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.

Burt Mustin

A LATE BLOOMER: Burt Mustin (1884-1977) began acting professionally at age 67. In his 25-year career, he appeared in nearly 400 television shows, 70 movies and dozens of commercials.

Salesman turned actor.
If you wonder where he's now,
he went that-a way.



While attending Pennsylvania Military College, Mustin served as goalie for the school's hockey team. He graduated in 1903.


Although he played many character parts, Mustin always considered himself the "He Went That-a Way" Guy. Here he is as a geriatric Kimba of the Jungle in a 1967 episode of "The Monkees."


One of Mustin's most famous roles was that of Mr. Quigley on "All in the Family." The show's producers paired him with daffy and darling Ruth McDevitt, another popular senior performer.

Shortly after his 92nd birthday, Mustin made a memorable appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." He passed away 10 months later from natural causes.

Detective Robert Goren

HOLD THAT POSE: Actor Vincent D'Onofrio played the ultimate crime-solver in the award-winning police drama, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent."

Quirky super cop.
When he bends at right angles,
you're guilty as charged.





After nine seasons, Goren is moving on. D'Onofrio has passed his role as leading man to veteran performer Jeff Goldblum who plays Detective Zach Nichols, a cerebral and efficient cop with his own set of idiosyncrasies.

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

THE DEMENTED RECLUSE: Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond making her final descent into her imaginary close-up and madness. This scene, more than any other, has come to represent the sometimes tragic downside of fame lost.

The breathing waxworks —
when fallen stars dim to shells
of their former selves.



The scene that inspired the haiku, although I'd never consider Keaton nor Swanson as has-beens. In fact, observe how, even with such a minor part, Keaton works the shot and steals viewer attention with nothing more than a brief facial expression.


Norma Desmond's famous happy ending.


The "Sunset Boulevard" movie trailer.


One of Comedienne Carol Burnett's zany spoofs as "Nora" Desmond. (This is live TV. Notice how you can see the set brace during the two-shot at the door.)

Benicio Del Toro

THE EYES HAVE IT: He's played kidnappers, killers, a revolutionary and, most recently, a werewolf. But underneath it all lies a kind, polite, soft-spoken art and music lover who's afraid of heights.

His menacing gaze
gets him cast as "the heavy,"
the big pussycat!





Known for taking risks, one of Del Toro's milestone characters is Fred Fenster from "The Usual Suspects" (1995). The imaginative actor created the unforgettable out of what would've otherwise been a minor and disposable part, by adding frenetic and awkward mannerisms, a speech impediment, and modifying his own hairline and eyebrows to blur ethnicity.


Del Toro discussing his most recent role, the tragic Lawrence Talbot in "The Wolfman" (2010).

IMDb, I Said

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Direct to YOUR screen!
Plots! Bios!! Facts and CREDITS!!!
Film's final roundup.

You can find the Internet Movie Database at www.IMDb.com.

The Lord of the Rings

Apparently, Gollum has never seen jewelry by Harry Winston.

Gollum, just toss it!
You may think the ring's precious,
but it ain't all that.