Lon Chaney. His Dedication Should Inspire Modern Horror
Let’s face it: Many of us watch horror films and instantly know when someone’s just “phoning in” their performance much unlike Lon Chaney.
Let’s face it: Many of us watch horror films and instantly know when someone’s just “phoning in” their performance, much unlike Lon Chaney. We can tell when there’s a lackluster, cookie-cutter script and that a story is full of devices and plot holes. While some flawed movies can still be watchable, they are so much easier to yawn at than productions and performances obviously brimming with dedicated talent. This is why Joker is more acclaimed than Cats, but also why Erik, the “phantom” of the Paris Opera House, has stood the test of time. How could he inspire better movies today?
Why Lon Chaney’s Great
It’s not just that The Phantom of the Opera is old and therefore a classic. It’s also the undeniable scale of his performance, the dedication to his craft and how he made a relatively simple story become layered with hidden complexity. We don’t know Erik, yet we somehow know him. It’s impossible to pin down exactly what animates him, yet he retains that timeless emotional quality, that wounded sincerity.
Joan Crawford noted this sort of thing in her autobiography. After starring with him, she had this to say: “Lon Chaney’s concentration, the complete absorption he gave to his character, filled all of us with such awe we never even considered addressing him with the usual pleasantries until he became aware of and addressed us. He was armless in this picture—his arms strapped to his sides—and he learned to eat, even to hold a cigarette using his feet and toes.” Even more broadly, Ray Bradbury said that “The history of Lon Chaney is the history of unrequited loves.” Before elaborating on how this scale of talent could potentially inspire better films, let’s first assess some bumps in the road to current films.
A Little Problem with (Some) Modern Movies & Shows
An article like this will always look like pandering, or like the author’s just “fanboying” (or “fangirling”). However, there’s something to the difference between wanting to make art and merely wanting to make money. On that note, iconic director Martin Scorsese came under minor criticism for comparing Marvel’s superhero movies to a theme park (rather than cinema).
He went on to elaborate on his views, even saying he might enjoy Marvel if he were growing up today. However, he notes that modern movies are simply different: “[They are] market-researched, audience-tested, vetted, modified, revetted and remodified until they’re ready for consumption.”
While movies have always had a business angle, it’s safe to say it was never quite as corporate as it is today. In fact, the same’s true about music. Someone who grew up before the year 2000 can more easily recognize this, just as they can remember life before cellphone and social media addiction. While there is still raw talent out there today, it seems far more important for it to be salable talent. Plenty of unconventional storylines and dedicated performances are likely to be ignored, simply because they lack blockbuster earnings.
What Modern Horror Can Learn From Lon Chaney
In some ways, people should take a step back, cut down on the corporate profit angle a bit. Going back to Cats, that movie isn’t mocked simply because it wasn’t the biggest moneymaker. First and foremost, people notice the cheesy CGI. While that might even have its charm, it stands in stark contrast to the makeup work of Lon Chaney, who famously worked on his own look for Erik, The Phantom.
Not only was there no CGI back then, but there wouldn’t have been a need for it. Lon Chaney had a commanding presence, and so did the story he was ultimately wrapped up in. Quite simply, this level of dedication is what we could use a lot more of. Similarly, at least to my eye, old production stills of the old Cats musical look better than the computer stuff.
Dedication
If people are dedicated to their craft, it’s almost guaranteed to create better results. There’s also more need for a stronger aesthetic sense or visual style aside from Hollywood explosions and stunts. On top of that, people should perhaps try writing characters with more heart, at least a little more often. There could be more feeling to more movies — including even horror ones. This isn’t to say “Cheesy horror movies aren’t any good.” In fact, some of my favorite horror films are giant slabs of cheese. Similarly, I can appreciate a cheesy action flick. However, sometimes I want to watch something with far more emotional depth which actually says something, does something, apart from action sequences, or even chills.
