559:
670:
Cagney, it is difficult for him to remove all the familiar Cagney cockiness and pugnacity from the role. Even so, there is an abundance of tenderness, sensitivity and pride in his creation of the driven actor. This is the heart of the film. ... Joseph Pevney's direction has a curious affection for clichés, but Mr. Cagney rises above it. He etches a personality.
334:
Cleva enters the dressing room to find Lon with his hands on Hazel's shoulders, assuming that he is having an affair. She leaves home and vanishes. Days later, while Lon is performing, Cleva walks on stage in a deranged state and swallows a bottle of acid, permanently damaging her vocal cords. She is
29:
619:
Creative license was employed in the writing of the screenplay, and many incidents were sanitized and fictionalized. Lon Chaney had stated in interviews at the time that he did not want
Creighton (later Lon Chaney Jr.) to become an actor as is depicted in the film's conclusion. At the time of his
326:
Hazel
Hastings, who helps care for his baby. After Creighton becomes sick at the theater, Lon complains to Cleva's employer, who terminates her. When Cleva hears the news, she screams and Bill, a wealthy patron whom she has been dating, enters the dressing room. Lon tells Bill that he is there to
669:
With not too much help from the screenplay, Mr. Cagney none the less gives a stirring sense of the actor's devotion to his first wife, to his infant son, to his aging parents and to his profession, which he pursues through a hard career in vaudeville to eventual stardom in
Hollywood. Being Mr.
367:
As his career soars, Lon faces personal challenges. Although he marries Hazel and regains custody of
Creighton, Cleva reappears, seeking to spend time with her son. Creighton, who had been told that his mother was dead, leaves to stay with Cleva, angry with Lon about the deception.
318:
When Cleva learns that Lon's parents are deaf, she fears that her unborn child will also be deaf. Months later, Cleva births a son named
Creighton, who is not deaf. However, the Chaneys' marriage erodes over the next few years. Cleva takes a job as a singer in a nightclub.
330:
Lon returns to the theater, where he discovers Hazel being accosted in the corridor. Lon punches the attacker and sees that the man, who has two wooden legs, is Carl
Hastings, Hazel's former husband, who is consumed with bitterness as the result of his accident.
624:
company. When the company failed, he began to accept film work and was billed under his birth name. It was only in the mid-1930s that he allowed himself (at the insistence of film producers) to be billed as Lon Chaney Jr., but he was ashamed of the name.
377:(1930) and is diagnosed with bronchial cancer. Creighton reconciles with his father and they take a fishing trip to Lon's cabin. Soon after, Lon collapses and is returned home to live his final days.
1198:
315:
with his wife Cleva. Lon quits the show and Cleva announces that she is pregnant. Lon is happy and tells Cleva that he has been hired by the famous comedy team of Kolb and Dill for an upcoming show.
1183:
384:, he adds "Jr." to his own name on his makeup box, indicating his wish that his son should follow in his footsteps. Creighton leaves with the box, ready to begin his film career as
687:
338:
The state takes custody of
Creighton as they deem his home situation to be unsuitable, causing Lon to react angrily. On the advice of press agent Clarence Locan, Lon moves to
1213:
643:
and other makeup, but Chaney took great pride in his ability to distort his appearance using minimal makeup, which still allowed for a great deal of facial expression.
580:
1148:
292:
1173:
1158:
1143:
853:
354:
1188:
1203:
1153:
380:
On his deathbed, Lon, unable to speak, uses signs to express his love for his friends and family and to ask for forgiveness. With a stick of
628:
In the film, Chaney dies at home while with family and friends, but in reality, Chaney died in his hospital room after a throat hemorrhage.
360:
955:
1168:
606:
639:
differs significantly from his original makeup for the films. Cagney's face appears partially immobile behind an elaborate full
1163:
584:
1208:
86:
373:
1178:
846:
348:
1099:
939:
1193:
963:
1115:
923:
569:
138:
588:
573:
153:
1043:
947:
839:
678:, the film has an aggregate score of 89% based on nine critical reviews, eight positive and one negative.
339:
58:
1107:
1067:
875:
995:
891:
66:
346:, Lon becomes a successful bit player and later takes feature roles. Lon is cast in the silent film
1138:
1011:
1003:
979:
907:
510:
476:
451:
296:
270:
1051:
760:
662:
653:
288:
809:
76:
915:
899:
506:
418:
825:
775:
1083:
1035:
883:
675:
658:
467:
434:
280:
275:
1027:
1019:
931:
665:
as "immensely flavorsome and exciting" and strongly praised James Cagney's performance:
537:
482:
455:
406:
385:
343:
266:
254:
100:
1132:
987:
971:
863:
494:
445:
250:
118:
48:
37:
335:
hospitalized but flees once again. The scandal destroys Lon's career in vaudeville.
