The Unholy Three

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

The Unholy Three Photos

View All Photos

Movie Info

A ventriloquist (Lon Chaney) leaves the carnival midway to enact a wicked scam with his two pals, a strongman, a midget and a lady pickpocket. The bellytalker opens up a pet shop and begins selling "talking" parrots to wealthy patrons. Upon arriving home, the victims are dismayed when their formerly loquacious birds clam up. Ever the good business man, the petshop owner visits them. He brings him a baby carriage containing the midget who cases out the joint while the ventriloquist makes the parrots talk again. The crooks' venture proves lucrative and soon they hire a new clerk. The pickpocket falls in love with him. Later when the strongman and the midget disregard orders and the ventriloquist tries to frame the clerk. But the thieving girl pleads with him and offers to marry the voice-thrower in exchange for the clerk's freedom. Using his skills, the ventriloquist saves the crook. Later the strongman and the midget meet with final justice at the hands of a murderous ape. Meanwhile, the ventriloquist decides that crime really doesn't pay and after gallantly freeing the thief to be with her true love, resumes his life in the carnival.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Classics, Drama
Directed By:

Tod Browning
Written By:

Waldemar Young
In Theaters:

Aug 16, 1925 wide
Runtime:

70 minutes
Studio:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Cast

Lon Chaney
as Prof. Echo/Granny O'Grady

Mae Busch
as Rosie O'Grady

Victor McLaglen
as Hercules

Matt Moore
as Hector McDonald

Harry Earles
as Tweedledee

Harry Betz
as Regan

Matthew Betz
as Regan

Walter Perry
as Dime Museum Announcer

Edward Connelly
as Judge

William Humphrey
as Defense Attorney

A.E. Warren
as Prosecutor

John Merkyl
as Jeweler

Percy Williams
as Butler

Marjorie Morton
as Mrs. Arlington

Charles Wellesley
as John Arlington

Violet Cane
as Arlington Baby

Mickey McBan

John Millerta
as Wild Man from Borneo

Harvey Parry
as Stuntmon

E. Alyn Warren
as Prosecuting Attorney

View All

Critic Reviews for The Unholy Three

All Critics (6) | Top Critics (3)

After viewing this production the figures that have passed upon the screen still cling to one's mind, and one feels like talking about the strange and unusual tale.

Jun 10, 2009 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Mordaunt Hall
New York Times
Top Critic
Browning's obsession with deformity, sexual aberration, and death yielded many great moments but few wholly satisfying films -- up until his masterpiece of 1932, Freaks.

Jun 10, 2009 | Full Review…

Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
Top Critic
There is many a pleasing frisson to be had from the weird family circle formed by three carnival refugees.

Jun 10, 2009

Tom Milne
Time Out
Top Critic
As the dynamics of the odd trio change, the macabre observations and remarkable visuals are expertly handled, making this a much-under-rated silent.

Jun 10, 2009 | Full Review…

Film4 Staff
Film4
It is one of Lon Chaney's best movies and biggest hits, about a trio of sideshow "freaks" who become criminals to get revenge on "normal" society.

Jun 10, 2009 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

TV Guide
This silent-era Tod Browning classic, starring his favorite actor Lon Chaney, is one of his best, although it's not specifically a horror film.

Jun 10, 2009 | Full Review…

Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

View All Critic Reviews (6)

Audience Reviews for The Unholy Three

Oct 12, 2009

Another good turn from Lon Chaney. He plays a side show ventriloquist (in a silent movie!?!?) who, along with Hercules the Strong Man (Victor McLaglen) and Tweedledee the Smallest Man (Harry Earles), call themselves the Unholy Three and are burglars. The remake talkie from 1930 is very similar, and they both have their merits. But the last scene of this silent version pushes it slightly over the other for me. Very moving, and shows how little Chaney had to do to get a point across. This films gets an extra 1/2 star just for that few seconds of film.

Cindy I Super Reviewer
Apr 23, 2009

tod browning, king of the freaks. better than the remake by jack conway from 1930, which is mostly notable for being lon chaney's only talkie

Stella D Super Reviewer
Sep 18, 2007

Victor McLaglen is SO young is this one. PS - Lon Chaney truly was the man of 1000 faces. I stepped out of the room at one point and when I came back I didn't realize he was in disguise; I thought there was just a new character in the story.

Valerie G Super Reviewer