Such movies do exist and will continue to exist, but I hate to think of talent being wasted or ignored by studios unwilling to take the necessary risks to make good movies. Maybe Joker is overhyped, but it will likely stand the test of time precisely because it’s not just about a Batman villain. Similarly, Phantom of the Opera isn’t just about some crazed opera-goer.
What are your thoughts on Lon Chaney, Joker and modern cinema? Let us know in the comments!
Good news to my nonbinary pals – we no longer exist!
“But Brannyk,” you may be thinking, “what am I supposed to do now that I am no longer a real being? How shall I spend my days?”
Unfortunately, the government has not released a handbook for this occasion, so I thought we could brainstorm together.
BECOME A GHOST
There are some benefits to being a ghost, for sure.
No rent or insurance payment. No corporate job, no cleaning cat litter, no AT&T trying to sell you another line after repeatedly telling them that you just want to make sure that your autopayment is on, but they’re all like, ‘Why would you pass up such a bargain on a second line? Are you an idiot? Why wouldn’t you need another phone line?‘ and so you have to tell them, “Because I’M DIVORCED, ASSHOLE, THANKS FOR REMINDING ME OF THAT!”
Ahem. I digress.
Yeah, you may not be able to venture out, much like Adam and Barbara in Beetlejuice. You may need to put up with someone else crashing your place and moving around all of your shit. Or Ryan Reynolds trying to sell you Mint Mobile. Or some toxic couple taking your creepy doll that you spent years on trying to possess.
Or, my absolute biggest pet peeve, when you’re practicing for the ghost speed chair-stacking championship and the normies just don’t appreciate your cool skills.
But the advantages are that you get to stay home, watch tv, stack your chairs and hope whoever buys your house/visits your creepy woods/gentrifies your neighborhood is a cool person, too.
(2 / 5)
It’s a good choice, but has a lot of drawbacks.
BECOME A CREATURE
Look, if you’re not going to exist, go big or go home, I’d say.
Monsters are cool. They play by their own rules. Sometimes they cause havoc. Sometimes they come around and help people. Sometimes they work alone. And other times, they have a lot of friends. Sometimes they just need some affirmation. And sometimes they’re…in high school, apparently?
The cool thing is that they come in all shapes and sizes.
Monsters are generally misunderstood. Some have their fans. Others are hated.
So basically, just like people, except with more tentacles.
The only downsides are that you might be too big or too “ick” for some people (these can also be pluses), you may have a taste for human flesh (no judgement), or the biggest issue – there are too many choices.
You could get stuck trying to figure out what kind of monster you are. If you’re not into labels, it’s an absolute nightmare. Or if you’re like me, it’ll be like standing in Subway for 15 minutes trying to figure out what toppings and dressings you want while the “sandwich artist” is openly judging you.
(4 / 5)
I like the customization, but it can be a bit too overwhelming.
BECOME A CRYPTID
Hear me out. I know it seems a lot like the monster category, but it’s not quite.
Cryptids are weird and mysterious. They keep to themselves. They have people who are fascinated by them and post on Reddit about them. Some have people making documentaries about them.
They’re like monsters’ quieter cousin who reads books in the corner at family gatherings. They collect shiny things they find by the side of the road. Sometimes they’ll steal a peanut butter sandwich or two.
Ever so often, they might scare a human just by existing or by politely asking for their stuff back.
Each one kinda has their own goals and priorities. Their own hangouts and interests. But unlike monsters, they’re not looking to rock any boats-
Never mind, I stand corrected.
(5 / 5)
I like the freedoms of being a cryptid and also dig the cottage-core vibe I get from them.
CONCLUSION: LET’S BE REAL FOR A SECOND…
I know it’s hard right now. It’s going to be hard. You may not exist to some assholes, but you are real. You have real feelings and thoughts and dreams. You have a real future. You have real decisions. Real actions that affect this world.
