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The Unknown (1927)
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Overview
User Rating:
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Director:
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Release Date:
4 June 1927 (USA)
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Plot:
A criminal on the run hides in a circus and seeks to possess the daughter of the ringmaster at any cost. Full summary » | Add synopsis »
Awards:
2 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(20 articles)
Ranked: Top Ten Scariest Actors
(From Cinelinx. 27 October 2012, 8:25 AM, PDT)
The Penalty (1920) | Blu-ray Review
(From ioncinema. 16 October 2012, 5:20 PM, PDT)
Michel Hazanavicius: Favorite Silent Movies
(From Alt Film Guide. 6 March 2012, 2:30 AM, PST)
(From Cinelinx. 27 October 2012, 8:25 AM, PDT)
The Penalty (1920) | Blu-ray Review
(From ioncinema. 16 October 2012, 5:20 PM, PDT)
Michel Hazanavicius: Favorite Silent Movies
(From Alt Film Guide. 6 March 2012, 2:30 AM, PST)
User Reviews:
Chaney Masterpiece
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Cast
(in credits order) (verified as complete) | Lon Chaney | ... | Alonzo |
 | Norman Kerry | ... | Malabar |
 | Joan Crawford | ... | Nanon |
| Nick De Ruiz | ... | Zanzi |
| John George | ... | Cojo |
| Frank Lanning | ... | Costra |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Louise Emmons | ... | Gypsy Woman (uncredited) |
| Italia Frandi | ... | Girl in Audience Flirting with Malabar (uncredited) |
| Venezia Frandi | ... | (unconfirmed) (uncredited) |
| Julian Rivero | ... | Man in Audience (uncredited) |
| Billy Seay | ... | The Little Wolf (uncredited) |
| John St. Polis | ... | Surgeon (uncredited) |
Directed by | |||
| Tod Browning | |||
Writing credits | ||
| Mary Roberts Rinehart | (novel "K") uncredited | |
| Tod Browning | (story) | |
| Waldemar Young | (scenario) | |
| Joseph Farnham | (titles) (as Joe Farnham) | |
Cinematography by | |||
| Merritt B. Gerstad | (photography by) (as M. Gerstad) | ||
Film Editing by | |||
| Harry Reynolds | (film editor) | ||
| Errol Taggart | (film editor) | ||
Set Decoration by | |||
| Richard Day | (settings) | ||
| Cedric Gibbons | (settings) | ||
Stunts | |||
| Paul Desmuke | .... | stunt double (uncredited) | |
Camera and Electrical Department | |||
| Clarence Sinclair Bull | .... | still photographer (uncredited) | |
Costume and Wardrobe Department | |||
| Lucia Coulter | .... | wardrobe | |
Music Department | |||
| Jack Feinberg | .... | set musician (uncredited) | |
| Sam Feinberg | .... | set musician (uncredited) | |
Production Companies
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (presents) (Tod Browning's production)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1927) (USA) (theatrical)
- Warner Home Video (2003) (USA) (DVD)
- Network Enterprises (????) (USA) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (2005) (USA) (DVD)
Additional Details
Also Known As:
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Parents Guide:
Runtime:
63 min (23 fps) | UK:49 min (BFI print) | USA:49 min (alternate version)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Company:
Did You Know?
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.See more »
Goofs:
Continuity: During the scene where we fist meet Alonzo and he is throwing knives with his feet, the shot shows the girl against the board and there are no knives. It cuts to Alonzo throwing and when it goes back to the girl to see the impact there are knives in a silhouette around her.See more »
Quotes:
Malabar the Mighty, Circus Strongman:You are a riddle, Nanon. You shrink from me... yet you kiss my flowers when I am gone.See more »
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Santa Sangre (1989)See more »
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.See more (89 total) »
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Unknown (1927)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Lon Chaney Sr. | raphaelacorleone |
| Anyone know wher e i can buy this? | homeofleia |
| I saw it on TCM last night... | drdebacle |
| masterpiece masterpiece masterpiece | rflock |
Recommendations
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A circus performer ventures into THE UNKNOWN regions of fate when he allows love to be twisted by hatred.
Master actor Lon Chaney and his friend, acclaimed director Tod Browning, took their love of the macabre and fashioned this weirdly entertaining & suspenseful little silent film, made wonderful by Chaney's powerful over-the-top performance. Playing the armless wonder in a gypsy circus, Chaney's face is a casebook of emotions as he longs for the chieftain's daughter. After making a tremendous, indeed, outrageous, sacrifice for her, he discovers it is all an utter waste. Chaney's agony is horribly apparent as he feels his life crumble around him. The actor uses his superb physical conditioning to great effect, his feet as facile as any hands--the extreme punishment undergone to play the part enormously impressive.
In an important early film role, Joan Crawford is both sultry & disarming as the object of Chaney's desires; her intense neurotic phobia concerning men's hands certainly makes her character more interesting. Norman Kerry is affable & tender as the circus strong man who also loves Crawford. John George as Chaney's dwarf accomplice and Nick De Ruiz as the brutal circus chief are quite effective in their colorful roles.
MGM gave the film fine production values, especially in the circus scenes--a milieu dear to Chaney's heart.