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The Unknown (1927)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
4 June 1927 (USA)
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Plot:
Alonzo is an apparently armless knife thrower who uses his feet to encircle Estrellita with blades....
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Awards:
2 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Lots of horrific screenings around the U.S. and UK!
(From Fangoria. 8 May 2009, 1:54 PM, PDT)
The Man Who Laughs (1928) / The Dark Knight (2008)
(From Twitch. 18 July 2008, 2:25 PM, PDT)
(From Fangoria. 8 May 2009, 1:54 PM, PDT)
The Man Who Laughs (1928) / The Dark Knight (2008)
(From Twitch. 18 July 2008, 2:25 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Another Browning Masterpiece
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Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Lon Chaney | ... | Alonzo the Armless | |
| Norman Kerry | ... | Malabar the Mighty, Circus Strongman | |
| Joan Crawford | ... | Nanon Zanzi | |
| Nick De Ruiz | ... | Antonio Zanzi, Nanon's Father | |
| John George | ... | Cojo, Alonzo's Assistant | |
| Frank Lanning | ... | Costra | |
| Polly Moran | ... | Landlady (scenes deleted) | |
| Bobbie Mack | ... | Gypsy (scenes deleted) | |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Venezia Frandi | ... | (unconfirmed) | |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Alonzo the Armless (USA) (working title)
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Parents Guide:
Runtime:
63 min (23 fps) | UK:49 min (BFI print) | USA:49 min (alternate version)
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Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
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Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Joan Crawford always considered The Unknown (1927) a big turning point for her. She said it wasn't until working with Lon Chaney in this film that she learned the difference between standing in front of a camera and acting in front of a camera. She said that was all due to Lon Chaney and his intense concentration, and after that experience she said she worked much harder to become a better actress.
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Goofs:
Continuity: When Alonzo and Cojo are drinking wine, the glass suddenly fills between shots.
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Quotes:
Malabar the Mighty, Circus Strongman:
Why do you always draw away from me?
Nanon Zanzi: Why isn't he different from other men! Why doesn't he keep his hands off me?
Nanon Zanzi: Hands! Men's hands! How I hate them!
Nanon Zanzi: Men! The beasts! God would show wisdom if he took the hands from all of them!
Nanon Zanzi: Forgive me, Alonzo... I did not mean you.
Nanon Zanzi: You are the one man I can come to without fear.
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Nanon Zanzi: Why isn't he different from other men! Why doesn't he keep his hands off me?
Nanon Zanzi: Hands! Men's hands! How I hate them!
Nanon Zanzi: Men! The beasts! God would show wisdom if he took the hands from all of them!
Nanon Zanzi: Forgive me, Alonzo... I did not mean you.
Nanon Zanzi: You are the one man I can come to without fear.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in La femme d'à côté (1981)
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This is a truly spellbinding movie, one of the more bizarre you are likely to see. With Lon Chaney hiding from the law pretending to be an armless circus performer. Joan Crawford is stunningly beautiful as Nanon, the girl he loves. A well done serpentine story that tells more in under an hour than most films made today can tell in two hours. Chaney is the best film actor of all time, he really was the man of a thousand faces. It is a shame that some Browning/Chaney films have been lost forever, but this is one that should be watched by all, it is fantastic.