"The Man of a Thousand Faces" was silent film star Lon Chaney's moniker. Born in Colorado Springs to deaf parents, Chaney learned early how to communicate through facial expressions and hand gestures. He became known for his ability to transform himself into bizarre or grotesque characters -- to the point of being unrecognizable. Two examples of this are the 1920s films "The Phantom of the Opera" and "The Unholy Three." Both screen at the Denver Silent Film Festival, which runs Friday through Sunday at the Alamo Drafthouse cinema in Littleton.
David W. Menefee wrote the book "The First Male Stars: Men of the Silent Era," which includes a section on Chaney. He spoke with Colorado Matters host Nathan Heffel about the actor's life and career.
Related:
- Douglas Fairbanks In "The Thief Of Bagdad" Opens The Denver Silent Film Festival
- Essay: Hollywood, Colorado Springs And The Birth Of Weird
- Why You Should Care About Silent Films
More:
Watch the famous "Unmasking Scene" from the silent film "The Phantom of the Opera":
