The Unknown

1927 PG-13 1h 8m

7.5 /10

208

Genre

Drama Thriller Romance Horror

Plot

On the lam, criminal Alonzo hides in the circus as The Armless Wonder – a performer who uses his feet to hurl knives. Alonzo keeps the arms he really has concealed to hide his identity. Meanwhile, ringmaster's daughter Nanon has a phobia of being touched by men, but is romantically pursued by not only Alonzo but the strongman Malabar. Alonzo's desperation to remain with Nanon will only end in tragedy.

Director

Tod Browning

Writers

Tod Browning Joseph Farnham Waldemar Young

Stars

Lon Chaney Norman Kerry Joan Crawford

Cast & Crew

Gypsy Running to Zanzi's Death Scene (uncredited)

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Margaret Bert

Fortune Teller (uncredited)

Louise Emmons

Gypsy Woman (uncredited)

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Italia Frandi

Girl in Audience Flirting with Malabar (uncredited)

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Venezia Frandi

Woman in Audience (uncredited)

Polly Moran

Landlady / Servant in Audience (uncredited)

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Julian Rivero

Man in Theatre Audience (uncredited)

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Billy Seay

The Little Wolf (uncredited)

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Dorothy Seay

Spectator (uncredited)

28 Mar 2026

66/100 A strangler on-the-run takes refuge as an armless man in a circus and falls in love with a performing girl who can't stand being touched. So...

Geronimo1967

27 Mar 2024

Joan Crawford is the dazzling "Manon", daughter of a circus owner and keenly sought by strongman "Malabar" (Norman Kerry) and the newly arrived arm-le...