You have the real ability to wake up tomorrow and choose to exist. And for whatever reason you choose. Use it. Ghosts and monsters and cryptids are powerful, just like you are, even when you don’t feel like it. They have a place in our human world, just like you do. You make this world interesting and important.
You are part of this world, you are real, and you are not alone.
The horror community is one of acceptance, diversity, creativity and passion. In these times, it needs to be. We need to rely on each other. We need to cultivate and protect each other, as much as we need to protect ourselves.
And it looks like I’ll be coming out of my own cryptid hovel I’ve spent the past few years in to remind you that. My job isn’t done. Not by a longshot. And neither is yours.
You exist to me. Today, tomorrow, and forever.
Be safe out there, friends.
If you live in the United States, it’s time to rock the vote for real. I shared this video before in conjunction with my identity-based costume work, and I feel it’s important to revisit now, with the election coming up in just a few days. Besides which, Jack Black and Tenacious D are brilliant and given the current political climate, who doesn’t want to do the time warp? But seriously, get out and rock the vote, your life kinda does depend on it (at least insomuch as being able to make for yourself the life that you want, without the government telling you how to do so – especially if you live on the fringes of socially acceptable awkwardness like me and so many of my friends).
Besides which, this video is so good, it’s worth sharing again anyway. And again, if for some reason the video doesn’t load, you can find it here.
Art Attack
And here are some artworks I made awhile back as political commentary. The photograph was shot of the scene exactly as found, of a sign above a parking lot in a quickly gentrifying neighborhood making sure all knew that any unauthorized vehicles were unwelcome, and hung right in front of a flag that was tattered and torn from being caught on the chain link fence driving the point home. The flags were meant to be interactive, with gallerygoers waving them while singing The Star Spangled Banner in its elitist entirety. The whole really spoke to me regarding some of the political climate at the time (this was right before Trump was elected President the first time). How much has changed since then? In some ways, a lot. In other ways, I guess we shall see.
So on my recent road trip to Miami AZ USA for my menstruation art installation, we decided to detour to Roswell NM en route home. To be honest, this was one of the best decisions of my life, up there with road trippin’ from Arizona to San Francisco along CA-Highway 1, and I will go into the details of why here soon.
Roswell NM USA has totally embraced its alien history of the UFO crash in the late 1940s and subsequent government cover up. The whole town is alien-happy with beautiful hand carved wood totems, murals and statues everywhere celebrating otherworldly denizens of all types, though predominantly the gray aliens of the crash (and their green counterparts). Even the city logo features a flying saucer as the center of the letter “R”. It really is kind of incredible.
One of the biggest draws is the International UFO Museum and Research Center, housed in the wonderful old theater building. This museum details the crash history as well as celebrating aliens in movies and media and examining newer alien sightings and abductions. It is very thorough and includes maquettes, statues, written accounts and an extensive research library, as well as an interesting art collection of various items.
And there are TONS of fun alien themed curiosity shops. I will give a shout out to the newer Invasion Station north on Main Street where there had once been an old car dealership. I love the quirky nature of this particular store as well as their strong desire to promote local artists. Most of their wares are hand-painted in NM and feature designs by prominent local artists including one of the lead muralists in town (I bought a magnet of his). They also feature really alternative kitsch like KISS and Ace Frehley alien bobbleheads, marijuana and anal references, and such. All in all, our own Haunted MTL’s kinda folks…
And the city is a huge tourist draw internationally, so you can meet some amazing and interesting folks from all walks of life who have caught the alien bug or at least want to check out all the hype. As a result of the tourism, the residents seem really laid back and accommodating (kind of like Hawaii but not quite as much) and there is a thriving art scene. And it’s totally my kind of art – weird and a little creepy. Anyway, I feel like I’ve finally found my peeps and am eager to return someday.
If you’re feeling a bit extraterrestrial, I invite you to also check out some of my alien-themed stories here on Haunted MTL: LTD UFOs among us; my Drive-By short story; and LTD Abducted.
