# The Unknown (1927)

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.

- Kind: Feature
- Year: 1927
- By: Tod Browning, Joseph W. Farnham, Waldemar Young
- Genres: Horror, Crime, Romance, Silent
- Archive: [Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/the-unknown-1927-full-length)
- Licence or status: [Public Domain Mark 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/) (as the archive states it)
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (the archive gives no rating; placed by Invisible Network from its collection and subjects)

[Watch now](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/watch/archive/ia/the-unknown-1927-full-length?play=1)