Lon Chaney

Lon Chaney (1883-1930) in his favorite role, as Tito Beppi/Flik, the clown who loves the girl who loves someone else in, "Laugh, Clown, Laugh" (1928).

A thousand faces
speaking volumes without words.
Long live The Phantom!



THE EYES HAVE IT: Wires, that is. This is one of the few photos in which you can see how Chaney (in costume as Erik The Opera Ghost from the original 1925 movie production of "The Phantom of the Opera") achieved some of his characterizations. A performing arts genius, he is credited as being the inventor of special effects makeup.


"Lon Chaney could express with his whole body and a few gestures what pages of dialogue could not. This is one of the most compelling and emotionally exhausting scenes I've ever witnessed an actor perform." - Burt Lancaster

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This blog entry is nowhere near done. It is being added posthaste just in time for the actor's 128th birthday and will be expanded when I can give him the tribute he deserves. Happy Birthday, Lon, wherever you are.

The Phantom Stage

Part of the Paris Opera House set from the 1925 version of "The Phantom of the Opera," starring Lon Chaney. The set is preserved inside its original stage, a historical landmark, on the Universal Studios backlot.

Do I hear the wind
or the whisper of genius?
Echo the spirit.



The same piece of scenery (at right) as it appeared in the film.