The Unknown
Seen it?1927 | 68 min | Thriller, Romance, Horror
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing, romantics and horror fans. If you loved Ghost, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Scary, warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 8 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1927: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.5 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$847K worldwide on a $217K budget
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
Not enough engagement data yet
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Tod Browning
- Lon ChaneyAlonzo
- Norman KerryMalabar
- Joan CrawfordNanon Zanzi
- Nick De RuizAntonio Zanzi
- John GeorgeCojo
- Frank LanningCostra
- Tom AmandaresGypsy Running to Zanzi's Death Scene (uncredited)
- Margaret BertFortune Teller (uncredited)
- Louise EmmonsGypsy Woman (uncredited)
- Italia FrandiGirl in Audience Flirting with Malabar (uncredited)