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James Cagney, Dorothy Malone, Jane Greer, Jim Backus, Robert Evans ... see more see more... , Marjorie Rambeau , Celia Lovsky , Jeanne Cagney , Jack Albertson , Roger Smith , Rickie Sorenson , Dennis Rush , Nolan Leary , Simon Scott , Danny Beck , Philip Van Zandt , Hank Mann , Harry "Snub" Pollard , Marjorie Bennett , Clarence Kolb , Robert Lyden , Robert J. Evans

One screen legend tips his hat to another as James Cagney portrays horror film icon Lon Chaney in Man of a Thousand Faces. Joseph Pevney's bio-pic takes a somewhat whitewashed view of Chaney's career,... read more read more... but Cagney is nothing short of riveting in the lead. The film begins as Chaney, the son of two deaf parents, is tasting success in vaudeville as a knockabout juggler, mime, and quick-change artist. Chaney meets Cleva Creighton (Dorothy Malone) and hires her as his assistant. They fall in love and marry, but when Chaney reveals his parents are deaf mutes, she recoils in revulsion. When she gives birth to a son, she refuses to look at him, thinking their child will also be deaf. Chaney proves her wrong, but Cleva reveals an underlying psychological affliction that grows in intensity as Chaney's vaudeville success increases. When Chaney becomes a vaudeville star, Cleva walks out on both Chaney and her son. Chaney's son is sent to a home, since after Cleva's departure, he hasn't the money to support him. To get his son back, he travels to Hollywood and takes every bit role available, using his gift for creative disguises to land several roles in one film. Chaney becomes well respected for his talents and his popularity becomes greater, and he eventually becomes a superstar. Along the way, he meets Hazel Bennett (Jane Greer) and they fall in love and marry. But his happiness is shattered when Cleva comes back into his life and demands the return of her son. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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75% liked it

1,326 ratings

Unrated, 2 hr. 2 min.

Directed by: Joseph Pevney

Release Date: January 1, 1957

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DVD Release Date: July 21, 1998

Stats: 85 reviews

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Man of a Thousand Faces Cagney as Lon Chaney in Unholy Three Man of a Thousand Faces
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Flixster Reviews (85)

  • jjnxn
    April 11, 2007
    jjnxn
    cagney is great in this
  • threefolddado
    July 9, 2008
    threefolddado
    A compelling look at early Hollywood with an outstanding performance from Cagney.
  • undeadfeature
    December 22, 2009
    undeadfeature
    Absolutely dramatic storytelling. Admittedly I have a vested interest in both James Cagney and Lon Chaney. Yeah, Cagney doesn't really look like Chaney at all but he was the man of a thousand faces. Why not one more? As you'd expect James Cagney is amazing in the role. He ... read moreinhabits all the things Chaney was. The parts of his life the screenplay chooses to show are well timed and done with prestige. Starting with his childhood brought up by deaf parents and his career as a song-and-dance man, all the way up through his turn as Quasimodo. This was, after all, rushed into production as a tribute to the man. I think he'd be proud.
  • dukeakasmudge
    November 6, 2009
    dukeakasmudge
    The only thing I can think of is........WOW.What an awesome movie!!! It truly shows you what a GREAT actor Cagney is
  • jam233
    October 31, 2009
    jam233
    Cagney?s excellent performance enhances this interesting biography of Lon Chaney. It?s a very well crafted film, good direction by Joseph Pevney, but it is Cagney?s film all the way. Moving and always interesting.
  • jeremybarmstrong
    March 21, 2009
    jeremybarmstrong
    Such an amazing film. James Cagney does a wonderful job of portraying Lon Chaney. Although their are some inaccuracies, I would certainly recommend this film to anyone.
  • 01MovieMan
    December 6, 2008
    01MovieMan
    This is a great classic
    The story of Lon Chaney

    Plot: A chronicle of the life of Lon Chaney, born the son of deaf-mute parents, who rose to become Hollywood's master of horror and disguise in the silent screen with his extraordinary gifts as a makeup art...( read more read ... read moremore... )ist.
  • moviempress
    July 4, 2008
    moviempress
    A pretty good Cagney film often overlooked. Cagney does a very good job of showing the hard times Chaney had, however the film does not really explore Chaney's craft at all.
  • girlybat
    November 7, 2007
    girlybat
    Wonderful film!!! Dramatic and touching--the whole family will enjoy it. The Lon Chaney story is one that needed to be told. The adversity of his childhood helped mold a determined man who changed the face of film. It's a wonderful and inspiring story.
  • KimPierce1
    July 31, 2007
    KimPierce1
    An amazing film. Cagney does an amazing job with the role of Chaney and the depictions of Chaney's most famous costumes are incredibly true to the original form. I thought the choice of Robert Evans as Irving Thalberg to string the film together was an interesting, and incredibly... read more true to life one if you don't research too much into Evans. :) One of my all-time favorite films.

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Critic Reviews

Ken Hanke
October 20, 2004
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Hollywoodized biopic not quite saved by Cagney.

Christopher Null
January 1, 2000
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Dorothy Malone plays Chaney's nutjob of a first wife with such fire that you practically want to get a restraining order in her yourself. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Randy Shulman
July 22, 2005
Randy Shulman, Metro Weekly (Washington, DC)

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
June 11, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

May 24, 2003
Film4

Click to read the article Full Review

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