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The Unknown
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The Unknown (1927) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   2,077 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 6% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Tod Browning
Writers:
Tod Browning (story)
Waldemar Young (scenario)
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Unknown on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
4 June 1927 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Horror | Romance more
Plot:
Alonzo is an apparently armless knife thrower who uses his feet to encircle Estrellita with blades.... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Lots of horrific screenings around the U.S. and UK!
 (From Fangoria. 8 May 2009, 1:54 PM, PDT)

The Man Who Laughs (1928) / The Dark Knight (2008)
 (From Twitch. 18 July 2008, 2:25 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
Thumbs Up! more

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Lon Chaney ... Alonzo the Armless
Norman Kerry ... Malabar the Mighty, Circus Strongman

Joan Crawford ... Nanon Zanzi
Nick De Ruiz ... Antonio Zanzi, Nanon's Father
John George ... Cojo, Alonzo's Assistant
Frank Lanning ... Costra
Polly Moran ... Landlady (scenes deleted)
Bobbie Mack ... Gypsy (scenes deleted)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Louise Emmons ... Gypsy Woman (uncredited)
Julian Rivero ... Man in Audience (uncredited)
Billy Seay ... The Little Wolf (uncredited)
John St. Polis ... Surgeon (uncredited)
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Directed by
Tod Browning 
 
Writing credits
Mary Roberts Rinehart (novel "K") uncredited

Tod Browning (story)

Waldemar Young (scenario)

Joseph Farnham (titles)

Cinematography by
Merritt B. Gerstad  (as M. Gerstad)
 
Film Editing by
Harry Reynolds 
Errol Taggart 
 
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 .... wardrober
 
Music Department
Jack Feinberg .... set musician (uncredited)
Sam Feinberg .... set musician (uncredited)
 
Crew believed to be complete


Production CompaniesDistributors
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Alonzo the Armless (USA) (working title)
Alonzo kädetön (Finland) [fi]
Demon cyrku (Poland) [pl]
Der Mann ohne Hände (Austria) [de]
Der Unbekannte (Austria) [de]
Garras humanas (Spain) [es]
L'inconnu (France) [fr]
Lo sconosciuto (Italy) [it]
O Homem Sem Braços (Portugal) [pt]
The Unknown - Der Unbekannte (Germany) [de]
more
Runtime:
63 min (23 fps) | UK:49 min (BFI print) | USA:49 min (alternate version)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Silent

Fun Stuff

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. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Alonzo and Cojo are drinking wine, the glass suddenly fills between shots. more
Quotes:
Alonzo the Armless: No one will get her... no one but me! more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Man of a Thousand Faces (1957) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
9 out of 12 people found the following comment useful:-
Thumbs Up!, 1 April 2005
8/10
Author: Gary170459 from Derby, UK

I give this one 8/10 simply for uniqueness. It's not a horror film, but if you can follow and swallow it The Unknown certainly is an unsettling experience. I don't think anyone has spoiled it yet for the unwary so for an explanation of why, the best thing to do is watch it! Suffice to report it's a tale of twisted love and the lengths a man's passion goes to ... to get his hands on the woman. Alonzo didn't understand women however!

Tod Browning sailed close to the edge as usual, and Lon Chaney put in a fine performance as a murderer on the run - I presume he was, from extrapolation of events in the 47 minute TCM UK TV version. Joan Crawford looked very pretty, before Hollywood really got hold of her and uglified her.

There's obviously many bits missing from this print, but by paying attention it's fairly straightforward to understand. I think it's worth it too, especially if you like silent films as I do. The scenes photographed through gauze were striking, but what was that all about?! Overall, different and slightly depressing - is the moral we men are all so desperate when infatuated with a woman?

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