Lon Chaney
Posted: September 9th, 2011, 2:52 pm
I wasn't really sure where to put this thread but I thought if I put it in the silent category he wouldn't get mixed up with his son and namesake. He's not the first name that springs to my mind when I think about silent film stars, my mind goes to the glamourous or the ones who's lives were well documented. From what I know Lon Chaney led quite a private life away from the film set, he didn't attend many parties and like Garbo he wasn't expected to join in with the all singing dancing shows that MGM put on to rival the other studios. He was quite unique, he was devoted to his craft of acting and a master at assuming new disguises for every role, I'm not sure if he worked alone at designing the look for his characters or whether he would work along with his director. His collaboration with Todd Browning provided some of his best films, many which are well remembered today.
He's not the first silent star I think of so perhaps this is why I marvel at his craftmanship everytime I watch him. Even when the film is flawed, like Monster which I watched yesterday, he makes you keep watching. I never know in what disguise he's going to pop up in. Along with watching Monster yesterday I watched Mockery, set during the Russian revolution, Chaney isn't too made up but he's heart rending as the peasant who falls for the countess. With Monster the problem for me was he story built around it which was too long and convaluted. London After Midnight rounded out my viewing, unfortunately only a series of clips but some of the essence is retained and has whetted my appetite should it ever be found.
Aside from these I think my favourites have been
The Unholy Three
West of Zanzibar
The Unknown
Where East is East
The Phantom of the Opera
I liked his portrayal in Tell it to the Marines but like William Haines's part too much.
He's not the first silent star I think of so perhaps this is why I marvel at his craftmanship everytime I watch him. Even when the film is flawed, like Monster which I watched yesterday, he makes you keep watching. I never know in what disguise he's going to pop up in. Along with watching Monster yesterday I watched Mockery, set during the Russian revolution, Chaney isn't too made up but he's heart rending as the peasant who falls for the countess. With Monster the problem for me was he story built around it which was too long and convaluted. London After Midnight rounded out my viewing, unfortunately only a series of clips but some of the essence is retained and has whetted my appetite should it ever be found.
Aside from these I think my favourites have been
The Unholy Three
West of Zanzibar
The Unknown
Where East is East
The Phantom of the Opera
I liked his portrayal in Tell it to the Marines but like William Haines's part too much.