Tod Browning's film Freaks (which is currently streaming on HBO) was not his first foray into the world of "circus freaks." In 1927 he directed The Man of a Thousand Faces (and apparently feet as well) Lon Chaney in The Unknown. Also starring Joan Crawford, it is the a story of "Alonzo the Armless" a fugitive and "freak imposter" played by Chaney. On the run from the law, he joins the circus as an armless knife thrower (!) and works with Nanon (Joan Crawford) the circus player at whom he tosses knives (and even fires a gun) at with his feet. Nanon, it turns out has a fear of being "pawed" by men (we have every good reason to believe that she is living the horror of being a sex assault survivor). Alonzo falls for her, but of course he actually has arms, which he is secretly terrified she will discover. Meanwhile the circus strongman has also fallen for Nanon, whom she likes but fears being close to. The lengths to which Alonzo is willing to go to make sure that he and Nanon can live happily together is the true horror of the film.... I am sure one has a notion of where this is headed, even if you have not seen the film. The Unknown is more of a psychological fear drama, than a straight forward horror film. It certainly has no supernatural horrors. But, and it is an important "but," it counts as one of the very first body horror films. Many, if not most, more modern body horrors--everything from Eyes Without A Face, Cronenberg's The Fly to The Skin I Live In--contain strong stories of obsession that lead to various mutilations and horrific physical outcomes. The Unknown was one of the very first.
You have great GIFs for this post, and it makes me want to watch this spectacularly shocking film again. It’s been more than a few years since I’ve last seen it. Thanks!
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