MovieChat Forums > The Unknown (1927) Discussion > Absolutely Incredible

Absolutely Incredible

posted 17 years ago by Mr_McLaurel
7 replies | jump to latest

I just finished watching this fantastic movie, and it makes me want to immediately seek out all of Chaney's movies and watch them immediately. Proof of the movie's power: my 9-year-old sister, someone who lives on Hannah Montana and SpongeBob SquarePants, started clinging to my arm at the scene where Nanon tells Alonzo that she and the strongman are to be married, and was in near hysterics during the scene with the horses. She's still freaked out about it! I don't usually indulge in hyperbole when it comes to movies, but here goes: Lon Chaney's performance in this movie is perhaps the best ever put on film. Unforgettable.

What's the Spanish for drunken bum?

[–] funkyfry 16 years ago

Yeah, it's an incredible performance. I was already a fan of Chaney the first time I saw it but this movie just made me an even bigger fan and a much bigger fan of Tod Browning, who can be clumsy sometimes but really hit the nail with this one.

As far as seeking out other Chaney films, I definitely recommend first and foremost "HE Who Gets Slapped" and "The Penalty."

Did I not love him, Cooch? MY OWN FLESH I DIDN'T LOVE BETTER!!! But he had to say 'Nooooooooo'

[–] Mr_McLaurel 16 years ago

I've seen The Penalty - it's good, but I didn't think it was anywhere close to The Unknown.

What's the Spanish for drunken bum?

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] marvel88 16 years ago

It was quite a chilling film - Lon Chaney's dynamic performance, the exotic young Joan Crawford, and the score to it - all made a great film.

"I know you're in there, Fagerstrom!"-Conan O'Brien

[–] creek_girl 16 years ago

I watched this for the first time last night with my 8 year old daughter, and she was engrossed. She freaked out too during the scenes you described and was horrified when Alonzo visited the doctor and asked he perform a certain operation. I'm speaking in generalities so I don't spoil the movie.

What I did notice was that the film is in horrible disrepair. Does anyone know if it's been restored? My version was one rented from netflix. Last week, we watched "The Cat and the Canary" on TCM and it was beautifully restored by Photoplay.

"This is not good for my rage."

[–] heelmaster2000 13 years ago

Yeah, it was a good movie.

[–] thesnowleopard 9 years ago

West of Zanzibar is one of his best, but be forewarned--it almost makes The Unknown look like a Disney cartoon.

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