Feature19271 h 58 min638×480

The Unknown (1927)

Tod Browning, Joseph W. Farnham, Waldemar Young

HorrorCrimeRomanceSilent

Clips are not offered for this film yet: it is in several files, and clips are cut from a film in one.

Parts

About

I've been researching newly public domain films from 1929 and earlier, along with other pictures of the era that I find interesting, so I'm uploading the best possible copies that I can find.

While actor Lon Chaney was known for horror roles by the time this film came out, the lack of monster makeup for this film is notable. Chaney plays an armless circus performer named Alonzo, who is in love with the circus-owners daughter, Nanon. While Nanon can't stand being touched by a man, she doesn't mind being around Alonzo, who can't touch her due to the lack of his arms. Alonzo is hiding many secrets, however, and it is only a matter of time before Nanon realizes. The Unknown was a financial hit and is now thought of as a masterpiece of silent cinema.

I've uploaded the 1968 print version here as well as the more recent, and more complete, version.

Archive
Internet Archive, in Silent films
Licence or status
Public Domain Mark 1.0, as the Internet Archive states it.
Credit
Tod Browning, Joseph W. Farnham, Waldemar Young
Language
English
Who can watch
The archive gives no rating. Invisible Network shows it to Teens profiles and older, judged from its collection and subjects. How films are placed