The Penalty

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The Penalty

1920,

1h 10m,

Mystery & Thriller/

Crime/

Drama

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Watchlist

83%

6 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

As a child, Blizzard (Lon Chaney) is involved in a car accident in which the attending physician, Dr. Ferris (Charles Clary), unnecessarily amputates both his legs. Years later, Blizzard is the head of the San Francisco mob and is determined to exact revenge on Dr. Ferris. He sees an opening when he meets the doctor's daughter, sculptor Barbara (Claire Adams), and agrees to pose for her to carry out his scheme. Little does he know, his employee Rose (Ethel Grey Terry) is a police operative.

Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Nov 18, 2020

As a double amputee, Chaney is in top form, the motif of the disenfranchised, the butchered, the mutated, the unloved outstretched in full glory here, once again, to the detriment of his own health.

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John Beifuss

Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

Nov 16, 2012

3/4

Demonstrates the wonder and value of pre-digital moviemmaking: For all intents and purposes, Chaney *is* a legless man in 'The Penalty,' and the film is a documentary record of this impersonation.

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Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

May 9, 2007

4/5

Famous scene of Chaney straightening twisted legs is real plus.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Oct 16, 2006

C+

Somewhat interesting for historical reasons and for Chaney's memorable performance.

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Emily Blunt

Blunt Review

Jul 18, 2003

4/4

The Penalty is by far one of the greatest unsung achievements of ber-legend Lon Chaney

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Michael W. Phillips, Jr.

Goatdog's Movies

Nov 11, 2002

3/5

The reason the film still works instead of surviving merely as a somewhat hysterical anti-communist message film is Lon Chaney's performance.

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Albus L

Feb 3, 2019

Lon Chaney is fascinating in this silent underworld crime story.

Rey S

Jun 10, 2017

The Penalty has its weaker parts and it isn't as great overall as it could have been, but the premise is awesome and this crime flick features a crazy, incredibly dark thematically and emotionally storyline and filled with questionable actions by its characters. The reason to see it of course lies in the performance from Lon Chaney which is absolutely phenomenal. He had to physically torture himself while also portraying a very complex character and he still did a masterful job. This is certainly one great vehicle for one the best actors who ever lived.

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Luke R

Feb 18, 2017

Lon Chaney is amazing in this silent film about a legless criminal kingpin. Chaney went to great lengths to hide his legs and fully inhabit the role, and it is a towering performance. the story is predictable but serviceable, but this is a film to watch for the performance. Seek it out!

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Theodore S

Sep 27, 2015

This movie is an absolute privilege to watch, not only because its one of the few Lon Chaney films to survive but also one of his greatest performances. In this film, he plays the crime lord Blizzard a double amputee out for revenge after his legs are accidently cut off as a boy during a botched operation. Chaney actually tied his legs behind him and walked on his knees in these buckets with leather straps so that he would look the part and wouldn't have to rely on trick angles. I mean he just gives each performance his absolute effort and it really shows in this picture. don't be turned away by it being a silent film as it's up to par and maybe even better than sound movies today. 5/5

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Wallace Worsley

Director

Lon Chaney

Blizzard

Claire Adams

Barbara Ferris

Kenneth Harlan

Dr. Wilmot Allen

Charles Clary

Dr. Ferris

Ethel Grey Terry

Rose

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Synopsis

As a child, Blizzard (Lon Chaney) is involved in a car accident in which the attending physician, Dr. Ferris (Charles Clary), unnecessarily amputates both his legs. Years later, Blizzard is the head of the San Francisco mob and is determined to exact revenge on Dr. Ferris. He sees an opening when he meets the doctor's daughter, sculptor Barbara (Claire Adams), and agrees to pose for her to carry out his scheme. Little does he know, his employee Rose (Ethel Grey Terry) is a police operative.

Director: Wallace Worsley
Producer: Samuel Goldwyn
Screenwriter: Charles Kenyon, Philip Lonergan
Distributor: LS Video, Fright Video, Grapevine Video, Unknown Video, Goldwyn Distributing Company, Kino Video
Production Co: Goldwyn Pictures Corporation, Eminent Authors Pictures Inc.
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 14, 1920, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Jun 11, 2007
Runtime: 1h 10m

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