This is not a flower, however much it may resemble one
it is an animal... with several characteristics that normally one would expect to see only in plants
And we all know how carnivorous plants that behave like animals...
Such as this insect eating specimen, the sundew plant
the leaves of this remarkable plant are covered with numerous hairs, tipped with sticky glands
leaves bend and curl around the insect caught on the sticky tips, completing it's entanglement
then the glands exude a digestive substance,
enabling the plant actually to absorb material from the insects body
the Venus fly trap
is an extraordinary example of predatory plant
it's leaves fold rapidly when hairs of the inner surface are touched by an intruding insect
Many small digestive glands are scattered on the inner surface of each jaw
the jaws of the leaf are edged with interlocking teeth,
which form a cage when closed, to prevent the insect from escaping
once triggered by the tension in the leaf tissue,
the glands begin to work,
causing the insect to be ingested, and absorbed
the cobra plant is another unique example of natural mutation
small insects are lured into the mouth of the plant by the secretions of nectar glands on the surface of the leaf
the captive continues through a glassy zone
Which serve to complete the entrapment of the lured creature
subsequent digestion occurs from the simultaneous action of bacteria,
living within the plant,
and juices secreted by the inner walls of the leaf
give me some lights, please
you may think you are normal,
but you are all the product of mutations
your ancestors
our ancestors
were freaks!
Who only survived
because they were stronger than the other forms of life around them
we don't know yet,
how these mutations happen,
but we do know that mutations can be... induced
so that instead of endless accidental changes
we may be able to create the mutations of our choice
and change our species...
Or improve it
do the accidental changes you mentioned include fetally deformed babies?
The tragedy of fetally deformed babies should show you...
What can happen when mutations are uncontrolled
but think of the glorious creatures of the future
to be induced
by genetic manipulation
the mysterious essence called nucleic acid
theoretically can be blended to create new strains,
new forms of life,
or to recreate extinct forms of life
within 10 years it is safe to say
we shall be able to recreate
through time frozen amino acid strains
a living dinosaur!
To walk the earth just as it did a million years ago
already,
through cloning,
we will soon be able to take one cell,
from an individual,
and from it produce 100 individuals!
Identical with the cell's donor
just think of having a...
A hundred einsteins!
Or Hitlers
or worse imagine having hundreds of him running around
we are interested in cloning, not in clowning
aright that's all for the day, thank you
"Living dinosaur"? The man ought to be writing science fiction
I think he's sexy
you're mad. Totally flipped out
anyway who's coming to the airport with me tomorrow?
They've asked me to pick up that full bright scholar guy from America
ll can't make it
come afterwards
tea, records, good stuff!
Super! What kind of tea are you talking about?
You drink or whatever you want or whatever
you wanna come?
Well, we'll be there
hey, maybe we can get high on his nucleic acids
and there might be a hundred more like you
bye
see you later, bye
bye bye then
bye bye
You said that you could help me
when will you make me better, professor?
I took my part of the bargain
have you?
Always!
I've got something new for you professor
so that you can prove what a great man you are
Tell you what, I dunno
we gotta buy some brand new... they gotta get some new bags for these things.
Hey if we...
Get away from that!
Burns!
Why won't you keep everyone away from my wagon?!
Now watch that menagerie!
Or I'll put you in an institution where you belong!
Eh... my money, my show, my brains!
What did you say burns?
Nothing!
Ugly bastard!
Now stay away from that wagon!
Lynch: Professor
Professor!
Oh she's a fine specimen, lynch
I've seen her somewhere before...
Go on let's get her to the operating table
Nobody believes such things aren't possible
in her vital cells, lies the mystery of all life
and a solution to that mystery
Here... put this on
She's coming out of it
If only you understood what this means
what she represents
You and I together
We could accomplish... a miracle
How will we recognize him?
Oh I bet on this one
Brian redford, United States army major
forsakes full on military career to pursue biochemistry
scholarship for post-graduate research
with famous biochemist professor nolter
well you certainly seem to be following the career of our friend
with more attention than you pay to your studies
look who's talking, you almost fell asleep in biochem yesterday afternoon
thank you
where'd you get all this stuff anyway?
I've read it in times magazine
and look
you're Brian redford
right
hi, I'm Tony
Tony
and, uh, this is Lauren bates
how are ya Lauren?
Hedi Jensen
hello
how do you do?
Hi hedi
we're your welcoming committee
alright, car's outside
how does it feel to be a celebrity? We even read about you in time
yeah, well, that's yesterday's news
Cigarette?
No thank you
no small vices?
No, nothing small...
Now...
