Producer: Robert Arthur
Director: Joseph Pevney
Music: Frank Skinner
Release Date: August 13, 1957
Awards: Nominated for the Best Writing Academy Award.
Origination: Based on the life of silent film actor Lon Chaney Sr.
Interesting Fact: Chaney starred in the 1919 film version of The Miracle Worker, which was adapted to the stage and starred George M. Cohan in the cast. Cohan was another individual to be reprised by James Cagney.
Lon Chaney: The kind of fellows I play, pretty girls don't write to.
Very few biographies on actors of the silent era had been done when this movie was released. Films had been done on figures like Al Jolson who had been the forefront leader into talkies, but it was Lon Chaney who was far more unique than any other performer. His talent as an actor was more than a portrayal of a character, it was a work of art. Complex makeup combined with painful posture were limits that Chaney went beyond. Through his talent of shape shifting and study of the character he could make you feel sorry for the ugliest of characters. He was a true genius!
This film, though at times slightly inaccurate, brings to light some of his work through the talents of James Cagney. I feel that Cagney does a fantastic job, which compliments the already fascinating story of Lon Chaney's life. Cagney would go through some of the same shape shifting routines, but may have not gone as far as Chaney. All-in-all, this story is heart wrenching and eye opening.
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MOVIE?
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