Man of a thousand faces

[toys2cool]

anyone ever seen this? it's with James Cagney and I think it's the story of Lon Chaney? Just curious if it was any good? thanx guys

[madmarva]

If you're a fan of Lon Chaney or Cagney, it's worth watching, but it's not a great film. It recreates several of Chaney's famous makeups and Chaney really did have a hard life before becoming a Hollywood star, so there's a good bit of melodrama. It was made in the early 50s, but Cagney still gives an energetic performance. Not a classic, but if you like films from that era, it's enjoyable.

[thunderbolt]

It was ok, Cagney looked a bit silly as the Phantom.

[Gorn Captain]

Not a great film. Lon Chaney deserves better, because he was an amazing makeup master. Considering that he worked his magic 90 years ago (!), simply astounding...

He was scheduled to play Dracula in 1931, before Lugosi. Just imagine what Drac would have looked like? The Count might have looked absolutely terrifying, instead of Lugosi's distinguished appearance.

[palitoy]

I once read an article and I can't remember who they were interviewing but the person said that he was in a screening room for this movie and a voice in the back piped up (paraphrase) "Boy, you really whitewashed the SOB!"

It was Jr.

[madmarva]

Great story, Palitoy

[Earth 2 Chris]

So I take it Lon Jr. had some daddy issues? Is there any Hollywood child that doesn't? Anyone?

Chris

[palitoy]

The one thing that is rare these days is if Jr had issues with dad, he seemed to take them to his grave.

His crappy childhood is on record however.

[Gorn Captain]

If I had so many issues with my Dad, I wouldn't take his name and profession. From the books I've read, Creighton Chaney became a bitter man real fast.
He said "they had to starve me to take my father's name". OK, but he had other career options, like the rest of us. I never felt Jr was that talented in the acting department, or perhaps he never had the chance to prove it.

I wouldn't mind reading more about Chaney Sr's personal life. I've read parts.

[toys2cool]

thanx for the info guys

[madmarva]

I guess Chaney Jr.'s best role is considered Lennie from "Of Mice and Men," which Warner Bros. cartoons often satirized, but I thought he was pretty good in the Inner Sanctum B-movie series, for what those movies were. But no, he wasn't a great talent.

Last year, Turner Classics played server of Chaney's films, which I'd never seen and the guy really did some amazing things even more so with his body than makeup. I have a hard time watching silent movies all the way through, but I enjoyed speeding through and slowing down the films for key scenes with my DVR.

[Figuremod73]

Always been interested in early hollywood(land) especally people like Chaney. If Chaney's bio hasnt been remade it should be. The early makeup effects were astounding.

[palitoy]

I think Jr was a talented actor, he just got pidgeon holed into the horror genre and (I think) phoned it in largely out of resentment and alcoholism.

Would he have been as revered as his father had things gone his way? No, but that really isn't fair either, Chaney Sr's contributions to the silver screen have become larger than life.

Jr had some chops though.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^I agree. The Wolfman alone shows this. Under other actors, the character could have evoked little sympathy. As it stands I tend to think of Larry Talbot as the hero of the Universal monster series. He's trying to do the right thing, no matter what it may cost himself. Chaney puts this desperation across very well.

Chris

[hawkmike]

one of my favorite movies of all time