The Unknown cover art

The Unknown Details

1927 Certificate TBC
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 30 members

Alonzo is an apparently armless knife thrower who uses his feet to encircle Estrellita with blades. Zanzi is killed by Alonzo (who really does have arms). Estrellita allows herself to fall in love with Alonzo (she fears men's arms), so he goes to a hospital and has his amputated. Meantime Malabar cures Estrellita of her fear of .. Read more

Starring Lon Chaney, Norman Kerry, Joan Crawford, Nick De Ruiz
Director Tod Browning
Genres Drama

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The Unknown cover art

The Unknown

Alonzo is an apparently armless knife thrower who uses his feet to encircle Estrellita with blades. Zanzi is killed by Alonzo (who really does have arms). Estrellita allows herself to fall in love with Alonzo (she fears men's arms), so he goes to a hospital and has his amputated. Meantime Malabar cures Estrellita of her fear of men's arms, so Alonzo tries to have him killed during a circus act.

Starring Lon Chaney, Norman Kerry, Joan Crawford, Nick De Ruiz
Director Tod Browning
Certificate Certificate TBC
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: not available
Production year: 1927
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (2) of The Unknown

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  • 4 stars out of 5

    Single-minded in its brutality, perversity and odd shock value, Tod Browning's Freudian nightmare is the most accomplished and morbid melodrama the Master of Silent Macabre ever directed. Lon Chaney straps his arms down with a painful harness as Alonzo the Armless Wonder, a circus performer who throws knives with his feet. It's when he falls in love with Joan Crawford who has a fear of being touched that murder, amputation and obsession come under the dark carnival spotlight. A fascinating silent classic, it still appals because of its sadomasochistic and devious tone — two Browning staples brought powerfully to the foreground in this perfectly crafted and warped passion play.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • Weird melodrama which even this contortionist star can't save.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of The Unknown

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  • Rated - 4 stars

    the man of a thousand faces v's joan crawford

    lon chaney plays an armless knife thrower in the circus. joan crawford is afraid of any mans touch and so feels safe with him, he falls in love with joan, but she ends up falling for the strong man. trouble ensues.

      • A customer from stirlingshire, scotland
      • Posted 14 Jan 2007 16:26

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30 Member ratings
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  • 70
4
  • 60
1
  • 50
1
  • 40
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  • 30
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  • 20
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  • 10
2

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    • The Unknown
      Alonzo is an apparently armless knife thrower who uses his feet to encircle Estrellita with blades. Zanzi is killed by Alonzo (who really does have arms). Estrellita allows herself to fall in love with Alonzo (she fears men's arms), so he goes to a hospital and has his amputated. Meantime Malabar ...