Book Review: Lon Chaney Speaks by Pat Dorian

Lon Chaney Speaks
by Pat Dorian (741.5 Dor)

 

This was a fascinating graphic novel format biography of the legendary silent movie actor Lon Chaney, master of transforming himself into other people via early cinematic make-up effects and the way he held his own body. As the author/artist says, Chaney “chose to keep his personal life hidden, he rarely gave interviews, preferred not to be photographed without [character] makeup”. Therefore, the biographical elements of this short, intriguing work are, in part, supposition on Dorian’s part.

 

Dorian intersperses chapters in Lon Chaney Speaks dealing with Chaney’s childhood and early vaudeville career, then his superstar motion picture career, with side chapters focused on the films he’s best known for, including Shadows, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and the Phantom of the Opera, among others. Each “movie” chapter goes into detail describing the work Chaney had to do to create his distinctive and memorable characters.

 

This was a fascinating read, and the “cartoon”-like illustrations don’t take away from the serious story of Chaney’s life. I’ll have to admit, I really didn’t know much about him, beyond his famous roles, and this book gave me a good picture of the hard, sometimes difficult and complicated life, he led. Highly recommended!

[ Lon Chaney on: Wikipedia & Internet Movie Database ] | [ official Pat Dorian web site 

 

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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