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6.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Unholy Three remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
So, The Unholy Three from 1930. Is it something to watch today? Absolutely, if you have a soft spot for classic cinema, especially Lon Chaney. If you’re into his whole “man of a thousand faces” thing, you gotta see this. But if you need fast pacing and modern dialogue, you’ll probably find yourself a bit bored. This one’s for the patient crowd, the ones who appreciate a good old-school creepy vibe. 🕰️
Chaney plays Professor Echo, a ventriloquist. He leads this, well, *unholy* trio of crooks. His big trick? He dresses up as an old granny running a pet shop. And he sells these "talking" birds to rich folks. What he’s really doing, though, is casing their houses for future burglaries. It’s such a strange, clever setup.
The whole disguise thing, it’s something else. Chaney, he just sinks into these roles. The way he moves, the voice he uses for the old woman. You almost forget it’s him, then you remember it's Lon Chaney and you're like, *whoa*. The birds, too. When they "talk," it’s not super slick. You can kinda tell it’s him, but that’s part of the charm. It’s less about perfect illusion and more about the audacity of the con.
The other members of his crew, they're just as wild. There’s Hercules, the strongman, who’s all muscles and not a lot of smarts. Then there's Tweedledee, a little person played by Harry Earles, who you might remember from Freaks. Earles’ character here is just… *unsettling*. He's got this baby voice, but he’s really got a mean streak. The dynamic between these three, it's pretty wild. They bicker and push each other around.
One scene that sticks with me is when Echo, as the granny, is in a rich lady's house. He’s making the bird squawk, saying things like "You're a rich old lady!" and "I want your jewels!" The way the rich lady, she just *buys it*. It’s almost comical. You see the gears turning in Echo's head, watching her every move. It’s not subtle, but it works for the era.
The movie, it feels very much of its time. The sound quality isn't always top-notch; sometimes it sounds like they're talking into a tin can. But you get used to it. The pauses in dialogue can feel a bit long, like everyone’s waiting for their cue. It's a reminder of how new sound was to films back then.
There's this part where Tweedledee is just smashing things in a fit of rage. It’s a bit over the top, sure, but it gives you a real sense of how volatile he is. The sheer aggression coming from such a small figure is really quite effective. It makes you feel a little squirmy in your seat. 😬
The plot moves along, but it’s not exactly a thrill-a-minute ride. It takes its time. You watch them plan, execute, and then deal with the fallout. The ending, without giving anything away, has a certain kind of poetic justice to it. Or maybe it’s just messy. Depends on how you look at it.
I found myself thinking about Chaney's commitment to these grotesque or unusual characters. He always went all in. Here, even with a speaking role, he doesn't hold back on the physical transformation. That’s what makes him so watchable, even after all these years. He's not just acting; he's *becoming* the character.
It’s a curious film. Not perfect, definitely a product of its age. But it’s got that classic Chaney charm. Worth seeking out if you're a fan of early talkies or just want to see a truly unique performance.
IMDb —
1919
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