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The Unknown (1927)
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Overview
User Rating:
Your Rating:
Director:
Writers:
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:
(21 articles)
The Ethics of Tod Browning’s Freaks (1932)
(From SoundOnSight. 9 June 2013, 12:44 PM, PDT)
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)
(From SoundOnSight. 9 June 2013, 12:44 PM, PDT)
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)
User Reviews:
Creepy, unsettling masterpiece!
See more (90 total) »
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: When Alonzo and Cojo are drinking wine, the glass suddenly fills between shots.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 (90 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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I've heard so much about this movie, and it was not a disappointment. The surviving print seems to be missing some scenes, which accounts for its short length, but I doubt it takes away much from this twisted, sadistic "Gift of the Magi" gone bad. Chaney's performance is remarkable and, at times, genuinely alarming, and the very young Joan Crawford is a typical, but nevertheless appealing silent film heroine. Parts of this film really had me squirming, particularly towards the end. Browning's visual sense is the most beautiful I've seen in any of his films other than Dracula, with a full range of greys, whites and blacks and painterly compositions. It's available on TCM's excellent Lon Chaney Collection DVD.