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Lon Chaney Mystery Photo

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 5:00 pm
by bobfells
I'm not trying to start a series here but I just obtained some negatives that aren't identified and I can't place the film this photo comes from:
Image

Your assistance is appreciated as always!

Re: Lon Chaney Mystery Photo

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 7:29 pm
by Little Caesar
The Unknown? Just a guess (I remember he wore a hat similar to that in that movie).

Re: Lon Chaney Mystery Photo

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:06 pm
by Gagman 66
Bob,

It could be from WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS (1928).

Re: Lon Chaney Mystery Photo

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 6:44 am
by Scoundrel
THE SHOCK (1923) ...?

Re: Lon Chaney Mystery Photo

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 7:37 am
by Brooksie
Perhaps `Outside the Law"?

Re: Lon Chaney Mystery Photo

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:18 am
by CoffeeDan
I dunno. I have a sneaking suspicion it's from one of Chaney's lost Universal films . . .

Calling Michael F. Blake!

Re: Lon Chaney Mystery Photo

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 2:33 pm
by bobfells
I'm trying to locate every Chaney photo I have in books, etc, including Michael Blake's Chaney books. I too think the photo is from one of the Universals from the early 20s. Here it is again with a coat of fresh paint. Be careful, it's not dry yet:
Image

Re: Lon Chaney Mystery Photo

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 2:50 pm
by FrankFay
It's from THE UNHOLY THREE- evidently Chaney forgot to take off his Mrs O'Grady makeup.

Re: Lon Chaney Mystery Photo

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 3:01 pm
by boblipton
Actually, in the colored version, he looks like Buster Keaton ca. 1945.

Bob

Re: Lon Chaney Mystery Photo

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 3:04 pm
by FrankFay
boblipton wrote:Actually, in the colored version, he looks like Buster Keaton ca. 1945.

Bob
Keaton also looked as if they'd painted him for a drag act but forgot the dress.

Re: Lon Chaney Mystery Photo

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 3:18 pm
by Robert Israel Music
Hello Bob. I would wager to say that the photo is taken from THE SHOCK (1923). If you look to the lower right of the picture, you can barely make out Chaney's left hand holding what appears to be a crutch. Also, compare your photo with this one and notice his hat.

Image
Image

I suspect that Jon Mirsalis or Michael Blake could make a definitive statement.

Robert Israel

Re: Lon Chaney Mystery Photo

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 3:28 pm
by FrankFay
It looks possible. It could also be a non specific publicity shot take around the same time.

Re: Lon Chaney Mystery Photo

Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 7:40 am
by bobfells
Quote: Robert Israel wrote "I would wager to say that the photo is taken from THE SHOCK (1923). If you look to the lower right of the picture, you can barely make out Chaney's left hand holding what appears to be a crutch. Also, compare your photo with this one and notice his hat."

Robert, by George, I think you've correctly identified the still. I'm going to check my dvd of THE SHOCK (with your great music) to see if that shot is in the film itself. Thanks very much!

Re: Lon Chaney Mystery Photo

Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 7:53 am
by sepiatone
I wonder if it could be from the same film as this 'mystery' photo, undated/?
http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo ... -in-makeup" target="_blank

Re: Lon Chaney Mystery Photo

Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 3:46 pm
by Scoundrel
I'm sorry, I must have missed something.

Who was the first on the board to identify this as from THE SHOCK...?

Re: Lon Chaney Mystery Photo

Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 3:59 pm
by bobfells
Scoundrel wrote:I'm sorry, I must have missed something.

Who was the first on the board to identify this as from THE SHOCK...?
You asked if the photo is from THE SHOCK, which is different from declaring that it is from THE SHOCK. However, just so there's no hard feelings you will receive a year's free subscription to the Arliss Archives. :)