Rating: 
Summary: Awesome!
Review: "The Lon Chaney Collection"is one of the best DVD's of 2003.I'm a 14 year old Lon Chaney fan,and this will defintely be one of the best things I'll own my whole life. "The Lon Chaney Collection" has two discs. Disc one has an introduction by Robert Osborne and the Lon Chaney movies "The Ace of Hearts" and "Laugh,Clown,Laugh". Disc two has the Lon Chaney movies "The Unknown" and the "lost" 1927 film "London After Midnight". Also included is "Lon Chaney:A Thousand Faces", a documentary about the life and films of Lon Chaney. The best film on "The Lon Chaney Collection" is "Laugh,Clown,Laugh". "Laugh,Clown,Laugh" is about a man named Tito (played by Lon Chaney) whose job is playing Flik,a circus clown who entertains people and makes people laugh. One day, Tito finds a little girl who has been abandoned. Tito asks his partner to take care of this abandoned little girl- but he refuses- because he believes women bring bad luck. So Tito takes care of this little girl, and soon she becomes a woman. Tito and his partner fall in love with her, and there is a dispute over who is going to love her. The most interesting film Lon Chaney ever made-it's my all time favorite Lon Chaney movie. The best part of "The Lon Chaney Collection" is the "lost" 1927 film "London After Midnight", where a man is found dead in his London home. Investigators aren't sure if the death was murder or suicide-but then get some evidence the supposed victim is still alive. "London After Midnight" was released in 1927 and was "lost"in a fire in 1962. Because of this, there is a photo reconstruction. "The Lon Chaney Collection" is a must have for all silent film fans.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: "The Lon Chaney Collection"is one of the best DVD's of 2003.I'm a 14 year old Lon Chaney fan,and this will defintely be one of the best things I'll own my whole life. "The Lon Chaney Collection" has two discs. Disc one has an introduction by Robert Osborne and the Lon Chaney movies "The Ace of Hearts" and "Laugh,Clown,Laugh". Disc two has the Lon Chaney movies "The Unknown" and the "lost" 1927 film "London After Midnight". Also included is "Lon Chaney:A Thousand Faces", a documentary about the life and films of Lon Chaney. The best film on "The Lon Chaney Collection" is "Laugh,Clown,Laugh". "Laugh,Clown,Laugh" is about a man named Tito (played by Lon Chaney) whose job is playing Flik,a circus clown who entertains people and makes people laugh. One day, Tito finds a little girl who has been abandoned. Tito asks his partner to take care of this abandoned little girl- but he refuses- because he believes women bring bad luck. So Tito takes care of this little girl, and soon she becomes a woman. Tito and his partner fall in love with her, and there is a dispute over who is going to love her. The most interesting film Lon Chaney ever made-it's my all time favorite Lon Chaney movie. The best part of "The Lon Chaney Collection" is the "lost" 1927 film "London After Midnight", where a man is found dead in his London home. Investigators aren't sure if the death was murder or suicide-but then get some evidence the supposed victim is still alive. "London After Midnight" was released in 1927 and was "lost"in a fire in 1962. Because of this, there is a photo reconstruction. "The Lon Chaney Collection" is a must have for all silent film fans.
Rating:
Summary: Odd Choices, but Still Remarkable
Review: As a lifelong Lon Chaney Sr. fan, this collection is a mixed blessing. Two of the 3 films featured, "Laugh Clown Laugh" and "Unknown" certainly deserve inclusion on this set. However, "Ace of Hearts", while a fine Chaney performance, is an odd third choice. There were many other Chaney films that could have been included instead, such as "Mr. Wu", "Unholy Three" (sound or silent version, as both are excellent, maybe both could have been included for comparative reasons) "Tell It to The Marines", etc. etc. Of course, copyright limitations and/or a decent print of the above films could have played a part, but the above-mentioned films all do exist in decent shape. Anyway, the picture quality of the included films is excellent, considering their age. The photoplay of London After Midnight (unadvertised on the front cover, inexplicably) is an added treat, and probably the closest thing that we will ever have to the actual film (lost since the early 1960's). For my money, the best thing about this set is the documentary "A Thousand Faces" heretofore unreleased and featuring some very rare footage of Chaney, on film and in his private life. All in all,a feast for the Chaney fan. This was an artist who did not have to speak in order to portray his tragic characters, and who actually had TALENT, unlike many of today's screen faces. In this age of celebrity and hype, that's a very refreshing thing.
Rating:
Summary: An Ideal Introduction To "The Man Of A Thousand Faces".
Review: For those of you who only know Lon Chaney as The Phantom or Quasimodo and for those who don't know him at all, this collection is the ideal introduction to one of the most gifted artists to ever step in front of a camera. Start first with the British documentary on Chaney narrated by Kenneth Brannagh to give yourself some background. The first movie to watch is LAUGH CLOWN LAUGH (reportedly Chaney's favorite among his films) which ably demonstrates his ability to convey deeply felt emotions by the use of his body language and without heavy make-up although he does wear clown make-up at the end. Also the 15 year old Loretta Young is remarkable in her feature film debut. Follow that with THE ACE OF HEARTS which is the weakest of the three but still a pretty good film that allows Chaney the opportunity to shine in a fascinating storyline that is still of interest today. Save Tod Browning's THE UNKNOWN for last as it is truly a one of a kind film that will stay with you long after it's over. Chaney plays an armless knife thrower who isn't really armless while a young Joan Crawford has a phobia about being touched. Even more bizarre than it sounds with vivid performances and an astonishing visual composition. Each movie is taken from the best available source material and comes with a newly recorded score composed specifically for each film. View the other supplements whenever you choose to get a fully rounded picture of this incredible talent. All in all a remarkable set at a good price. Like the PHANTOM and METROPOLIS DVD's released earlier this year, this is how it should be done. Hopefully Turner Classic Movies can now turn their attention to the other classic M-G-M silents in their library (BEN HUR, GREED, THE BIG PARADE, THE WIND) and release them as well. For the next deluxe package how about "The Greta Garbo Collection". Thanks to efforts like this, the art of the silent film is alive and well and being passed on to a new generation of film lovers.