Let's see if we can reverse
the process of fungus putrefaction
with this orange
So you see
how our little experiment has worked
result of an intense
bombardment of rays from this newly developed form of psychotron
and truly remarkable metamorphosis
don't you agree, Mr. redford?
Oh yes, I quite agree
in fact I think the possibilities are fantastic
I assure you there is nothing of fancy in this
the possibilities
inherent in what you have just witnessed
confound and surpass
the most fecund fantasy
my theory of total genetic
is all embracing
all living things are closely related
and, uh, all matter is related
isn't that right?
Yes sir
I believe Einstein demonstrated something of the sort
some time ago
he did indeed advance that theory
it was left to others to demonstrate it
for instance
imagine a new species
composed of the characteristics of plants and animals
use your imagination
plants able to move
in search of better conditions of light, soil, water
animals able to harness the rays of the sun directly
through photosynthesis
absorbing nourishment through exposure to light
A world without hunger
a world left for peace
and tranquility
with time to develop our true human potential
even though outwardly
we might look like plants
alright that's all for today
thank you
What you were saying in class
you really believe that such a new species of plant-animal could come about?
Oh yes I'm convinced of it
lysenko believed that heredity could be changed in one generation
I believe it can be changed in one day
a day?
The secret lies in the DNA
the amino acid which is the foundation of the all life forms
look...
Why don't you come with me to my house, eh?
I uh, I think that you will be interested
Nolter: And all these protests, eh?
Redford: Especially the young people, there seems to be a general breakdown in respect for authority
of course the young people are confused and angry
food famine, population explosion
they're facing extinction
we scientists have an obligation to do something about it
some of us are doing something
not tomorrow
but today!
Surely developing a species of plant-animal can only be in the distant future
that's not so distant as you imagine
It's enormous
can hardly believe it
they're the only ones in the world
it's taken me years to develop them to this size
as yet I haven't been able to get them to reproduce
but it's still a long way from the idea of fusion of plant and animal
I achieved this... 10 years ago
That's incredible
Regrettably
this is necessary
But isn't the feeding of a plant with animal protein
contrary to your concept of it's getting it's nourishment from the atmosphere?
Yes, yes of course and
that has to be the next step
I have spent my life trying to achieve
the synthesis of two life forms, Mr. Redford
the creation of a new
race of man with all the miraculous properties of a plant
create a new race of men, professor?
Uh ha, all in theory of course, it would take place through evolution
and you believe evolution can occur through a series of
discontinuous jumps
oh, yes, yes of course by mutations
also through a... creative process
but we are on the verge of being able to
accelerate the process of self-evolution
how?
By inducing
such mutations
what some people would to refer to as a...
Freak type
he's a freak too, he used to be in a show just like us
had an act of his own
they called him the "ugliest man in the world"
well he's just as ugly inside as what he is outside
how did him and burns even get together?
Seems an unlikely team
some carnival they worked in together
burns had a bit of savings
and put up the money
hmm, I suppose lynch took over?
He's giving the orders now
I reckon him and burns are up to something really nasty
well you helped him chase that girl the other day
you ought to be ashamed of yourself!
I told you, we did it for a laugh
burns said "we'll have some fun, we'll just scare her"
like big Pete would scare us sometimes
just having some fun
but it wasn't any fun watching lynch grab her
I didn't know he was going to be there
really scared me!
I doubt these wild birds is a party to that sort of thing
maybe lynch has got some holding room
what do you suppose lynch did with that girl?
What do you think?
No normal girl would give him the time of day
so he catches one
does what he wants
when he's through she's too dead scared to tell anyone
well he's making it dangerous for the rest of us
he treats us bad enough anyway
well I'm not getting into trouble working for somebody who does things like that
and that new act he brought in, the lizard woman
where did she come from?
I don't know
but then she's not the first, is she?
There were two others about a year ago
in the show for a few weeks
and then suddenly disappeared
burns said their family wanted 'em back
didn't want 'em in a show like this after all
what new one?
I saw her..When they brought her in
she looked really bad
real sickly
he keeps them locked up too, away from the rest of us
he shouldn't lock people up like that
I dunno, you shouldn't treat people the way he does anyway
maybe we ought to have a talk with
burns about it
no use talking to burns
he'll close up, easier this will whatever it is
That's something for Dr. nolter
no, she'd be too young for him
I didn't even know those shows still existed
anyway, it's probably a fake
I don't know, it may be one of these mutations we were talking about
if he had his way, we'd all look like monkeys
stop it, Tony
wonder where Bridget can be?
Yes, you invited her for tea and doesn't even turn up herself
wasn't at any of her classes today either
maybe Dr. nolter's theories have frightened her away?