621:
531:
527:
521:
461:
439:
430:
397:
284:
243:
96:
831:
745:
1091:
1075:
720:
558:
488:
381:
327:
collect his wife, causing Bill to look at Cleva with contempt as he walks away.
323:
235:
33:
640:
424:
412:
401:
312:
308:
262:
258:
239:
108:
104:
515:
62:
820:
501:
128:
814:
803:
758:
Crowther, Bosley (1957-08-14). "Screen: 'Man of a.Thousand Faces'".
28:
835:
552:
234:
is a 1957 American dark dramatic film detailing the life of
287:, who soon left acting and eventually became the head of
1199:
Biographical films about film directors and producers
688:
List of films featuring the deaf and hard of hearing
342:to appear in motion pictures. After starting as an
219:
209:
201:
191:
168:
160:
144:
134:
124:
114:
92:
82:
72:
54:
44:
21:
661:described the scenes depicting the early days at
291:. The film's four writers were nominated for the
1184:Films with screenplays by Robert Wright Campbell
746:http://www.classic-monsters.com/lon-chaney-jr/
352:(1919) and he becomes a star in such films as
847:
620:father's death, Creighton Chaney worked at a
8:
587:. Unsourced material may be challenged and
854:
840:
832:
322:Lon has developed a close friendship with
293:Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay
273:, later the star of the television series
27:
18:
1214:English-language biographical drama films
607:Learn how and when to remove this message
699:
631:The depiction of Chaney's makeup for
7:
585:adding citations to reliable sources
543:Jerry Hartleben as Lon Chaney as boy
473:Dennis Rush as Creighton Chaney at 4
253:, the film's cast includes Cagney,
14:
1149:American biographical drama films
721:"THE 30TH ACADEMY AWARDS - 1958"
557:
1174:Films directed by Joseph Pevney
1159:Biographical films about actors
1144:1950s biographical drama films
371:Lon becomes ill on the set of
1:
1189:Films scored by Frank Skinner
651:In a contemporary review for
1204:1950s English-language films
1154:American Sign Language films
674:At review-aggregation site
637:The Hunchback of Notre Dame
540:as Miracle Man (uncredited)
355:The Hunchback of Notre Dame
1230:
307:In the early 1900s, actor
16:1957 film by Joseph Pevney
964:It Happens Every Thursday
870:
776:"Man of a Thousand Faces"
464:as Creighton Chaney at 13
177:August 13, 1957
26:
1169:Universal Pictures films
1116:The Night of the Grizzly
633:The Phantom of the Opera
485:as Dr. J. Wilson Shields
470:as Creighton Chaney at 8
361:The Phantom of the Opera
1060:Man of a Thousand Faces
816:Man of a Thousand Faces
805:Man of a Thousand Faces
706:"Top Grosses of 1957",
231:Man of a Thousand Faces
164:Universal-International
154:Universal-International
22:Man of a Thousand Faces
1164:Films about filmmaking
1044:Tammy and the Bachelor
948:Just Across the Street
672:
215:American Sign Language
1108:Portrait of a Mobster
1068:Twilight for the Gods
956:Back to God's Country
667:
1209:1950s American films
996:Six Bridges to Cross
710:, 8 January 1958: 30
581:improve this section
1012:Female on the Beach
908:The Lady from Texas
744:Classic monsters. "
549:Historical accuracy
511:George Loane Tucker
297:30th Academy Awards
1179:Films about actors
1052:The Midnight Story
862:Films directed by
761:The New York Times
663:Universal Pictures
654:The New York Times
289:Paramount Pictures
223:$ 2.4 million (US)
59:R. Wright Campbell
