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Simply Perfect

Load of rubbish!!

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

. . . so naturally he confined his movie career almost exclusively to silent films. MAN OF A THOUSAND FACES is a Universal Picture--a biography of a Universal star decades gone. Therefore, some of its "facts" may seem a little fishy. FACES implies that Mr. Chaney's key performances were drawn directly from his personal life. The stage-obsessed, acid-scarred PHANTOM OF THE OPERA? Based on his first wife, Cleva, a frustrated singer who barges on stage to gulp acid in the middle of Lon's act. His contorted human worms and insects in flicks such as MIRACLE MAN and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME? Sketched directly after his second wife, Hazel's, mutilated first husband. After piling on such incredible melodrama well past the tipping point, FACES "jumps the shark" with Act V: THE TROUT'S REVENGE. Habitual screen chain-smoker James Cagney is free of "coffin nails" dangling from his lips as Lon, so naturally Lon is the one Cagney character doomed to throat cancer. It's a mysterious death for Universal's "Mystery Man." Was Lon poisoned by PP&G? Or was he Humanity's first sacrifice to precipitated lead and mercury brought on by the Automobile Age? After all, FACES implies that his diet was mostly fresh-caught Southern California trout. Only, his last creel-full outlived him!

There was a time when movie bios were a mix of fact and invention -- and 1957's "Man of a Thousand Faces" typifies the genre. Yes, Chaney was the son of deaf mutes but there's no evidence that he hid the fact from his pregnant wife or that she demanded an abortion when she heard the news. And while it's true that she was suicidal, she didn't try to kill herself on stage. Their bitter relationship makes for a series of mawkish moments, backed by dire music, when the movie ought to be focusing on Chaney's talent. When it occasionally does, thanks to James Cagney's splendid performance, it suddenly springs to life. His re-enactment of moments from "The Phantom of the Opera" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" are amazing. But just when you think you're getting a sense of what "the man of mystery" was really like, it's back to sludgy soap opera. And all you can do is groan.

This was both a financial hit and a critically acclaimed performance by James Cagney, and I think the reason for that is that Cagney was so busy "being" Lon Chaney, that he stopped being Jimmy Cagney. Although nearing the end of his active film career, this is one of his finest roles.First, this is a strong story. While all movie bio-pics take some liberties, it appears that this one remained closer to the real story than most. And a dramatic story it is. The script here moves the story along in a reasonable manner, not sensationalizing the apparent truth.There are strong performances throughout, not just by Cagney. Dorothy Malone is particularly good here, although her role as Cagney's first wife is difficult to like. Jane Greer is also excellent as wife # 2. Jim Backus as the agent is also very good, and it's nice to be reminded about what a fine character actor he was before moving into television.Rather than describe the plot, I would recommend you read the Wikipedia article about Lon Chaney, Sr. for background. It really will help you enjoy the film more.Highly recommended for both the strong performances and a reminder of a notable silent screen actor.

Man of a Thousand Faces (1957) *** 1/2 (out of 4) Bio pic has James Cagney playing silent screen star Lon Chaney from his early days on stage up to his untimely death in 1930. This is a rather hard film to judge as a lot of stuff has been made up but at the same time there's no doubt that the movie is dramatic and entertaining. It's even weird talking about Cagney because he gives a terrific performance yet it's still rather hard to see him as Chaney since the two have very little in common. Their size, their look and the way they act are completely different so sometimes you have to wonder if you're watching Cagney be Cagney or doing a Chaney impersonation. Even with that said I think this movie hits all the right marks, although people should know that the movie focuses on Chaney's personal life more than his professional. Most of the drama comes from his first marriage to Cleva (Dorothy Malone) and his eventual relationship with another woman (Jane Greer). Most of the drama comes from whether or not the deadbeat first wife should be able to see her son. The Miracle Man, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Phantom of the Opera have scenes re-enacted here and Cagney perfectly captures them even though, yet again, he doesn't look like Chaney. Both Malone and Greer add strong performances as does Robert Evans as Irving Thalberg. This bio pics are always going to be mixed with truth and fiction and since there are plenty of excellent documentaries out there Chaney fans can look at them for more truth. For entertainment however, this film hits on many levels and for that reason it's highly recommended despite the flaws.