Huh, I wouldn't put anything could frighten Bridget
no, I couldn't agree more
probably gone off for the weekend with some guy and forgotten all about you
"tea party"
he's a brilliant man
who is?
Dr. nolter
he's a leading scientist in his field today
if we both mean the same Dr. Nolter, I think he's slightly barmy
people are always saying that about someone they don't understand
well, you don't really believe all that stuff about potent genetics
he makes it sound like bad science fiction
what science can, and is doing today was once science fiction
you're supposed to be a scientist yourself Tony
why don't you act like one?
Look, as far as I'm concerned,
to act like a scientist is to try to change for the better,
the lot of mankind and not man himself
I don't know whether nolter is a madman or a genius
or both
but I think that ultimately he is wrong
and he's dangerous
anyway...
I don't want to be turned into a vegetable
there will always be cabbages and kings not several freaks anywhere
guess he's right
actually a friend of mine told me that after being on an acid trip
he said everybodies great big characters babe his face is gone
you're kidding - no
yeah I know a guy who thought he was a
a wild dog!
A sort of animaloid human!
Born out of the unconscious racial genetic memory
Carl jung!
Said, heh, 30 years ago
what your professor Timothy leary called the "wolf image"!
Awwwwwwww!
Not bad for a limey
wooo!
Yay!
Good luck
well?
Right!
Ohe... two...
Wow, haha
who said girls are the weaker sex?
Well I never said it
that's a rub for women's lib
come on
See the never to be forgotten alligator girl!
With scales all over her body!
See the monkey woman!
The missing link that survived from millions of years ago
see her now
right inside folks this way for your tickets
see the fire eater from Borneo!
See the incredible popeye!
The man who actually pops his own eyes right out of his skull!
And the feature attraction of our show
all the way from the roof of the world
from the snow-capped himalayas
the lizard woman of Tibet!
You sure you want to see that stuff?
Oh yes, it'd be fun
well if it's half as good as he makes out, it'll be worth all of Brian's money
now wait a minute...
Welcome to the burns and lynch
famous royal family of strange people
this collection of human oddities and freaks
is the greatest attraction of it's kind in the world
now, without further ado
here is our first unusual curiosity
35 years ago dianne was born a normal girl
at the age of twelve, a strange transformation began to take place
after consultation with several specialists
it was discovered the she was developing the characteristics of both sexes
instead of becoming a normal young woman
she was becoming virtually
a brother and sister in the same body
the bearded lady!
Thank you dianne
This is Mary-Louise
the world renowned monkey woman
covered with long shaggy hair from head to foot
and with three rows of teeth
she is the foremost example of Darwin's missing link
between ape and man
her earliest anthropoid ancestor
the unforgettable Mary-Louise
the monkey woman!
Sounds pretty hairy to me
now another of our lovely assistants, Ms. Kathy kitchen
is bringing in Mr. George, the human pin cushion
32 years old and never known a day's illness
right?
That's right Mr. burns
I always feel fine
what he means is he doesn't feel, full stop
I noticed this ability as a very small child
when my mother
stuck me accidentally with a safety pin
suddenly he got the point
here is...
The frog boy
or the upside down man, depending on which way you look at him
born with no calcium on his lower extremities
he learned to get around like this, upside down
here's how he met his girlfriend
she dropped her handkerchief
and he picked it up
beginning of a new romance
he even won a dance contest, hands down
thank you
Here he goes again, showing off
Now it's time to present ester blackman
known as the alligator skin girl
well I was born in the state of north Carolina, born of normal parents
I have one sister, three brothers born perfectly normal
one brother which has passed away
that was born in the same condition as I am
with a very dry rough skin, covering the whole body
which is known to medical doctors as ichthyosis skin
but known now through the show world as the alligator skin girl
also known as the world's strangest mother
yes I have been married and the mother of seven normal children
now as well of being misfortunately not to have a clearer skin
also not to have hair to grow upon the head
yes ladies and gentleman, a truly remarkable human curiosity!
Just one year ago
Leslie was a voluptuous and beautiful airline hostess
then she went on a crash diet
and she never recovered
today...
She is the worlds only living example of a human skeleton
and now our lovely assistant, Dolly!
Bringing in our next attraction
Mr. Hugh Bailey, the pretzel man
Bailey will speak for himself
thank you
ladies and gentleman, I don't sing or dance
or do flip flops or anything like that
I'm here because of the unusual condition,
in which I was born
now this is the shin bone bent like that
both legs the same
the knees are up here
but they work alright
thank you Mr. Bailey
now ladies and gentleman,
we take great pleasure in presenting,
the extraordinary,
truly incredible,
unduplicatable,
the one and only attraction,
known as:
Popeye!
