Carny

1980 • 105 minutes

About this movie

Frankie (Gary Busey) and Patch (Robbie Robertson) have a system. Frankie wears clown makeup and sits in the dunk-tank cage, howling insults at midway passersby. Patch is out front collecting dollars from marks eager to make Frankie and his big mouth take a dive. It's a good town-to-town living for the two pals. Then Donna (Jodie Foster) came along. A charismatic star trio energizes this grit-and-glitter slice of carnival life that's as atmospheric as a stroll down midway USA. Indeed, music man Robertson, who co-produced and penned the story on which the screenplay was based, once worked as a carny. He and his collaborators ensure that time spent with the impressive sights and unique personalities of this traveling show will be downright unforgettable.

Ratings and reviews

3 1/2 ⭐ First time I saw this. I was kind of expecting more of a 'Bronco Billy' experience but ended up closer to 'The Funhouse.' Busey's clown make-up kept reminding me of 'The Warriors.' Jodie Foster is really pretty in this. Still very young and very attractive, playing a fresh faced nymphet, whom the entire male & female population of the carnival wants a piece of that action. This is definately slow going viewing, dramatic and sleazy but worth a rental if you're interested

Im a carney.i got 40+ years driving trucks down the road.some of this movie is straight on. But some parts are way wrong.Its all about getting that $$.robbing the suckers that come .the dont do,be a ride jock.the games are where u wanna go.but after the 90$. Stay home its not worth going out.much has changed for the worse.trust me.i know.

Gary Busey fills the clown part just awesome. The movie could've been deeper with the story line but its good as it already is. I dont like like writing spoilers so I'm going to stop it here. I've seen the movie a few times. Definitely worth giving a try