Rating:
Summary: The Zenith of Lon Chaney
Review: I didn't like silent films until I saw this movie. This movie is perhaps one of the best silent films in American history! Lon Chaney is excellent as a sad clown whose love for his 'daughter' is unrequited. Loretta Young is just ravishing! Even if the storyline is a little strange, it will captivate you, I guarantee it!
Rating:
Summary: Man of a Thousand Talents
Review: I first came to know Lon Chaney through Turner Classic Movies and I have been an admirer and fan ever since. Lon Chaney was the only silent film star I've ever seen that could portray complex human emotions without making them seem contribed or fake. Even through all that makeup the heart of the character can clearly be seen. And he also did all of this without sound. Although his classics are monster films like Phantom and Hunchback, this collection highlights three of his best films outside the horror genre. The three films have a similar theme: Chaney's character is in love with a woman who's in love with someone else. In the end, except for The Unknown, he realizes that if he can't have her at least he can leave her happy and that becomes more important to him. Laugh, Clown, Laugh is my favorite of this collection. Here's hoping this collection introduces him to more people and shows others that he can do more beyond monster movies!
Rating:
Summary: Lon Chaney at MGM
Review: Lon Chaney clearly thrived at the MGM studios and this DVD is a fine selection of 3 of his films. The Ace of Hearts was one of his four films made for Goldwyn Pictures (sadly, only this and The Penalty have survived). Laugh Clown Laugh and The Unknown are two of his finest films at Metro-Goldwyn Mayer. Both feature outstanding performances by Chaney. This is the first set of Chaney silents released by Warner Home Video. Not mentioned, it also features the TV reconstruction of London After Midnight. If you're a silent film fan or just someone who loves movies, this set is a must-have. Extras include a documentary on Lon Chaney by Kevin Brownlow and commentaries for the 3 main films by Chaney historian Michael F. Blake.
Rating:
Summary: Lon Chaney has arrived on DVD!
Review: Lon Chaney was and is still built today as Hollywood's first horror actor. However, Chaney was much more than just that. He was Hollywood's first CHARACTER actor. He was a true acting master of his time. This DVD set shows you just why he is still thought of today as an amazing actor and man. Its features include: The Ace of Hearts
Laugh Clown, Laugh (said to be Chaney's most favorite film)
The Unknown *BONUS FEATURES:
Documentary - Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces
London After Midnight (Still Photo Reconstruction)
Audio Commentaries by Michael F. Blake
Photo/Memorabilia Galleries
Behind the Scenes of the films' musical scores
Special Introductions by TCM host Robert Osborne Overall, this two-disc set is an amazing package! I would have liked if they would have included another disc with possibly two or three more films, but the set as it is has plenty of footage and features to keep you coming back for more! No true Chaney or Horror-movie fan can pass up this great set!
Rating:
Summary: MAN OF A THOUSAND FACES - DVD OF A THOUSAND DELIGHTS
Review: Lon Chaney was perhaps the greatest cinematic contortionist in the history of cinema. His gimmick was to use make up as camouflage, thereby appearing in each film with a completely different and unique look; most of them hideous. In this box set we get three of Lon's chameleons; The Ace of Hearts, Laugh, Clown, Laugh and The Unknown - where Chaney convincingly plays an armless knife throwing circus performer opposite Joan Crawford.
THE TRANSFER: Each film is presented in its most complete surviving version. The B&W and tinted color elements are remarkably pristine, considering the vintage. Though age related artifacts are present throughout they do not distract and quite often vanish into the backdrop of each engrossing story. Shadow and contrast levels are perfectly balanced. Image flickering and film grain are kept at their minimal levels. As these are "silent" movies we get a newly remastered 5.1 scoring that is amply presented across all channels of one's home theater set up.
EXTRAS: A wonderfully comprehensive documentary on Chaney's life, narrated by Kenneth Branagh, as presented on Turner Classic Movies. A reconstruction of "London After Midnight" a film that no longer exists in any form other than still photographs. Also an audio commentary track for each of the feature films in this box set.
BOTTOM LINE: This is an incredibly well done tribute to the silent cinema's haunted man of immeasurable mysteries and one that is well worth your time and your money.
Rating:
Summary: Skip The Long-Windedness
Review: No need to read all the reviewers who felt compelled to write book-length bios of Chaney and/or commentary on the films. It's just showing off. If you don't know Lon Chaney Sr. or only know a little (ie. Hunchback or Phantom), here's all you need: The man was a genius, plain and simple, and this set illustrates it perfectly. Buy it.
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