THE ACE OF HEARTS is a strange, haunting tale about a mysterious club devoted to the elimination of "the man who lived too long." LON CHANEY is a member of this group of assassins who are determined to end the life of someone they've decided to kill. All of their motivations are never fully explained.
The plot thickens when Chaney is not assigned the task, but the job is given to a man in love with LEATRICE JOY--as is Chaney. When the man cannot do the job, the club turns to him when he inadvertently chooses the Ace of Hearts and is expected to carry out the kill and thereby win the heart of Miss Joy. Strange indeed, as far as the plot goes. To tell more, would be to give away the twist ending.
There's a mysterious element throughout, due partly to the story itself and the masterful photography capturing dark and windy scenes in a way that adds to the suspense. But the acting is strictly from the silent era, which means nobody gives the sort of performance today's viewer would find natural.
Even Chaney is given to extreme posturing to portray a man frustrated in love and finding irony in the situation he finds himself in. He wears none of the extensive make-up usually associated with his parts, but it's not one of his most distinguished roles.
Fans of the famed actor should find it worth viewing.
The plot thickens when Chaney is not assigned the task, but the job is given to a man in love with LEATRICE JOY--as is Chaney. When the man cannot do the job, the club turns to him when he inadvertently chooses the Ace of Hearts and is expected to carry out the kill and thereby win the heart of Miss Joy. Strange indeed, as far as the plot goes. To tell more, would be to give away the twist ending.
There's a mysterious element throughout, due partly to the story itself and the masterful photography capturing dark and windy scenes in a way that adds to the suspense. But the acting is strictly from the silent era, which means nobody gives the sort of performance today's viewer would find natural.
Even Chaney is given to extreme posturing to portray a man frustrated in love and finding irony in the situation he finds himself in. He wears none of the extensive make-up usually associated with his parts, but it's not one of his most distinguished roles.
Fans of the famed actor should find it worth viewing.