Man of a Thousand Faces *** (1957, James Cagney, Dorothy Malone, Jane Greer, Robert J Evans, Jim Backus, Celia Lovsky, Jeanne Cagney) – Classic Movie Review 3729

Director Joseph Pevney’s 1957 dip into Hollywood history provides a very good biopic of silent star Lon Chaney Snr, mainly memorable for James Cagney’s rousing performance as the Man of a Thousand Faces and the Hollywood background detail.

Dorothy Malone as troubled Cleva Creighton Chaney and Jane Greer as nice Hazel Bennet give Cagney useful star support performances as the silent movie star’s two wives.

Bud Westmore’s make-up, re-creating Chaney Snr’s greatest moments, is the movie’s other main asset and it is the measure of the make-up’s success that Cagney really convinces as Chaney Snr,  even though he normally actually looks so little like him.

There is a notable score by Frank Skinner, who also scored Written on the Wind (1956).

Robert J Evans appears in his credited film debut, after being discovered by actress Norma Shearer at a Beverly Hills poolside, who offered him the part of her late husband, legendary producer Irving Thalberg. It is not strictly his debut, as he had previously played a soldier in Lydia Bailey (1952) and a minor role in The Egyptian (1954). He was Oscar nominated as producer for Best Picture for Chinatown (1974).

Also in the cast are Roger Smith as Creighton Chaney at 21, Marjorie Rambeau as Gert, Jim Backus as Clarence Locan, Celia Lovsky as Mrs Chaney, Jeanne Cagney as Carrie Chaney, Jack Albertson, Robert Lyden, Rickie Sorensen, Dennis Rush, Nolan Leary, Simon Scott, Clarence Kolb, Danny Beck, Philip Van Zandt, Hank Mann, Snub Pollard and Marjorie Bennett.

Actor Lon Chaney Snr’s most famous movie is The Phantom of the Opera (1925).

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3729

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