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"The Unholy Three" marks the end of an era. During the 1920s, Lon Chaney had become one of Hollywood's biggest stars, often playing grotesque characters in elaborate costumes and makeup. The silent movies made him famous, but in 1930 he delivered an equally-impressive "talkie." Sadly, he died after the film's release, making it his only talking film.

Lon Chaney was known as "the man of a thousand faces," but in this movie Chaney had something to prove: that his voice could be just as versatile as his face. He plays a disguised crook who had worked as a circus ventriloquist. "Professor Echo" feigns a high-pitched voice and pretends to be a kindly old woman. But his real objective is crime, and he's partnered with the circus's midget and strongman.

He presents himself as the harmless "Grandma O'Grady," the owner of a pet store. Wealthy patrons purchase its birds, because they're apparently very good at talking. But the birds fall silent as soon as they're out of range of the ventriloquist. "Grandma O'Grady" then makes a house call to the bird's new home - and then cases it for a robbery.

The strong man can bend iron bars, and the midget scoots through tiny holes. But when visitors investigate the shop, the midget poses as a harmless baby. During one of their burglaries, a man is murdered. Now "the unholy three" must hide behind their identities - or risk facing the death penalty for an even greater crime.

Chaney eventually must face the long arm of the law - which leads to an exciting and tense confrontation. Hauled into court, he appears again as Grandma O'Grady. An innocent man will be charged with murder unless the defense attorney shakes Chaney's story. During the intense cross-examination, he slips into his male voice. The attorney removes his wig, and the cross-dressing criminal is exposed!

One legend said criminals expressed gratitude to the actor - for showing humanity in the faces of his crooked characters. The movie ends with Chaney off to prison, but now reformed and grateful for a chance to go straight. The plots of Chaney's films were always dark and melodramatic, suggesting the raw thrills of a simpler age. But his charismatic acting always transformed them into something special.

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