The Unknown (Browning, 1927) June 20, 2007
Posted by mrspeel in : Movies , trackback
This is my second Browning film to date, and already I’m getting a feel for his films. At least in his films set in a circus setting, like The Unknown or the better known Freaks his films are misinterpreted as horrors. While they have some of the elements, at the core most of them are love stories above else. The love isn’t even necessarily twisted or grotesque, rather obsessive or more simply misunderstood and difficult. The characters in his films are
outcasts in the strictest sense of the word. Without undermining or truly exploiting his characters, Browning paints a portrait of a cruel world, as well as universally expressing the fears and obssesions of the everyday man.Without spoiling too much, the film stars Lon Chaney as an armless knife thrower who is obssesively and madly in love with Estrellita (Joan Crawford). He would do anything to win her love, and her pathological fear of men’s arms (the film subtly suggests her father molests her) seemed to put him at a romantic advantage. He has a secret though that could ruin his chances forever; he isn’t really armless. The film feels very much a precursor to Freaks for this reason. We have this man who in effect has chosen a lifestyle that serves to ostracize him from society. He has his reasons (I won’t delve into it so as to leave some surprise), but overall he adapts quite well to his lifestyle. Only Lon Chaney could have played this role, he truly is “The Man of a Thousand Faces”, and this film puts on display his transformative powers. Not only that, but he may be one of the most emotive silent film actor I’ve seen. There is nothing over the top about his performance, and it is so sincere the audience sympathisizes with him despite what we know about his character. He serves as a representation of the outcast, but as I mentioned earlier also the “every man”.
Alonzo is a fascinating character, and his love for Estrillita is incredibly sincere. His devotion to her runs so deep, that it reminds me of Heathcliff’s love for Cathy in Wuthering Heights, but only one way. As with the novel, one wonders if it even can be called love anymore, because of how much hate it breeds. Alonzo’s “love” can be seen in the same way, because he hurts more people (including Estrillita and himself) through his “love”, his obssesive brand of adoration brings no good to the world. Furthermore, his love can be better described as lust. He doesn’t mention wanting to be with her always, or live with her or take care of her, his emotions and focus is put on their wedding night. Partially because it’s a concern to him, but even before this particular thought occurs to him it’s his primary goal. This though is matched with the more than just lustful jealousy, but a drive to commit actions that are far beyond simple physical attraction.
Browning had worked in a circus for part of his life, and it no doubt had a great impact on his films. They are though, somewhat products of their time for this reason. While the circus still exists today, it’s under a very different incarnation that what is presented here. As a backdrop for psychological or thrilling dramas it can’t exist in a modern world, except as fantasy or as a period piece. The closest thing in recent years to bring back this orgy of misfits, criminals and poverty is HBO’s Carnivale a show I’ve unfortunately yet to see, although I hear good things.
The Unknown is one of the great, and darkest silents. Only running at about 50 minutes (at least another ten are unfortunately lost forever), it doesn’t have superfluous moment and literally flies by. Not one to miss, it’s available on DVD as part of TCM’s Lon Chaney Collection that also includes The Ace of Hearts and Laugh Clown Laugh. You can also check the TCM schedule for showtimes.
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