And it goes something, like this
alright
that I recently invented
back home in Chicago,
sittin' all alone one day in my bedroom, you know,
nothing to do, daydreaming, thinking of you of course
eyeball twists in the last of the final portion ladies and gentleman goes like...
Thank you, popeye!
That concludes the main portion of our show ladies and gentleman,
but now here is that,
extra, added attraction you've all been waiting for
from the refuse heap of evolution,
the principle attraction of our show,
the lizard woman of Tibet!
Due to the high cost of bringing her to you,
and because of the special care and feeding required,
for this delicate creature,
we're forced to impose a small extra charge
ten pence only, for this particular exhibit
and for those of you who have weak stomachs,
our nurse, is again in attendance
should you require any assistance
let's go before they con us on anything else
oh come on Tony, even if it's fake, let's look at it anyway
Just look at them, they must have seen something horrible!
Come on
alright, if you want to be sick, let's go
three and one half please
hey isn't that the same
medallion that Bridget was wearing?
Looks like it
there must be thousands of them
where did you get that medallion? I would like to have one too
I manufacture them myself, lady
Um, sorry all sold out
what do you mean you're all sold out, you got a whole roll of tickets there
I know there are a lot of tickets left sir,
out... there's,
no more room in the house, sorry
balls... come on
You bloody fool
the little crook
I wonder why he wouldn't sell us any tickets
maybe there isn't any real lizard woman
anyway Dr. nolter would find some of those people interesting examples of his theory
medallion still worries me
it's the same as Bridget's!
She's still missing ya know
don't worry, she's probably some place having a ball
What are you doing here?
You must find me another subject
It's not that easy
we have the show to take care of
let burns look after that,
you've got your own work to do
that is if our agreement still stands
does it have to be another female?
No
At this stage of the work, a man would do us well, or
perhaps even better,
but it must be,
strong, healthy, good looking specimen
not like me, eh, professor?
But you'll fix that, won't you?
Oh yes, lynch
yes, yes
what about the girl?
Police might track them here
let her stay in the show
it'll be less dangerous
nobody would recognize her now
It's too bad we missed that phony lizard lady
you mean the monkey lady isn't real either?
Sure, she just doesn't shave for a while
you're impossible, come on
goodnight
goodnight -bye
So now I'm going to dream about freaks tonight
like me for instance?
Of course
His cells
and also my plants
a hew species
at last an...
An influenced mutation
it's going to work this time
it has to
it has to work
and then you'll keep your promise and make it work for me?
Assuming neither human being nor plant
but with the characteristics and advantages of both
a plant that can move and think
a man who can set down roots
yes... that's all we can do for now
we have to wait - for the right breed, how long do I have to wait?
- I've told you when I... - I can't wait!
Maybe there's no way to cure me
and you just said that to keep me working for you
come with me, I have something to show you
this is a new virus, I'm developing
a mutation
I hope it will, eh
reverse the effects of your deformity
yes, take a look
your, eh, glandular disease
Mr. burns...
Come on, next show
Come on Kathy, light the candle
oh uh, here you are
I understand you're...
Mr. lynch!
Aren't you going to have a drink with us to help celebrate Kathy's birthday?
You expect me to sit down with a bunch of freaks?
You won't have to sit, Mr. lynch
you may stand
yes, we don't mind if you celebrate with us, Mr. lynch, do we?
No! He's one of us
yes, let's toast with that
here's to Mr. lynch!
We accept him
he's one of us!
Yes
our brother
shut up!
Our loving father
I'll make you sorry you were ever born!
Make us sorry we were ever born?
So you think that's funny?
Do you?!
And I'll help you celebrate
is that it?!
I'll help you! I'll help you to celebrate!
Everything is ruined, ruined!
Never mind that dear, we'll have another party someday
You give dancing lessons
yeah
come in
So you're looking for some fun this evening?
You know why I'm here
well why don't you take off your hat and coat?
Let's see what you look like underneath that hat of yours
no!
I told you not
oh, don't worry
you can stay
I've seen all kind of things in this game
you're a pretty one there, aren't you?
Look, spend a little extra...
And I'll be extra nice to you
or shall I give it to you straight?
Short and sweet...
2 pounds
I want you to say things to me
oh, I've got a nice selection of obscenities if that's what you want
no, nothing like that
just tell me...
Just say...
Oh come on love, I haven't got all night... what?
Just say...
"I love you"
oh yeah...
That'll be a pound extra
"I love you"
yes I know, but try not to worry
bye now
still no news of Tony,
and Lauren has been calling his flat all day there's no answer!
