Lon chaney man of a thousand faces book

Lon chaney s unique artistry in motion picrtures usa. Leonidas lon chaney 18831930, the man of a thousand faces was born on april fools day to a pair of deaf parents. Produced by universal, the studio for which chaney had become a major star in the phantom of the opera, the oscarnominated screenplay is more fanciful tribute than objective history. Many posters advertised it with the slogan, the man of a thousand faces is now the man of a thousand. This site went on line in 1996 and was previously maintained on an aol server.

When chaney was finished with the makeup, it was as if the hunchback of hugos book had walked directly off the pages. This boy in particular wants to be a young lon chaney, the man of a thousand faces. Directed by joseph pevney, the films cast included james cagney, dorothy malone, jane. The man behind the thousand faces and a thousand faces. If you care at all about silent pictures, about chaney, about bravura a.

The man behind the thousand faces hardcover january 1, 1997 by michael f. Lon chaney, the silent movie star and makeup artist, renowned for his various characterizations and celebrated for his horror films, becomes the subject of this documentary. His father, lon chaney, was known as the man of a thousand faces played by cagney in a biopic. He starred as an extra in westerns produced at universal city, and not long afterward was assigned to direct j. Lon chaney the man of a thousand faces american masters pbs. He starred in hundreds of films and his makeup skills would earn him the nickname, the man of a thousand faces. Lon chaney the man of a thousand faces biography by. Chaney granted few interviews during his lifetime, and this book assembles them into one special volume. What he had to say about his life, his career, and his motion pictures. T hey called lon chaney the man of a thousand faces, a phrase coined from the wide variety of roles he had assumed on the screen it was back in 1912 that chaney came to hollywood and began his motion picture career. Lon chaney s life was pretty interesting, though as with most films, novels, etc. In 1970, internationally renowned artist bill nelson created the lon chaney portfolio, an exquisitely rendered series of black and white illustrations devoted to hollywood s beloved man of a thousand faces. In 1957, chaney was the subject of a biopic titled man of a thousand faces, in which he was portrayed by james cagney.

As a result, he became adept at pantomime and dumb show at an early age, which evolved naturally into a professional acting career after the turn of the century. The mummy, dracula, frankenstein, the invisible man and the wolf man. In creating such memorable and iconic characters as erik, the phantom of the opera and quasimodo in the hunchback of notre dame, lon chaney would inspire makeup artists and visual effects pioneers for years to come. This is a congenial group where we share a bond in our admiration for lon chaney sr.

Lon chaney s unique artistry in motion pictures, is a worthy and muchwelcome companion volume to the authors first book. Like his other books, the boy of a thousand faces is about a boy who is obsessed with the supernatural. In his own words, presents the iconic horror film actor at his finest. Growing up with deaf parents, he learns what it is like to be different. The man behind the thousand faces usa uk a thousand faces. The man behind the thousand faces blake, michael f. Six months after the book came out, blake learned about a. Chaney was one of the last major stars to make a sound film. One of the greatest actors of the silent film era, lon chaney was notorious for his gift at transforming himself into whatever a specific role called for. I made my choice of film george waggners 1941 universal classic, the wolf man, which stars the younger chaney. He was one of the most versatile and powerful actors of early cinema. Lon chaney 18831930 known as the man of a thousand faces as he appears as mrs.

Lon chaney man of 1,000 faces public group facebook. But we, as a family, seemed to have the facility of making fun into fun, and tough into funit all added up to a century. Dubbed the man of a thousand faces, chaney was truly the king of makeup, which he did on his own. His second marriage proved to be much more stable and successful. The lon chaney season is at the national film theatre, london se1 0207928 3232, until december 29.

Also, the author is clearly eager to defend chaney against claims that he was a dick, so we only get interviews and reminiscences from his contemporaries that are complimentary. In 1930 he starred in a remake of his 1925 hit the unholy three. With man of a thousand faces, it is easy to see why the biopic story has continued to be one of the stronger genres of film to this day. Man of a thousand faces is a 1957 film detailing the life of silent movie actor lon chaney, in which the title role is played by james cagney. Lon chaney the man of a thousand faces is the biography of lon chaney, an american actor during the age of silent films. Lon chaney, also known as the man of a thousand faces or the master of horror, was one of the most versatile, influential and most gifted actors of the silent era. Okay, its a case of the title not matching the book. Man of a thousand faces 1957 man of a thousand faces was the publicity tagline given to lon chaney, the versatile silent character star known for the extremes he would endure in altering his physical appearance for a role.

Blakes book is by far the most complete and accurate documentation of chaneys colorful life and film career, and is highly recommended. To the lon chaneys a wall of faces once upon a screen. This book fills in gaps and is engaging i finished it in one sitting. Yet no one seemed to appreciate the characterization of lon chaney, jrs wolf man. Apparently chaney was a pretty private dude, so theres just not a lot of info about the man behind the thousand faces. The film is a largely fictionalized account, as chaney was notoriously private and hated the hollywood lifestyle. The life of this amazing, multitalented individual is finally revealed to us with lon chaney. Blakes second book on lon chaney, a thousand faces. Alice cooper johnny depp is the man of a thousand faces duration. The original man of a thousand faces, and one of the top stars of the silent age of hollywood, leonidas frank lon chaney april 1, 1883 august 26, 1930 had a brief but incredibly varied career born in colorado on april fools day to two deaf parents, chaney quickly developed a skill for pantomime. Leonidas frank lon chaney april 1, 1883 august 26, 1930 was an american stage and. The man of a thousand faces is an above average 1950s biopic distinguished by a sympathetic performance by james cagney as silent film star lon chaney. But of course, the more seasoned cinephile knows the elder chaney. He was a wellrespected actor who was also a skilled dancer and comedian.

A century it seems like a long time to the outside world, but to the enclosed group of chaneys it skipped by rather quickly. He is best remembered for his characterizations of tortured, often grotesque and afflicted characters, and his groundbreaking artistry with film makeup. The man behind the thousand faces was published in 1993. Lon chaney was one of the greatest actors of the silent screen, and perhaps. The chaney blogathon hosted by movies, silently and the last drivein, which is celebrating the careers of both lon chaney and lon chaney, jr. By 1923, chaney was known a the man of a thousand faces for his ability to transform himself into any type of character. The man behind the thousand faces paperback january 1, 1997 by michael f. Chaney dog av lungcancer, och begravdes i forest lawn memorial park cemetery, i glendale, kalifornien. As an actor, he puts that knowledge together with lots of makeup and talent to use playing a variety of strange, unusual characters, adopting their characteristics so thoroughly as to be called the man of a thousand faces. Man of a thousand faces film man of a thousand faces. Charming as this story is, i did wish for a little bit more substance to the story.

Six months after the book came out, blake learned about a cache of chaney material he hadnt known existed. One early hollywood acquaintance summed up his expressive features simply. In 1970, internationally renowned artist bill nelson created the lon chaney portfolio, an exquisitely rendered series of black and white illustrations devoted to. Man of a thousand faces is a 1957 film, a largely fictionalized biopic of the life of silent movie actor lon chaney, in which the title role is played by james cagney, including his relationships with his neurotic first wife cleva creighton dorothy malone, his second wife hazel hastings jane greer, his son lon chaney jr. Kevin brownlows documentary lon chaney a thousand faces is screened on december 3.