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Man of a Thousand Faces

Man of a Thousand Faces

Drama · 1957

The turbulent life and professional career of vaudeville actor and silent screen horror star Lon Chaney (1883-1930), the man of a thousand faces; bearer of many personal misfortunes that even his great success could not mitigate.

Movie details

Man of a Thousand Faces

“The true story of the life and loves of Lon Chaney!”

1957 Drama 2h 2m

Critical arithmetic

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TMDB

6.8 / 10

Community rating

The turbulent life and professional career of vaudeville actor and silent screen horror star Lon Chaney (1883-1930), the man of a thousand faces; bearer of many personal misfortunes that even his great success could not mitigate.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Man of a Thousand Faces?

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Joseph Pevney

Written by

R. Wright Campbell · Ralph Wheelwright · Ben Roberts · Ivan Goff

James Cagney

James Cagney

Lon Chaney

Dorothy Malone

Dorothy Malone

Cleva Creighton Chaney

Jane Greer

Jane Greer

Hazel Bennet Chaney

Marjorie Rambeau

Marjorie Rambeau

Gert

Jim Backus

Jim Backus

Clarence Locan

Robert Evans

Robert Evans

Irving Thalberg

Celia Lovsky

Celia Lovsky

Mrs. Chaney

Court is in session

Put Man of a Thousand Faces on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.