LON CHANEY "The Man of a Thousand Faces"
Card position 4 Pag. 32 JOSETTI FILM ALBUM N°1
(personal collection)
Lon Chaney was one of the greatest actors in silent cinema, known for his ability to transform into different characters using makeup. Chaney was born in 1883 into a family of deaf and dumb people and learned to communicate with gestures and facial expressions. This skill came in handy when he began his theatrical career, playing comic and dramatic roles. Lon moved to Hollywood in 1912 and began working in film, where he stood out for his versatility and talent.
GERMAN POSTCARD ROSS VERLAG n° 1894/1
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Chaney was able to create and apply makeup himself, using materials such as cotton, collodion, fake dentures, and wigs to alter his face and body. He was inspired by the illustrations of the novels he adapted for the cinema, such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Phantom of the Opera by Victor Hugo. For these characters, Chaney subjected himself to real physical tortures, such as wearing a prosthesis that deformed his back, a mask that tightened his nose and glasses that limited his vision. Lon Chaney was also a master at changing his facial expressions and posture to make his characters more believable and dramatic.
He was nicknamed "The Man of a Thousand Faces" for his ability to transform into all kinds of characters, from monster to hero, from criminal to martyr. He died in 1930, leaving a legacy of cinematographic works that are still considered masterpieces today. Lon Chaney was a pioneer and genius of the art of makeup and wigging, who influenced generations of actors and directors.
"Courtesy of the Media History Digital Library"
page no. 27 of the magazine (CINELANDIA SETTEMBE 1928)
Lon Chaney's Characterizations
Lon Chaney's color box is the wonderful brush with which this remarkable actor has been shown to us in the various interpretations he has made on screen. Among these, we show here Chaney in "The Black Bird", "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", "The Countess's Servant" (Mockery), "London After Midnight", "Sergeant Malacara" (Tell It to the Marines), "Wu Li Chang" (Mr. Wu), "Laugh, clown, laugh!" (Laugh, Clown, Laugh!), etc. Lon Chaney, Hollywood's best-known makeup expert, jealously guards the secret of his art and never lets anyone into his backstage dressing room.
DISGUISES
Mrs. O'GRADY played by Chaney in the film "The Unholy Three"
Card posizione 4 pag. 3 THE WORLD IN PICTURES ALBUM 3
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Lon Chaney, the unforgettable "man of a thousand faces", gave life to one of his most memorable roles in the film "The Unholy Three". Playing ventriloquist Professor Echo, Chaney demonstrated his extraordinary ability for transformism, even taking on the identity of Mrs. O'Grady, a sweet old woman who runs a pet store. This role allowed Chaney to explore the duality of the character, oscillating between the cunning criminal and the harmless old lady, a contrast that added depth and complexity to the narrative. His performance was so convincing that the film was later remade as a talkie in 1930, with Chaney reprising his role in what would be his last film appearance and the only time audiences could hear his voice. Chaney's ability to embody such diverse characters with authenticity and craftsmanship was a testament to his exceptional talent and commitment to the art of acting. "The Unholy Three" remains a silent film classic, and Chaney's performance is an enduring example of his legacy as one of the greatest actors of his time.
"ALONZO THE ARMLESS" played by Chaney in the film "The Unknown"
Card posizione 5 pag. 3 THE WORLD IN PICTURES ALBUM 3
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In the 1927 film "The Unknown," Lon Chaney played one of his most extraordinary and disturbing roles, that of "Alonzo the Armless," a seemingly armless circus knife thrower. This dark and complex character, who hides a shocking secret, is a fugitive from the law who disguises himself as a circus performer to escape justice. Alonzo, who actually has arms, keeps them hidden and tied to his body to avoid being identified by the police due to a double thumb on his left hand, a hallmark of his past crimes. His performance was acclaimed for its emotional depth and expressive force, elements that made the character of Alonzo one of the most memorable in the history of silent cinema.
