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The Unknown

  • 1927
  • Unrated
  • 1h 8m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
9.6K
YOUR RATING
Joan Crawford and Lon Chaney in The Unknown (1927)
Body HorrorDark RomancePsychological ThrillerDramaHorrorRomanceThriller

A criminal on the run hides in a circus and seeks to possess the daughter of the ringmaster at any cost.A criminal on the run hides in a circus and seeks to possess the daughter of the ringmaster at any cost.A criminal on the run hides in a circus and seeks to possess the daughter of the ringmaster at any cost.

  • Director
    • Tod Browning
  • Writers
    • Tod Browning
    • Waldemar Young
    • Joseph Farnham
  • Stars
    • Lon Chaney
    • Norman Kerry
    • Joan Crawford
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    9.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Tod Browning
    • Writers
      • Tod Browning
      • Waldemar Young
      • Joseph Farnham
    • Stars
      • Lon Chaney
      • Norman Kerry
      • Joan Crawford
    • 128User reviews
    • 61Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations

    Photos88

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    Top cast16

    Edit
    Lon Chaney
    Lon Chaney
    • Alonzo
    Norman Kerry
    Norman Kerry
    • Malabar
    Joan Crawford
    Joan Crawford
    • Nanon
    Nick De Ruiz
    • Zanzi
    John George
    John George
    • Cojo
    Frank Lanning
    Frank Lanning
    • Costra
    Tom Amandares
    • Gypsy running to Zanzis Death Scene
    • (uncredited)
    Margaret Bert
    • Fortune Teller
    • (uncredited)
    Louise Emmons
    Louise Emmons
    • Gypsy Woman
    • (uncredited)
    Italia Frandi
    • Girl in Audience Flirting with Malabar
    • (uncredited)
    Venezia Frandi
    • Woman in Audience
    • (uncredited)
    Polly Moran
    Polly Moran
    • Landlady
    • (uncredited)
    • …
    Julian Rivero
    Julian Rivero
    • Man in Theatre Audience
    • (uncredited)
    Billy Seay
    Billy Seay
    • The Little Wolf
    • (uncredited)
    Dorothy Seay
    • Spectator
    • (uncredited)
    John St. Polis
    John St. Polis
    • Surgeon
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Tod Browning
    • Writers
      • Tod Browning
      • Waldemar Young
      • Joseph Farnham
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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 Chaney and his intense concentration, and after that experience she said she worked much harder to become a better actress.

      Chaney's performance certainly inspired co-star Crawford who wrote "Lon Chaney was my introduction to acting. The concentration, the complete absorption he gave to his characterization filled me with such awe I could scarcely speak to him...watching him have me the desire to be a real actress."
    • Goofs
      Malabar pushes himself up off the bureau multiple times when talking to Nanon about flowers.
    • Quotes

      Malabar the Mighty, Circus Strongman: There is a time for fear, Nanon... and a time for hate... and a time for love.

    • Alternate versions
      The Turner library print has a commissioned score by the Alloy Orchestra and runs 49 minutes.
    • Connections
      Featured in Universal Horror (1998)

    User reviews128

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10

    You can't do a movie like that anymore

    One of the strong points of silent movies is that they are naive in the positive meaning of the word: they are creative.

    If anyone does a story like that today, one has to choose to do a drama, a thriller or a black comedy. Browning did not have to choose... he just made a very strange film.

    Another plus is the use of running time. No fillers. Just 60 minutes of strange ideas. The film is not perfect; and not anyone will enjoy it. But it features a great performance by Lon Chaney and nice photography (incl. creative use of backprojection). And if you like FREAKS, you have to see this one... the background of Browning as a circus assistant really shows up (though I hope, it wasn't that bad).

    Sorry, no story details. I don't want to ruin your fun.
    • nagi_of_bohemia-filmkunst
    • Oct 17, 1999
    • Permalink

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    FAQ15

    • How long is The Unknown?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 4, 1927 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • None
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Alonzo the Armless
    • Filming locations
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $217,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,841
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 8 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Silent
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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