"The Penalty" was Lon Chaney's first feature length film. In it he plays a an amputee who walks on stumps. The effect is astounding as Chaney had to have his legs tied back and walk on his knees literally. Costumes added to the illusion.
Chaney plays a character known only as Blizzard a criminal bent upon taking over the San Francisco underworld. In his childhood Dr. Ferris (Charles Clary) had operated on him following an accident amputating both of his legs above the knees in error.
Fast forward 25 years where Blizzard is a feared crime leader running a criminal organization bent upon taking over the San Francisco streets. He is also determined to gain his revenge on Dr. Ferris who is now a renowned surgeon with a comely young daughter Barbara (Clair Adams).
Police detective Lichenstein (Milton Ross) assigns Rose (Ethel Grey Terry) to infiltrate Blizzard's organization to find out what he is up to. She gains his confidence by working the pedals of his piano as he plays. Gradually she begins to fall in love with him sensing goodness between his evil ways.
Blizzard takes Barbara hostage and forces Dr. Ferris to operate on his legs graft the legs of Ferris' assistant Dr. Allen onto him. But wait folks there's a McGuffin at work here. It seems that Blizzard has a growth on his neck which if removed will reveal his good side. So.............
Watching Chaney move about on stumps is truly amazing and would forebode things to come. He even climbs a wall and descends to a basement operating theater and he makes you believe that he really is an amputee. The man was truly amazing.
Barabara is a would be sculptor who wants to sculpt a bust of Satan. Blizzard arranges to be her model with the aim of using her to exact his revenge upon her father (note the pre production code nude model in the studio).
Chaney plays a character known only as Blizzard a criminal bent upon taking over the San Francisco underworld. In his childhood Dr. Ferris (Charles Clary) had operated on him following an accident amputating both of his legs above the knees in error.
Fast forward 25 years where Blizzard is a feared crime leader running a criminal organization bent upon taking over the San Francisco streets. He is also determined to gain his revenge on Dr. Ferris who is now a renowned surgeon with a comely young daughter Barbara (Clair Adams).
Police detective Lichenstein (Milton Ross) assigns Rose (Ethel Grey Terry) to infiltrate Blizzard's organization to find out what he is up to. She gains his confidence by working the pedals of his piano as he plays. Gradually she begins to fall in love with him sensing goodness between his evil ways.
Blizzard takes Barbara hostage and forces Dr. Ferris to operate on his legs graft the legs of Ferris' assistant Dr. Allen onto him. But wait folks there's a McGuffin at work here. It seems that Blizzard has a growth on his neck which if removed will reveal his good side. So.............
Watching Chaney move about on stumps is truly amazing and would forebode things to come. He even climbs a wall and descends to a basement operating theater and he makes you believe that he really is an amputee. The man was truly amazing.
Barabara is a would be sculptor who wants to sculpt a bust of Satan. Blizzard arranges to be her model with the aim of using her to exact his revenge upon her father (note the pre production code nude model in the studio).