Of all the odd and grotesque characters that the "Man of a Thousand Faces" had portrayed, this is a REALLY a strange one. I say that because his part of Dr. Ziska is never really explained or given a defined motivation as was done with all the other characters. In my opinion, this is not really a "Lon Chaney" film but more something akin to that bane of all great actors, namely "contractual obligation". Yes, He has a major role in this film but the focus is really on the comedic relief here in the personage of Johnny Arthur. Mr. Arthur is another "strange case" because he's at a time when the competition was quite stiff with the likes of Chaplin, Keaton, Lloyd, and the person he physically resembles the most, Charley Chase. Maybe that's why he never became the headliner he was aspiring to be. And that's a shame because as you watch this film, he certainly steals it away from Mr. Chaney, no small accomplishment, with his mastery of slapstick and ability to evoke pathos without becoming "mushy". The plot is the basic "old dark house" one with secret passages and the "mad scientist" played for all it's worth by Chaney. So don't look for any special thrills or chills in this one or for an "undiscovered" character by Chaney but instead watch this one for the comedy of Johnny Arthur and enjoy and wonder "what if" he had had more of an opportunity at starring vehicles and not ending up as a bit player in the 1930's. He would certainly have ranked right up there with the other greats of the time.
Review of The Monster