The plot revolves around his obsession with Nanon, played by Joan Crawford, a circus girl who suffers from a phobia of men's hands and who finds comfort only in the company of Alonzo, believing him harmless due to his apparent lack of arms. The narrative tension grows when Alonzo decides to undergo an operation to permanently remove his arms, in a desperate attempt to win Nanon's love. However, fate has a tragic twist in store: while Alonzo is recovering, Nanon overcomes his phobia and falls in love with the strong Malabar, played by Norman Kerry.
"The Unknown" is a masterpiece of the silent horror genre, directed by master Tod Browning, which explores themes of identity, obsessive love and physical transformation. Chaney's performance, which uses her feet to perform everyday actions such as eating, drinking, and even shooting a rifle, is a triumph of physical acting and wordless expression. The film is known for its dark atmosphere and depiction of a distorted love that leads to tragedy, elements that make it a timeless work and a reference point in genre cinema.
Joan Crawford, who was at the beginning of her career at the time, always considered "The Unknown" to be a turning point, crediting Chaney with teaching her the difference between being in front of a camera and acting in front of a camera. Her intense focus and dedication to the role inspired Crawford to work harder to become a better actress, a tribute to the transformative power of Chaney's performance. "The Unknown" remains a film that enchants and disturbs, a testament to Chaney's ability to capture the audience's empathy even as a deeply problematic and morally ambiguous character.
Mr. WU played by Chaney in the movie "Mr. Wu"
Card posizione 6 pag. 3 THE WORLD IN PICTURES ALBUM 3
(personal collection)
In 1927, Lon Chaney gave the film world one of his most memorable performances in the film "Mr. Wu." His capacity for transformation and the emotional depth that led to the dual role of the Chinese patriarch and his grandson have left an indelible mark on the history of silent cinema. Chaney masterfully embodied the complexity of a character torn between love for family and desire for revenge, demonstrating once again why he was known as "the man of a thousand faces". His performance in "Mr. Wu" was not only a triumph of acting, but also a demonstration of cultural sensitivity and respect for the depth of the characters he played. Chaney explored the nuances of a father dealing with the conflict between his country's traditions and the influence of the West, a theme that is still relevant today. His performance offered an unprecedented glimpse into the psychology of a man who lives between two worlds, making "Mr. Wu" a film that transcends its time and continues to speak to the hearts of modern viewers.
A TRIBUTE TO LON CHANEY
"Courtesy of the Media History Digital Library"
Pag. n.12 of the magazine (SCREENLAND Nov 1930-Apr 1931)
"LON CHANEY: A Tribute He will never make a film again, but the films he has made in his long and honorable film career will live on after him. Lon Chaney, the greatest character actor on screen, has never had a 'flop' — every film has been a box office success! Truly a glorious record. Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on April 1, 1883, the second of four children, all normal, born to deaf-mute parents. He left school at thirteen and acted as a guide at Pike's Peak. His first job in the theater was as a stage attendant. He later became a comic dancer, then a producer of vaudeville shows. He acted in burlesque — in opera — he was a real artist! In 1914 he entered the world of cinema — first as a comedian, then as a 'villain' in 'Hell Morgan's Girl'. A master in the art of make-up, he became a character actor, achieving his first major success in 'The Miracle Man'. After 'The Phantom of the Opera' and 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' he became known as 'The Man of a Thousand Faces'. Initially refusing, like Chaplin, to make sound films because he believed that pantomime was the only true method of cinematic expression, he eventually relented and made a successful sound version of 'The Unholy Three'. It was his last film. Lon Chaney passed away on August 26, 1930."
A memorable characterization and one of Lon Chaney's favorites: the clown in 'Laugh, Clown, Laugh'. The versatility of the greatest character actor on screen was manifested in 'The Unknown'. Lon Chaney disguised as a grandmother in his first and last sound film, 'The Unholy Three'."
Among his most famous films are The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923), in which he played the role of Quasimodo, and The Phantom of the Opera (1925), in which he played the role of Erik, the ghost. His ability to transform himself using make-up techniques that he himself developed earned him a reputation as a master of disguise and body expression. Chaney died on August 26, 1930, at the age of 47, from a severe pulmonary hemorrhage caused by throat cancer. His body was cremated and his ashes were buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
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