Cast
Lon Chaney
as Alonzo
Norman Kerry
as Malabar
Joan Crawford
as Nanon Zanzi
Nick De Ruiz
as Antonio Zanzi
John George
as Cojo
Frank Lanning
as Costra
Tom Amandares
as Gypsy Running to Zanzi's Death Scene (uncredited)
Margaret Bert
as Fortune Teller (uncredited)
Louise Emmons
as Gypsy Woman (uncredited)
Italia Frandi
as Girl in Audience Flirting with Malabar (uncredited)
Movie Info & Details
Release Year1927
Runtime1h 08m
LanguageNo Language
CertificationNR
GenresDrama, Thriller, Romance
Votes217
DirectorTod Browning
WritersTod Browning, Waldemar Young, Joseph Farnham
TypeFeature Film
Rating7.6 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsThe Unknown
About The Unknown
On the lam, criminal Alonzo hides in the circus as The Armless Wonder—a performer who uses his feet to hurl knives. Alonzo keeps the arms he really has concealed to hide his identity. Meanwhile, ringmaster's daughter Nanon has a phobia of being touched by men, but is romantically pursued by not only Alonzo but the strongman Malabar. Alonzo's desperation to remain with Nanon will only end in tragedy.
Directed by Tod Browning, The Unknown leans on a strong ensemble — Lon Chaney, Norman Kerry, Joan Crawford — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1927.
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