Carny (1980)

50% of users liked it
(650 ratings)

In Robert Kaylor's Carny, the world of the carnival is an illusion manipulated by the carnies to fleece the suckers. The marks generally deserve what they get, because of their greed, corruption, or just plain stupidity. It's share and share alike for Frankie (Gary Busey) and Patch (Robbie… More In Robert Kaylor's Carny, the world of the carnival is an illusion manipulated by the carnies to fleece the suckers. The marks generally deserve what they get, because of their greed, corruption, or just plain stupidity. It's share and share alike for Frankie (Gary Busey) and Patch (Robbie Robertson), partners in a dunk-the-bozo act in a carnival travelling through the American South. At one of the small-town stops, Donna (Jodie Foster), an alienated teenager, dumps her obnoxious boyfriend and, with Frankie's encouragement, joins up and moves into their trailer (and Frankie's bed). Feeling displaced, Patch schemes to get Donna out of the carnival. However, the carnival's owner needs Donna to foil a loathsome pair of local officials who demand payoffs. She plays her part perfectly and is accepted by all, although she moves into another trailer. ~ Steve Press, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Robert Kaylor, Sheldon Wilson
Genres: Drama, Horror

In Theaters: Jun 13, 1980 Wide
On DVD: Nov 10, 2009
Studio: United Artists

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The ambiance turns out to be much richer than the narrative.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Carny is a tightly structured, atmospherically rich little movie that works.

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Cast

            Gary Busey as Frankie

            Jodie Foster as Donna

            Robbie Robertson as Patch

            Elisha Cook Jr. as OnYour-Mark

            Meg Foster as Gerta

            Kenneth McMillan as Heavy

            John Lehne as Skeet

            Tina Andrews as Sugaree

            Bert Remsen as Delno

            Alan Braunstein as Willie Mae

            Bill McKinney as Dill

            Craig Wasson as Mickey

            Terry Beaver as Trucker

            Jordan Cael as Flame

            John Cassidy as Harry the Hat

            Robert DoQui
            
            Bob Hannah as Tough #1

            Woodrow Parfrey as W.C. Hannon

            Jerry Rushing as Trucker

            Tim Thomerson as Doubles

            Fred Ward as Jack

            Theodore Wilson as Nails

            William S. Bartman as Hi-Striker

            Randy Patrick as Mark

            Nomi Mitty as Eight Color Girl

            Albert B. Smith
            
            Alan C. Peterson
            
            Dominic Cuzzocrea
            
            Lou Diamond Phillips
            
            Matt Murray
            
            Simone-Elise Girard
            
            Vlasta Vrana
            
            Yvette Harper Pouliotte
            
See full cast

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