Tod Browning – The Unknown (1927)

The Unknown
Release date: June 4, 1927

Cast:
Lon Chaney as Alonzo
Norman Kerry as Malabar
Joan Crawford as Nanon 

Based on the novel by Mary Roberts Rinehart
Story by Tod Browning
Scenario by Waldemar Young
Directed by Tod Browning

Plot:
Alonzo is an armless circus performer who is in love with the daughter of the circus owner. However, the strong man is in love with her as well and becomes an obstacle for Alonzo when he discovers a hidden truth. What secrets does Alonzo hide and to what lengths will he go to keep them hidden?

Richard’s Thoughts:
Although I have seen The Unknown numerous times over the years, this latest version from Criterion boasts an extra 10 minutes. As author David J. Skal indicates in his commentary, the extra footage doesn’t reveal any lost plot lines or even complete scenes. He stated that it does, however, allow the film to breathe by adding extra moments in between the significant elements of the storyline. I would agree that while these extra 10 minutes aren’t necessarily important, they positively expand on an already classic film.

Tod Browning’s passion for the circus life, and even the darker aspects of the sideshow world, are front and center in this tale of a man pretending to be armless to hide away from the law (he has two thumbs on his left hand that would give him away). Of course, as he witnesses the object of his affections expound on her hatred of men touching her, he comes up with a dark plan that you know is ultimately doomed to failure. As we build towards the inevitable climax, a foreboding tense level of anxiety can overtake you and bring you to the edge of your seat as we race toward the final moments.

Lon Chaney turns in another classic performance and, as many would agree, one of his best. I’ve also always been surprised by the young Joan Crawford. I’ve never been a big fan of her later performances and her less-than-pleasant reputation is legendary. However, in this early film, she is truly stunning and seems far removed from the almost maniacal and egotistical stories that continue to surround her even years after her death.

I highly recommend you check out this restoration of The Unknown. The quality of the print has never looked better and Philip Carli’s score should please every silent film aficionado. There’s also a great commentary from the late David J. Skal and an interview with author Megan Abbott.    

Trivia:
This restoration of The Unknown comes from two surviving nitrate prints (a French print in the George Eastman Museum and a Czech-language version in Prague). Approximately 10 minutes have been restored, bringing this version the closest to the original running time we have seen since its original release.

Availability:
The Unknown is available on Blu-ray in the Tod Browning’s Sideshow Shockers set from the Criterion Collection.

Tod Browning – The Mystic (1925)

The Mystic
Release date: September 25, 1925

Cast:
Aileen Pringle as Zara
Conway Tearle as Michael Nash
Mitchell Lewis as Zazarack
Robert Ober as Anton
Stanton Heck as Carlo

Story by Tod Browning
Adapted by Waldemar Young
Directed by Tod Browning

Plot:
An American criminal recruits a band of Hungarian gypsies to play a part in a plot to trick a young woman out of her family jewels.  

Richard’s Thoughts:
I had never heard of The Mystic before it was announced as being included in a new Criterion Blu-ray collection last year. Of course, everyone was talking about the other two films, The Unknown (1927) and Freaks (1932). The Mystic was the real unknown in the set and it was a very pleasant surprise. Even though it was directed by Tod Browning, the film had become forgotten over the years due to its lack of star power, by today’s audience at least, and its general unavailability. Now, we all have the chance to rediscover it.

To be fair, it’s not really a horror film nor does it have any seriously shocking moments. It’s more of a dramatic piece about a criminal who recruits a band of Hungarian gypsy circus performers who have a mystic act. He wants to bring them to America to help him run an elaborate scheme to trick a rich young woman out of some very expensive jewels.

The fun is in watching how they attempt to pull it off using the mystic gimmick and a lot of trickery. Something straight out of a classic episode of Mission: Impossible. At the time, and even now, there was a lot of focus on the clothes that the character of Zara wore. They were created by the legendary Erté. There is an informative extra feature on the Blu-ray narrated by the late David J. Skal that is well worth watching (this set was his last work before his tragic and untimely death in January 2024).

