Summary
Overview
The How Did This Get Made podcast celebrates its 400th episode by diving into the 2005 made-for-TV film Circus Island, written and directed by sisters Audrey and Judy Landers. This family production features the Landers sisters as twin sisters who reconnect on a circus-themed island in Florida, along with Ed Marinara (Carlos), a deadbeat dad turned trapeze artist, his estranged daughter Gabrielle, and the scene-stealing villain Ashley. The hosts are baffled by the film's bizarre plot choices, including ghosts, attempted murder, and a pervy kid with a video camera, all set against endless training montages and wildlife B-roll.
Introduction and the Lore of Circus Island
The hosts introduce Circus Island, a difficult-to-find 2005 film that defies categorization and continuously surprises. They establish that the movie takes place on a mysterious island accessible by a short boat ride from Florida, featuring a circus tent that looks more like a FEMA facility than a big top. The island's history involves sailors and circus training, though the exact nature remains unclear throughout the discussion.
- Circus Island is a 2005 film rated PG with the tagline 'Danger, Tears, Love, and Laughter... it all happens under the big top'
- The movie is hard to find on IMDb, listed under names like Island Fever and Circus Camp
- This is the podcast's 400th episode
- The circus tent looks like a COVID/FEMA tent rather than a traditional circus tent
- The island's history involves 'Sailor Circus' where sailors would come for respite and watch circus performances
" I'll tell you about this movie. It is about two sisters separated because one has a fear of water and the other one does not. It's about long lost daughters, it's about ghosts, it's about the circus, and it's about a girl who's really mean, but more importantly, it's about a pervy kid with a video camera. "
" I want to start now. I literally had a thought on the plane. I said, would it be crazy if we just called tonight Circuit Island Part 1, and we devote plenty of time to Part 1, and then we come back for Part 2, because there is too much. "
The Carlos/Ed Marinara Problem
The hosts dissect the character of Carlos (Ed Marinara), a gray-haired trapeze artist who abandoned his family 10 years ago to pursue his circus dreams. Despite being visibly too old for elite trapeze work, he refuses to get a regular job, remarries his ex-wife's twin sister, and continues prioritizing his Circus Mexicana dreams over his multiple families. The discussion reveals him as the film's true villain despite the movie's attempt to frame him sympathetically.
- Carlos is introduced as a deadbeat dad who leaves his wife and baby daughter without saying goodbye because he refuses to get a job other than trapeze artist
- He has gray chest hair and is clearly too old to be a professional trapeze artist, yet this is his only career goal
- Carlos hasn't worked as a trapeze artist professionally for approximately 15 years
- He lives off his new wife's dolphin training salary after meeting her during a storm on the island
" It's not easy getting a job as a trapeze artist. And that is what I do. "
" Sir, respectfully, you have gray chest hair. It's been over. And as someone who also has gray chest hair, I'm not out in these streets being like, you know what I need to do? Perform in the circus at an elite level in Mexico. "
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