Circus of Books

2019

1h 32m

Documentary

Biography

LGBTQ+

List

98%

59 Reviews

Tomatometer

80%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

In 1976 a couple take over an adult book store, 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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Audience Member

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.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

david f

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

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

max m

So much more than you'd expect, worth every minute.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

georgan g

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

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

ruben r

fascinating look into an interesting family and their business.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Rachel Mason

Director

Karen Mason

Actor

Rachel Mason

Actor

Larry Flynt

Actor

Jeff Stryker

Actor

Phil Tarley

Actor

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Taryn Allen

Chicago Reader

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.

May 29, 2020

Full Review

Jo Livingstone

The New Republic

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.

Apr 29, 2020

Full Review

Tre'vell Anderson

Out Magazine

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

Apr 29, 2020

Full Review

Ben Turner

The Pink Lens

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.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 1, 2021

Full Review

Jason Adams

The Film Experience

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.

Jul 6, 2021

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

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

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 30, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

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

Director: Rachel Mason
Producer: Rhianon Jones, John Battsek
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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