The Unholy Three (1925)

Director:

Tod Browning

Writers:

Clarence Aaron 'Tod' Robbins (novel)
Waldemar Young (scenario)

Release Date:

16 August 1925 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Plot:

Three sideshow performers leave their lives of captivity and become "The Unholy Three." Echo the ventriloquist...

Plot Keywords:

Macabre | Disturbing | Crime Gone Awry | Scam | Bird

Cast

Lon Chaney	...	Professor Echo, the ventriloquist, aka Mrs. 'Granny' O'Grady
Mae Busch	...	Rosie O'Grady
Matt Moore	...	Hector MacDonald
Victor McLaglen	...	Hercules, the strongman
Harry Earles	...	Tweedledee, the dwarf, aka Little Willie
Matthew Betz	...	Detective Regan
Edward Connelly	...	The judge
William Humphrey	...	Defense attorney (as William Humphreys)
E. Alyn Warren	...	Prosecuting attorney (as A.E. Warren)

Runtime:

86 min (alternate version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color (tinted)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

While getting ready for the role, Chaney remembered a thief he met when he traveled in his youth. He borrowed the man's attitude and mannerism.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Toward the end of the film, while Echo (Lon Chaney) and Rosie (Mae Busch) are having their conversation in the wooded area outside the cabin, both characters are clearly casting shadows on the scenery behind them, revealing that the 'woods' are actually a painting on a canvas backdrop.

Quotes:

Professor Echo, the ventriloquist, aka Mrs. 'Granny' O'Grady: Get rid of him! We're gonna pull that Arlington job tonight.
Rosie O'Grady: Oh, I'm mad at Granny! She won't stay in bed!
Hector MacDonald: Perhaps she wants to help us trim the tree.
Rosie O'Grady: Yes, she'd love to do some trimming.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Devil-Doll (1936)

Far-Fetched But Fun Chaney Film

"The Unholy Three" gives Lon "man of a thousand faces" Chaney Sr. a break from his usually intense, and macabre ventures. Here he plays Professor Echo, a circus ventriloquist who forms a gang of thieves ("The Unholy Three") which is composed of Hercules, the strongman (an impressive looking Victor McLaglen) and temperamental midget Little Willie (Harry Earles). The criminals come up with a plan to steal jewels from rich people, but things go wrong almost immediately. Chaney is a relatively decent guy here. Interestingly enough, Earles is the main villain of the piece; the little guy is a truly scary psychopath! Chaney does have a chance to show his ability of playing multiple roles, when Echo begins disguising himself as an old woman who owns a pet shop (the store serves as front for the gang's illegal activities). The movie is fun to watch, but it is a far cry from Chaney's (or director Browning's) best. The ending is particularly far-fetched (but I loved the "giant" ape!). It is mostly unpretentious entertainment. But if you like silent films or you are a fan of Chaney's work (like myself), you will enjoy the film.