I've been watching this recently re-evaluated silent film from 1927. Lon Chaney had a remarkable career as a mute character actor, sometimes referred to as 'the man of a thousand faces'. Both of his parents were mute and Chaney learned to communicate with facial expressions and gestures - both remarkable skills he adapted for silent cinema, resulting in a career in mostly horror films. Chaney carried about with him a make-up case with a few elementary 'tools' from which he fashioned his personas which included 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Phantom of the Opera", just to name two notable performances.
"The Unknown" is mostly remembered today, not for its contrived and incredible plot about a thief (Alonzo) who joins the circus and avoids detection from police by pretending to have no arms, but for Chaney's stunning performance as the knife-thrower who uses his legs; he falls in love with Nanon (Joan Crawford, in an early role) who cannot tolerate men touching her. Significant suspension of disbelief required here!! Alonzo wants to prove his love and because he fears detection and will do anything to attract Nanon he has a surgeon remove his arms. Are you ready for this plot?
"The Unknown" is a rather disturbing psycho-erotic/thriller/horror film, made in 'pre-Code' Hollywood. There are some very erotic scenes in the film. Director Browning had many horror films to his credit, including the first "Dracula", and he does a fine job here leaving his actors to virtually carry the film, with only limited visual effects. Chaney wore a brace around his torso to conceal his arms for the performance and the film would have us believe he had great agility with his feet - but this would have been an effect using a body double.
Today this film is notable for its scene with Alonzo who discovers that Nanon is going to marry the circus muscle-man and that the removal of his arms had been absolutely futile. His retribution for being a thief and murderer is finally realized in one of the most concentrated and memorable scenes of grief ever conveyed on film, not just in silent film, which drew the admiration of at least two generations of modern film actors. Watch here from 37:00.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x55m82x
Lon Chaney was a superb actor who used his face to delve into the soul of a character who often had multi-dimensional qualities but which characteristics were often latent, defying all but the most subtle reading.
"The Unknown" is mostly remembered today, not for its contrived and incredible plot about a thief (Alonzo) who joins the circus and avoids detection from police by pretending to have no arms, but for Chaney's stunning performance as the knife-thrower who uses his legs; he falls in love with Nanon (Joan Crawford, in an early role) who cannot tolerate men touching her. Significant suspension of disbelief required here!! Alonzo wants to prove his love and because he fears detection and will do anything to attract Nanon he has a surgeon remove his arms. Are you ready for this plot?
"The Unknown" is a rather disturbing psycho-erotic/thriller/horror film, made in 'pre-Code' Hollywood. There are some very erotic scenes in the film. Director Browning had many horror films to his credit, including the first "Dracula", and he does a fine job here leaving his actors to virtually carry the film, with only limited visual effects. Chaney wore a brace around his torso to conceal his arms for the performance and the film would have us believe he had great agility with his feet - but this would have been an effect using a body double.
Today this film is notable for its scene with Alonzo who discovers that Nanon is going to marry the circus muscle-man and that the removal of his arms had been absolutely futile. His retribution for being a thief and murderer is finally realized in one of the most concentrated and memorable scenes of grief ever conveyed on film, not just in silent film, which drew the admiration of at least two generations of modern film actors. Watch here from 37:00.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x55m82x
Lon Chaney was a superb actor who used his face to delve into the soul of a character who often had multi-dimensional qualities but which characteristics were often latent, defying all but the most subtle reading.
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