1126:
1125:
924:Meet Danny Wilson
617:
616:
609:
227:
226:
77:Ralph Wheelwright
1221:
1194:1957 drama films
916:The Strange Door
856:
849:
842:
833:
791:
790:
788:
786:
772:
766:
765:
755:
749:
742:
736:
735:
733:
731:
717:
711:
704:
612:
605:
601:
598:
592:
561:
553:
524:as Comedy Waiter
518:as Comedy Waiter
507:Philip Van Zandt
479:as Carl Hastings
456:Creighton Chaney
448:as Carrie Chaney
419:Marjorie Rambeau
374:The Unholy Three
283:is portrayed by
184:
182:
31:
19:
1229:
1228:
1224:
1223:
1222:
1220:
1219:
1218:
1129:
1128:
1127:
1122:
1084:The Crowded Sky
884:Undercover Girl
866:
860:
800:
795:
794:
784:
782:
780:Rotten tomatoes
774:
773:
769:
757:
756:
752:
748:" Lon Chaney Jr
743:
739:
729:
727:
719:
718:
714:
705:
701:
696:
684:
676:Rotten Tomatoes
659:Bosley Crowther
649:
613:
602:
596:
593:
578:
562:
551:
546:
468:Rickie Sorensen
435:Irving Thalberg
393:
349:The Miracle Man
305:
281:Irving Thalberg
276:77 Sunset Strip
214:
194:
187:
180:
178:
171:
156:
149:
147:
107:
103:
99:
65:
61:
40:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1227:
1225:
1217:
1216:
1211:
1206:
1201:
1196:
1191:
1186:
1181:
1176:
1171:
1166:
1161:
1156:
1151:
1146:
1141:
1131:
1130:
1124:
1123:
1121:
1120:
1112:
1104:
1100:The Plunderers
1096:
1088:
1080:
1072:
1064:
1056:
1048:
1040:
1032:
1028:Away All Boats
1024:
1020:Congo Crossing
1016:
1008:
1000:
992:
984:
976:
968:
960:
952:
944:
940:Because of You
936:
932:Flesh and Fury
928:
920:
912:
904:
896:
888:
880:
871:
868:
867:
861:
859:
858:
851:
844:
836:
830:
829:
826:Review of film
823:
812:
799:
798:External links
796:
793:
792:
767:
750:
737:
712:
698:
697:
695:
692:
691:
690:
683:
680:
648:
645:
615:
614:
565:
563:
556:
550:
547:
545:
544:
541:
538:Forrest Taylor
535:
525:
519:
513:
504:
500:Danny Beck as
498:
492:
486:
483:Jack Albertson
480:
474:
471:
465:
459:
449:
443:
442:as Mrs. Chaney
437:
428:
422:
416:
410:
407:Dorothy Malone
404:
394:
392:
389:
386:Lon Chaney Jr.
311:is working in
304:
301:
255:Dorothy Malone
225:
224:
221:
217:
216:
211:
207:
206:
203:
199:
198:
195:
192:
189:
188:
186:
185:
174:
172:
169:
166:
165:
162:
161:Distributed by
158:
157:
152:
150:
145:
142:
141:
136:
132:
131:
126:
122:
121:
116:
115:Cinematography
112:
111:
101:Dorothy Malone
94:
90:
89:
84:
80:
79:
74:
70:
69:
56:
52:
51:
46:
42:
41:
32:
24:
23:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1226:
1215:
1212:
1210:
1207:
1205:
1202:
1200:
1197:
1195:
1192:
1190:
1187:
1185:
1182:
1180:
1177:
1175:
1172:
1170:
1167:
1165:
1162:
1160:
1157:
1155:
1152:
1150:
1147:
1145:
1142:
1140:
1137:
1136:
1134:
1118:
1117:
1113:
1110:
1109:
1105:
1102:
1101:
1097:
1094:
1093:
1089:
1086:
1085:
1081:
1078:
1077:
1073:
1070:
1069:
1065:
1062:
1061:
1057:
1054:
1053:
1049:
1046:
1045:
1041:
1038:
1037:
1033:
1030:
1029:
1025:
1022:
1021:
1017:
1014:
1013:
1009:
1006:
1005:
1001:
998:
997:
993:
990:
989:
988:3 Ring Circus
985:
982:
981:
977:
974:
973:
972:Desert Legion
969:
966:
965:
961:
958:
957:
953:
950:
949:
945:
942:
941:
937:
934:
933:
929:
926:
925:
921:
918:
917:
913:
910:
909:
905:
902:
901:
897:
894:
893:
889:
886:
885:
881:
878:
877:
873:
872:
869:
865:
864:Joseph Pevney
857:
852:
850:
845:
843:
838:
837:
834:
827:
824:
822:
818:
817:
813:
811:
807:
806:
802:
801:
797:
781:
777:
771:
768:
764:. p. 21.
763:
762:
754:
751:
747:
741:
738:
726:
722:
716:
713:
709:
703:
700:
693:
689:
686:
685:
681:
679:
677:
671:
666:
664:
660:
656:
655:
646:
644:
642:
638:
634:
629:
626:
623:
611:
608:
600:
590:
586:
582:
576:
575:
571:
566:This section
564:
560:
555:
554:
548:
542:
539:
536:
533:
529:
526:
523:
520:
517:
514:
512:
508:
505:
503:
499:
496:
495:Clarence Kolb
493:
490:
487:
484:
481:
478:
475:
472:
469:
466:
463:
460:
457:
453:
450:
447:
446:Jeanne Cagney
444:
441:
438:
436:
432:
429:
426:
423:
420:
417:
414:
411:
408:
405:
403:
399:
396:
395:
390:
388:
387:
383:
378:
376:
375:
369:
365:
363:
362:
357:
356:
351:
350:
345:
341:
336:
332:
328:
325:
320:
316:
314:
310:
302:
300:
298:
294:
290:
286:
282:
278:
277:
272:
269:is played by
268:
264:
260:
256:
252:
251:Joseph Pevney
247:
245:
241:
237:
233:
232:
222:
218:
212:
208:
205:United States
204:
200:
196:
190:
176:
175:
173:
167:
163:
159:
155:
151:
143:
140:
139:Frank Skinner
137:
133:
130:
127:
123:
120:
119:Russell Metty
117:
113:
110:
106:
102:
98:
95:
91:
88:
87:Robert Arthur
85:
81:
78:
75:
71:
68:
64:
60:
57:
55:Screenplay by
53:
50:
49:Joseph Pevney
47:
43:
39:
38:Reynold Brown
35:
30:
25:
20:
1114:
1106:
1098:
1090:
1082:
1074:
1066:
1059:
1058:
1050:
1042:
1034:
1026:
1018:
1010:
1002:
994:
986:
980:Yankee Pasha
978:
970:
962:
954:
946:
938:
930:
922:
914:
906:
898:
890:
882:
874:
815:
804:
785:November 13,
783:. Retrieved
779:
770:
759:
753:
740:
728:. Retrieved
724:
715:
707:
702:
673:
668:
652:
650:
636:
632:
630:
627:
622:water-heater
618:
603:
597:January 2024
594:
579:Please help
567:
534:(uncredited)
532:Harry Earles
528:Billy Curtis
522:Snub Pollard
491:as Pa Chaney
462:Robert Lyden
440:Celia Lovsky
431:Robert Evans
398:James Cagney
379:
372:
370:
366:
359:
353:
347:
337:
333:
329:
321:
317:
306:
285:Robert Evans
274:
267:Chaney's son
249:Directed by
248:
244:James Cagney
242:, played by
230:
229:
228:
193:Running time
170:Release date
97:James Cagney
1092:Cash McCall
1076:Torpedo Run
489:Nolan Leary
477:Simon Scott
458:as an adult
452:Roger Smith
427:as Clarence
382:greasepaint
358:(1923) and
324:chorus girl
271:Roger Smith
236:silent film
83:Produced by
67:Ben Roberts
45:Directed by
34:Film poster
1139:1957 films
1133:Categories
828:at Variety
725:Oscars.org
694:References
641:latex mask
497:as himself
425:Jim Backus
413:Jane Greer
402:Lon Chaney
313:vaudeville
309:Lon Chaney
263:Jim Backus
259:Jane Greer
240:Lon Chaney
220:Box office
181:1957-08-13
146:Production
109:Jim Backus
105:Jane Greer
900:Air Cadet
876:Shakedown
730:31 August
657:, critic
647:Reception
568:does not
516:Hank Mann
340:Hollywood
210:Languages
125:Edited by
63:Ivan Goff
1036:Istanbul
892:Iron Man
821:AllMovie
682:See also
502:Max Dill
415:as Hazel
409:as Cleva
364:(1925).
197:122 min.
135:Music by
129:Ted Kent
93:Starring
73:Story by
1004:Foxfire
708:Variety
589:removed
574:sources
421:as Gert
295:at the
213:English
202:Country
179: (
148:company
1119:(1966)
1111:(1961)
1103:(1960)
1095:(1960)
1087:(1960)
1079:(1958)
1071:(1958)
1063:(1957)
1055:(1957)
1047:(1957)
1039:(1957)
1031:(1956)
1023:(1956)
1015:(1955)
1007:(1955)
999:(1955)
991:(1954)
983:(1954)
975:(1953)
967:(1953)
959:(1953)
951:(1952)
943:(1952)
935:(1952)
927:(1952)
919:(1951)
911:(1951)
903:(1951)
895:(1951)
887:(1950)
879:(1950)
279:, and
238:actor
344:extra
810:IMDb
787:2022
732:2017
635:and
572:any
570:cite
391:Cast
303:Plot
261:and
819:at
808:at
583:by
530:as
509:as
454:as
433:as
400:as
36:by
1135::
778:.
723:.
299:.
265:.
257:,
246:.
855:e
848:t
841:v
789:.
734:.
610:)
604:(
599:)
595:(
591:.
577:.
183:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
