The Unknown (1927)
Don't miss this startling spectacle!
On the lam, criminal Alonzo hides in the circus as The Armless Wonder – a performer who uses his feet to hurl knives. Alonzo keeps the arms he really has concealed to hide his identity. Meanwhile, ringmaster's daughter Nanon has a phobia of being touched by men, but is romantically pursued by not only Alonzo but the strongman Malabar. Alonzo's desperation to remain with Nanon will only end in tragedy.
Director: Tod Browning
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Romance, Horror
Runtime: 68 min
Release Date: May 29, 1927
Cast
- Lon Chaney - Alonzo
- Norman Kerry - Malabar
- Joan Crawford - Nanon Zanzi
- Nick De Ruiz - Antonio Zanzi
- John George - Cojo
- Frank Lanning - Costra
- Tom Amandares - Gypsy Running to Zanzi's Death Scene (uncredited)
- Margaret Bert - Fortune Teller (uncredited)
- Louise Emmons - Gypsy Woman (uncredited)
- Italia Frandi - Girl in Audience Flirting with Malabar (uncredited)
Screenplay
- Tod Browning (Story)
- Waldemar Young (Screenplay)
- Joseph Farnham
Cinematography: Merritt B. Gerstad
Editing: Harry Reynolds, Errol Taggart
Production: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Country: United States of America
Language: No Language
Budget: $217,000
Box Office: $847,000
Original Language: en
Themes
Mental Struggles and the Power of Love, Arranged Marriage and Struggle for Harmony, Moving Relationship Stories, Unexpected Love in Arranged Marriage
Keywords
circus, love, knife throwing, silent film, carny, psychotronic, armless, circus performer, horror romance
Trailer
The Unknown TrailerSimilar Movies
More Films by Director: Tod Browning
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is The Unknown about?
- On the lam, criminal Alonzo hides in the circus as The Armless Wonder – a performer who uses his feet to hurl knives. Alonzo keeps the arms he really has concealed to hide his identity. Meanwhile, ringmaster's daughter Nanon has a phobia of being touched by men, but is romantically pursued by not only Alonzo but the strongman Malabar. Alonzo's desperation to remain with Nanon will only end in tragedy.
- Who directed The Unknown?
- The Unknown was directed by Tod Browning.
- Who stars in The Unknown?
- The Unknown stars Lon Chaney, Norman Kerry, Joan Crawford, Nick De Ruiz, John George, Frank Lanning.
- How long is The Unknown?
- The Unknown has a runtime of 1h 8m (68 minutes).
- What genre is The Unknown?
- The Unknown is a Drama, Thriller, Romance, Horror film.
- What is the budget of The Unknown?
- The Unknown had a budget of $217,000.
- How much did The Unknown gross?
- The Unknown grossed $847,000 worldwide.
- Where was The Unknown produced?
- The Unknown was produced in United States of America.
- What are the themes of The Unknown?
- The themes of The Unknown include: Mental Struggles and the Power of Love, Arranged Marriage and Struggle for Harmony, Moving Relationship Stories, Unexpected Love in Arranged Marriage.