I thoroughly enjoyed The Mystic as I found the story engaging and still very timely, at least in the overall setup. What I didn’t enjoy is the original score that was composed by Dean Hurley. I am more of a traditionalist when it comes to silent movie scores. Give me a piano or an organ or an orchestral score any day of the week. Some of the music here was eerie and surreal, which I know some will enjoy, but it just isn’t my preference. I also find the additional crowd voices a little unsettling. But, your mileage may vary for sure.

I would highly recommend The Mystic, especially to those interested in seeing more of Tod Browning’s work beyond the more common choices that are usually talked about.

Karla’s Review:
I really loved this movie from the actors to the story to the happy ending. I’m always a sucker for a movie with a happy ending where the couple end up together and the conflict is resolved. What I didn’t enjoy was the weird score and added sound effects. Some of the musical choices were just horrendous. I’d easily watch this movie again based on the story but I might not just because of the soundtrack. I wish someone would compose something a little more traditional.

Trivia:
Composer Dean Hurley created the score for the 2023 Criterion Blu-ray release. Hurley is more commonly associated with Twin Peaks and the works of David Lynch.

Availability:
The Mystic is available on Blu-ray in the Tod Browning’s Sideshow Shockers set from the Criterion Collection.

DieCast Movie Podcast – Puppet Master (1989)

I have made my long-awaited return to the DieCast Movie Podcast. In episode 227, Steve Turek and I begin a long journey of exploring the Puppet Master series. As with all great things, it begins with the first step. So, join us as we take a look at the first film, Puppet Master (1989). Will we survive to the end?

You can listen to the podcast through any of the following:

Apple podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/…/diecast-movie-rev…/id1483140186
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3cMDswo9FGs0ofVJ1CQjcE
Podchaser – https://radiopublic.com/diecast-movie-review-podcast-8XP7wA

As always, tell ’em Monster Movie Kid sent ya!

Go Ape! – War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)

As Go Ape Month concludes here at Monster Movie Kid and on the Classic Horrors Club Podcast, it’s time to wrap things up with a look at the final chapter in the recently reimagined franchise with War for the Planet of the Apes (2017).

Continuing on with the same story established in the first two chapters and a direct sequel to Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), our story begins some two years later. The Alpha-Omega militia has been on the hunt for Caesar and his band of apes. Caesar tries to show mercy, especially to a gorilla named Red that he remembers having pledged loyalty to the fallen Koba. Unfortunately, Red escapes with knowledge of where Caesar’s colony is in the forest. When the humans return led by the maniacal Colonel, the battle lines are drawn. Caesar’s wife Cornelia is killed along with his friend Blue Eyes. Caesar vows revenge, leaving the colony, who are headed to safety. Caesar is accompanied by Maurice, Rocket and Luca as they head to the human encampment to end the dispute once and for all.

Unfortunately, the colony is captured and enslaved while Caesar is captured as well and tortured. The Colonel has an impressive stronghold of men and women but Caesar discovers that another militia from the north is headed to confront him, disagreeing with his methods. Caesar also discovers the ALZ virus has mutated, leaving humans mute and mentally devolved. While Caesar feels defeated, Maurice and the others, including the comic relief of the film named Bad Ape and a young mute girl named Nova, are looking for ways to free the prisoners and lead them to a final confrontation and battle.

War for the Planet of the Apes is everything Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) wanted to be but never achieved. Due to the modern technology of CGI and a much bigger budget, this final film in the trilogy wraps up Caesar’s story in a glorious sendoff. Once again, Andy Serkis brings Ceasar to life as no other actor could and Woody Harrelson’s Colonel is the perfect villain, counterbalancing Caesar’s perennial hero status amongst the fans. Although the film is a little darker, both in theme and visually, I found myself enjoying it even more upon the recent revisit.   

As with the first two films in this trilogy, I highly recommend War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)!

While this story wrapped up the trilogy, a new direction has been set with the recent Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024), leaping forward several generations and continuing the saga of the apes with what’s left of humankind. The adventure will clearly continue for years to come.

A version of this article was originally published in August 2014.