Circus of Books

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Circus of Books

2019

1h 32m

Documentary

Biography

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

58 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

In 1976 a couple take over an adult bookstore, and the store becomes the biggest distributor of gay porn in the United States.

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Critics Consensus

Like the cheekily named store at this documentary's center, Circus of Books proves there are countless stories below the surface if we're only willing to look.

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Taryn Allen

Chicago Reader

May 29, 2020

Circus of Books is a triumph of filmmaking in the way it covers such a range of topics so seamlessly: LGBTQ history, pornography, religion, obscenity law, media, AIDS, coming out, parenthood, and more.

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Jo Livingstone

The New Republic

Apr 29, 2020

Circus of Books is the story of an American family who wandered into the eye of history, and a virtuoso example of how to make a movie both very big and very small at once.

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Tre'vell Anderson

Out Magazine

Apr 29, 2020

A worthy homage to the Los Angeles-area landmark of LGBTQ+ culture.

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Ben Turner

The Pink Lens

Sep 1, 2021

4/5

Circus Of Books is a spellbinding portrait of two unlikely Queer allies, charting their personal journeys with a community that would become central to their lives.

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Jason Adams

The Film Experience

Jul 6, 2021

Circus of Books cops a feel for the personal, the political, and the pornographic, all at once -- you'll need a cigarette after it's done with you.

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Jan 30, 2021

3.5/5

The store may be long gone but its ethos of embracing who you are is well represented in this charming documentary.

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Peter K

@Vacadoug Aug 29, 2026

A very good documentary of how the porn industry changed the evolution of the LGBT movement in the late 20th century.

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Jens B

@Jens97 Jul 3, 2024

I'm fascinated with Karen. So many contradictions and conflicts, and she tackled them with pragmatism. I could watch a part two about her tbh.

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Dec 25, 2021

This is the kind of work that you end up appreciating the genuinity of the story. The coincidence that led things to seemingly funny situation but how it was just a part of their lives regardless. We all can relate to at least a part of the story as a human being.

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david f

@dfulmer Dec 15, 2020

This is a great documentary about an adult bookstore in Los Angeles. If those walls could talk.

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georgan g

@RT98616417 Sep 4, 2020

Fun to watch especially if you are of an age to remember the gay community b4 being out was much harder than today.

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Sep 2, 2020

Just wish it was longer and got deep in some stories, but great overall.

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Rachel Mason

Director

Karen Mason

Actor

Rachel Mason

Actor

Larry Flynt

Actor

Jeff Stryker

Actor

Phil Tarley

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Synopsis

In 1976 a couple take over an adult bookstore, and the store becomes the biggest distributor of gay porn in the United States.

Director: Rachel Mason
Producer: Adam Baran, Cynthia Childs, Camilla Hall, Kathryn Robson
Screenwriter: Kathryn Robson, Rachel Mason
Genre: Documentary, Biography, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 22, 2020
Runtime: 1h 32m

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