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That is the statement of Alonzo (Lon Chaney) as he feels his love for his circus partner, Nanon (Joan Crawford), being threatened by someone. His obsession will lead him to do anything, he says. But will he own up to that?
The Unknown follows Alonzo, a fugitive that poses as an armless circus freak to hide his identity. He is secretly smitten with Nanon, the daughter of the ringmaster. The thing is that Nanon has a fear of men and their arms, which makes her shun the advances of Malabar (Norman Kerry), the circus strongman.
After killing someone at the circus in a fit of rage, and with Malabar insisting on Nanon, Alonzo sees himself forced to fulfill his vow of doing anything to "own" her. Unfortunately, obsession can lead someone to do crazy things, which is exactly what happens to Alonzo.
This film had been recommended to me by a few people, but I hadn't been able to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised by how good and raw it was. The lead cast is pretty solid, and the sense of dread is successfully built through all the film. Also, unlike other romantic films of the time, this one feels more real and organic, probably because it takes time to develop.
Chaney once again proves why he was one of the biggest stars of the silent era. His facial expressions are key and he does such a great job of transmitting a wide array of emotions in the character. In addition, the ending really managed to keep me on the edge, so kudos to Browning, whose career I'm starting to become more curious about.
Grade:
THE UNKNOWN
(1927, Browning)
A film from the 1920s
(1927, Browning)
A film from the 1920s
"There is nothing I will not do to own her! Nothing... do you understand? Nothing!"
That is the statement of Alonzo (Lon Chaney) as he feels his love for his circus partner, Nanon (Joan Crawford), being threatened by someone. His obsession will lead him to do anything, he says. But will he own up to that?
The Unknown follows Alonzo, a fugitive that poses as an armless circus freak to hide his identity. He is secretly smitten with Nanon, the daughter of the ringmaster. The thing is that Nanon has a fear of men and their arms, which makes her shun the advances of Malabar (Norman Kerry), the circus strongman.
After killing someone at the circus in a fit of rage, and with Malabar insisting on Nanon, Alonzo sees himself forced to fulfill his vow of doing anything to "own" her. Unfortunately, obsession can lead someone to do crazy things, which is exactly what happens to Alonzo.
This film had been recommended to me by a few people, but I hadn't been able to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised by how good and raw it was. The lead cast is pretty solid, and the sense of dread is successfully built through all the film. Also, unlike other romantic films of the time, this one feels more real and organic, probably because it takes time to develop.
Chaney once again proves why he was one of the biggest stars of the silent era. His facial expressions are key and he does such a great job of transmitting a wide array of emotions in the character. In addition, the ending really managed to keep me on the edge, so kudos to Browning, whose career I'm starting to become more curious about.
Grade: