Hollywood legend, Lon Chaney, the "Man of a Thousand Faces," combined an innovative mastery of theatrical makeup and riveting performances to create some of the most grotesque, horrific, and unforgettable characters of all time. Born in 1883 to deaf parents, Chaney developed into a gifted mime and by age 19 was touring with top vaudeville troupes. From 1912-1917 he worked steadily at Universal, where his makeup skills enabled him to completely alter his appearance and land a wide variety of bit-parts. In 1919, Chaney's portrayal of "The Frog" in The Miracle Man launched him to the top ranks of stardom. He will always be best remembered for his iconic roles in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) and The Phantom of The Opera (1925). Some of his other important films include He Who Gets Slapped (1924), The Unholy Three (1925) and London After Midnight (1927). Tragically, he developed lung cancer and passed away in 1930. He is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and his image graces two U.S. postage stamps.
The Light Of Faith (1922, B&W, Silent): A thief steals the Holy Grail in an attempt to heal a beautiful dying girl who has moved into his tenement. The Light of Faith is a three-reel condensed version of The Light In The Dark. Stars Lon Chaney, Hope Hampton; directed by Clarence Brown.
By The Sun's Rays (1914, B&W, Silent): A mining detective must ferret out an insider who is tipping off a gang of thieves with a schedule of the company's gold shipments. By The Sun's Rays is notable for being the oldest surviving film featuring Lon Chaney. Stars Lon Chaney, M.J. MacQuarrie; directed by Charles Giblyn.
BONUS: MIDNIGHT AT THE OLD MILL (1916) with Ham & Bud.