This is one of the silent movies that Tod Browning (usually known for Freaks, these days) directed, starring Lon Chaney.

I've been going to the San Francisco Silent Film Festival with the Squirrel Lady for a couple of years, and they had a restored version of this the first time I went. And sure, it's WAY over the top, but I loved it. And when I saw West of Zanzibar there this last winter, I went to my local library and found a biography of Tod Browning, which was a great read.

And since Mr. Otter had never seen this movie, I rented it.

This movie is one of Browning's best known, and pretty odd. The print that is generally available is short and not of great quality; they had a much better and more complete one at the film festival, which is why it's so much fun.

I won't give away the plot twists, but they are many and kind of unbelieveable, except that you are carried away by the whole thing and just go along for the wild ride. The thing that makes it work? Lon Chaney, who was an amazing actor.

Joan Crawford is the love interest, and she is very young and cute in this as well...but it's Chaney you'll be coming back to see, in whatever you can track down that he's in. Have fun!