She even went around there
there's no need to panic
he's only been gone for a day
but they always together and he would have called
she hasn't heard a thing!
It's so strange
and Bridget
it's over a week now since she disappeared
I never met her but I understand she wasn't exactly the disappearing type
right! Something is wrong!
I know it!
Look... I'm sure there's a logical explanation
tell you what
if Tony doesn't turn up by tomorrow
then we'll notify the police
ok?
How did she die?
Just died
like the others
nah, she was breathing strangely and now all of a sudden she...
Anyway we've got to get rid of her
I'll take care of it
Hello?
Hello
who is it?
Tony
have to talk to you
Tony, I've been so worried about you
why didn't you call?
I have to talk to you
see...
As fast as you can
I can't wait to see you
hurry darling!
Yes
professor, the girl died
I dumped her in the river
lynch,
I think I have succeeded
but, he got away and there was a struggle
you've got to find him, lynch
or bring me someone else
Tony?
Yes, let me in
Darling?
Open up, open up!
Police!
I'm at 53 lingley St.
There's a woman here who's been screaming her head off
she's now unconscious and could have been attacked, better get a doctor
I'm going to search the flat, over and out
Is there anything we can do?
Oh no thank you sir if you could just stay outside
sure thing
It was some kind of a shock
this sort of thing takes a very long time to come out of
give her one of these every three hours and call me if there's any change
yes doctor
call back again later
goodbye Mr. redford
well goodbye doctor, thank you
she's just laying there like a zombie, look at her
you look as if you could do with a rest yourself it seems
I'm alright, but if there's any change please call the number I gave you
I will
take me home, Brian
goodnight nurse, see you in the morning
Poor child
whatever she saw was real
she wasn't dreaming
and so terrifying that she closed her mind
retreating from it
oh Brian, it's awful
and she'd been so worried about Tony
that could have something to do with it
maybe something happened to him and she found out about it?
Darling we have to find him, he's the only one who can help
well we can't do anymore tonight
get some rest, I'll come around later
Get back to your wagons
I mean your cages!
What do you want, more money?
Time to go on strike, eh?
He's no right to talk to us like that
he treats us like animals
he's not better than we are
all right, stop all your grumbling
now you've all got good homes here, you know it
we're all family, one big happy family
let's keep it that way!
Look Mr. burns
you're a decent man, you're not like him
lynch is the one we're after ticking off
he's a cruel man he is
we've been treated poorly by the outside world
we thought we'd have some kind of home here
but we're still hated and we're still afraid
just remember, he's on our side really
it's just us against all the rest of the world
let's not fight among ourselves
then why do you hate him so much?
I'm finished with it, finished with the whole business!
Not too loud
I don't care who hears!
You're in this as much as I am, or nolter
and don't you forget it!
Prove it!
Now look... lynch,
we've had a good run in this place
we've got a bit of money saved now or less
get out while we can
we've been partners in every kind of thing, burns
come on burns
just this one last time
nolter said just one more
and then it will be our turns
your turn!
He can make our glands work right
make us normal!
Don't you want to be normal burns?
I don't want any trouble with the police!
Now they must be investigating already
first that young girl and then the young man
both from the same university, both in the same week!
We've got to go, burns
they're easy and pretty
not after he gets through with them
no, not this time!
L... am... leaving!
Come along with the carnival if you want to, or you can stay here with nolter
Alright
I'll go alone
if you have the wagon leave it at nolter's, pick me up
or I'll kill you!
Nol!
Brian, I'm scared! I can't sleep!
That's not like you
I don't feel like me
everything's unreal, it's like I'm on a bad trip or something
alright, try and relax
I'll be right over, ok?
Please... and hurry!
Hedi, it's me, Tony
Tony...
Don't come any closer!
I've changed
you mustn't seel
Tony...
No control!
My brain
write down what I say
Nolter...
Experimenting...
Human beings
and...
Not human
must... get nolter
Tony!
Brian?
Hedi?
They'll be looking for her in the morning
they won't find her
I'm almost there
and this one, won't get away
Go see who it is, go on
get rid of them
we don't want to take any chances of being interrupted
not now...
Why didn't you ring the bell?
It would have been much easier, don't you think?
Where is she?
Who?
You know damn well who
Lynch: Get back!
Get back!
Stay away from me!
Get back...
You freaks!
Get back you freaks!
Don't you hear me?!
Get back!
No!
Don't you hear me?!
Why don't you get away?
Get away!
Ugh!
Don't you understand I want to... Don't you understand I want to live?!
Mr. bur...
Brian...
It's ok, it's ok, shhhh
it's all over now
You know something?
I love you!
Brian, I love you too
and I need you