Do you prefer Lon Chaney straight or in disguise?

[alistairw]

I've been watching a lot of LC films lately. I know he is the Man of 1000 faces but truthfully I prefer him in films such as Tell it to the Marines and While the City Sleeps where he uses his own. Apart from the obligatory Phantom the only costume film of his which I really enjoy ( as opposed to admire such as The Unknown) is Mr Wu.

Any thoughts?

[Lokke Heiss]

A lot of people agree with you...I think if he'd lived longer, he would have easily moved over to character roles similar to what happened to Spencer Tracy when he got older. After watching him for years in his makeup roles, watching him in Tell it to the Marines was a real pleasure.

[entredeuxguerres]

Straight--absolutely. (Though I love his witch-doctor outfit in Zanzibar.)

[telical]

I really wouldn't have to chose between either. I like the Hunchback role a lot, but also
love the straight roles. To omit that Quasimodo role would omit a role with so much
pathos, that I think it would take something away from his career. His career is larger
than life, so I realize he could stand on his own without that role very easily.

[alistairw]

Can someone with the remit please delete the duplicate thread which has somehow appeared on
this topic.

[Changsham]

He is very striking without makeup especially when he combines his natural looks with menace and physical disabilty like in THE UNKNOWN and WEST OF ZANZIBAR.

[Micromegas]

Hmm. Tough one. I think that he's great without any disguises. But in general, I'd say that I prefer him in one of his many faces. Depends tho'. Really to answer this, I'd have to rate the performances one-by-one.

Steve

[syd]

Disguise, of course.

I imagine Lon Chaney would've wanted
his audience to like his "faces" better
than his roles that required little or
no make-up. They were labor intensive to
apply and Chaney had no previous knowlege
to draw from other than stage make-up
which is different than film make-up.

[drednm]

Neither.