The Unknown poster
7.6/10 1927 1h 8m Released

Don't miss this startling spectacle!

On the lam, criminal Alonzo hides in the circus as The Armless Wonder—a performer who uses his feet to hurl knives. Alonzo keeps the arms he really has concealed to hide his identity. Meanwhile, ringmaster's daughter Nanon has a phobia of being touched by men, but is romantically pursued by not only Alonzo but the strongman Malabar. Alonzo's desperation to remain with Nanon will only end in tragedy.

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Top Cast

Lon Chaney
Lon Chaney
Alonzo
Norman Kerry
Norman Kerry
Malabar
Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford
Nanon Zanzi
Nick De Ruiz
Nick De Ruiz
Antonio Zanzi
John George
John George
Cojo
Frank Lanning
Frank Lanning
Costra
Tom Amandares
Tom Amandares
Gypsy Running to Zanzi's Death Scene (uncredited)
Margaret Bert
Margaret Bert
Fortune Teller (uncredited)
Louise Emmons
Louise Emmons
Gypsy Woman (uncredited)
Italia Frandi
Italia Frandi
Girl in Audience Flirting with Malabar (uncredited)
Venezia Frandi
Venezia Frandi
Woman in Audience (uncredited)
Polly Moran
Polly Moran
Landlady / Servant in Audience (uncredited)
Julian Rivero
Julian Rivero
Man in Theatre Audience (uncredited)
Billy Seay
Billy Seay
The Little Wolf (uncredited)
Dorothy Seay
Dorothy Seay
Spectator (uncredited)
John St. Polis
John St. Polis
Surgeon (uncredited)

Reviews

CinemaSerf 7/10

Joan Crawford is the dazzling "Manon", daughter of a circus owner and keenly sought by strongman "Malabar" (Norman Kerry) and the newly arrived arm-less knife thrower "Alonzo" (Lon Chaney). It's the latter man who has a bit of a secret though, and as the story progresses we realise that he's a criminal using a clever (if not desperately plausible) disguise to stay one head ahead of the pursuing police. She,…

Dr Nostromo 7/10

66/100 A strangler on-the-run takes refuge as an armless man in a circus and falls in love with a performing girl who can't stand being touched. Sounds like the perfect match, doesn't it? This is actually an extremely mature look at unrequited love played out as an examination of irony as the man will do virtually anything, regardless of how extreme, to win her affection only to have each decision make matters…

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FAQ about The Unknown

What is The Unknown about?
On the lam, criminal Alonzo hides in the circus as The Armless Wonder—a performer who uses his feet to hurl knives. Alonzo keeps the arms he really has concealed to hide his identity. Meanwhile, ringmaster's daughter Nanon has a phobia of being touched by men, but is…
When was The Unknown released?
The Unknown was released in 1927.
What genres does The Unknown belong to?
The Unknown is categorised as Drama, Thriller, Romance, Horror.
Who stars in The Unknown?
The cast of The Unknown includes Lon Chaney, Norman Kerry, Joan Crawford, Nick De Ruiz, John George.