE FILMS FEATURING SIAMESE TWINS
I realize the politically correct phrase is now "conjoined twins," but in popular parlance,"Siamese" is still the adjective employed to describe twins who are biologically adhered to eachother. In keeping with the vaguely Halloween-ready theme of this month's Lists of 9, I present toyou the following nine films, some funny, some spooky, some touching, all surreal - and allfeaturing Siamese twins.
- FREAKS (Tod Browning, 1932). In this legendary cultclassic, Browning actually cast real-life conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton in his taleof a vindictive group of sideshow entertainers. The Hiltons led a sad if fascinating life, with no relation to the famous hotel family.
- TWIN FALLS, IDAHO (Michael Polish, 1999). Real-lifeidentical twins Mark and Michael Polish made and starred in this fictional film about a lonelypair of conjoined siblings, actually an examination of the Polishes' ultra-close relationship.It's the ultimate Siamese twins movie.
- BASKET CASE (Frank Henenlotter, 1982). Notorious horrorfilm is about... Well, whoever wrote the synopsis on the IMDb put it most succinctly: "A youngman carrying a big basket that contains his deformed Siamese-twin brother seeks vengeance on thedoctors who separated them against their will." 'Nuff said.
- A ZED & TWO NOUGHTS (Peter Greenaway, 1985). From lowbrowto highbrow, all in the space of three short years: Made during Greenaway's most prolific andcreative period, this film - typical of the director's style - is filled with sex, death, decayand word play, with its stars (Eric and Brian Deacon) playing formerly conjoined twins ponderingtheir own mortality after a freak accident kills both of their wives.
- SISTERS (Brian De Palma, 1973). The only film aboutSiamese twins in which one actor plays both characters, this twisted early feature from De Palmastars a pre-Superman Margot Kidder as a good woman with - you guessed it - an Evil Twin.This was made before "Evil Twin" became a Hollywood cliche, and may in fact have contributed to it.
- CITY OF LOST CHILDREN (Marc Caro & Jean-Pierre Jeunet,1995). In this cult favorite - hell, every movie on this list is a "cultfavorite" to some degree - two unrelated actresses play "The Octopus," a mysterious pair ofconjoined twins.
- BIG FISH (Tim Burton, 2003). It's no surprise thatHollywood's token weirdo director would wind up including conjoined characters in one of hisfilms, and twin sisters Ada and Arlene Tai appeared as such in his underrated Big Fish.
- STUCK ON YOU (Peter & Bobby Farrelly, 2003). 2003 was a big year for Siamese twin movies! And here the (non-twin) Farrelly brothers cast Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear as their conjoined protagonists in this comedy dud.
- BROTHERS OF THE HEAD (Keth Fulton & Louis Pepe, 2005). Wewrap up this list with a picture that covers virtually all the bases: It's a rock film. It'sa mockumentary. It's a period piece. And it's about Siamese twin punk musicians!
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