Lon Chaney continues to head the list of more-or-less silent movie players who continue to enjoy more than a modest degree of popularity today. Alpha have released two of his features, Outside the Law (1920) and The Trap (1922) on one DVD.
The first - aside from some decomposition at the climax of the last reel - is in absolutely immaculate condition and presents Lon in two roles: a ruthless thug and a Chinese servant.
Fascinating as Lon is, however, the principal male role is taken by Wheeler Oakman, of all people, who handles the part rather well. The star of the film, Priscilla Dean, is badly served by the wardrobe department, but is convincing none the less. Tod Browning has directed with a sure hand and manages to keep interest at a high level despite the slow-paced plot.
The Trap, on the other hand, is absolute rubbish, although it does present ever-reliable Alan Hale in a typical role as the heavy. Chaney himself obviously took advantage of weak director, Robert Thornby, to present the hammiest performance of his entire career. Although filmed on a miniscule budget, the original movie may have had some photographic appeal, thanks to the skills of Virgil Miller, but there's no way to tell in the surviving, extremely dupey 3/10 print.
The first - aside from some decomposition at the climax of the last reel - is in absolutely immaculate condition and presents Lon in two roles: a ruthless thug and a Chinese servant.
Fascinating as Lon is, however, the principal male role is taken by Wheeler Oakman, of all people, who handles the part rather well. The star of the film, Priscilla Dean, is badly served by the wardrobe department, but is convincing none the less. Tod Browning has directed with a sure hand and manages to keep interest at a high level despite the slow-paced plot.
The Trap, on the other hand, is absolute rubbish, although it does present ever-reliable Alan Hale in a typical role as the heavy. Chaney himself obviously took advantage of weak director, Robert Thornby, to present the hammiest performance of his entire career. Although filmed on a miniscule budget, the original movie may have had some photographic appeal, thanks to the skills of Virgil Miller, but there's no way to tell in the surviving, extremely dupey 3/10 print.