My favorite Uni actor and the namesake of my dog Lon Chaney Jr died on this date in 1973! I was -4 years old!!!
Born: Creighton Tull Chaney
February 10, 1906 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
Died: July 12, 1973 (age 67) in San Clemente, California, USA
I think Lon jr. helped to define classic horror and suspense as much as his father did. While Lon didn't create makeup the way Lon Sr. did, he brought a life and vitality to his portrayals that I feel basically carried the horror genre during the 40's, the way Boris and Bela carried it in the 30's. The fact that he could break out of his horror mould at times and gain recognition for non-horror character roles (like the aging sheriff in High Noon) is, to me, the proof of his talent. Even towards the end of his life, when Lon was doing his low-budget features, his presence lifted any film he was in from the mundane to the entertaining. Of course he had his demons, and, like many, a fondness for alcohol physically took it's toll on him. However, from everything I read, he never allowed it to stop him from being ready and able to do a scene. Thank you Creighton, for your many years of amazing performances.
One of the best!
Still miss the big brute.
Its not very often you can see an actor step out of the shadow of his famous father, but that is exactly what Lon Chaney Jr was able to do and become just as good an actor as Lon Chaney Sr, if not better. RIP to this terrific actor, he will always be remembered as a hero of the era.
A true legend.........and one not fully appreciated except in enclaves such as this one. RIP.
I was 13 years old, and read it in the local paper back then. I was really depressed. He was scheduled to be in a play in my home town that year, and the cast always went to a local pizzeria for a cast party. I was looking forward to meeting him! (I met Vincent Price instead!)
Quote from: Illoman on July 12, 2012, 09:33:30 PM
I was 13 years old, and read it in the local paper back then. I was really depressed. He was scheduled to be in a play in my home town that year, and the cast always went to a local pizzeria for a cast party. I was looking forward to meeting him! (I met Vincent Price instead!)
You..........MET..........VINCENT PRICE? That's one hell of as trade-off for Chaney, though he was awesome too!
I was 11, and still have the obit clipping from The Newark Star-Ledger. His portrayal of Lenny in "Of Mice and Men" is still gut-wrenching to this day.
Thanks for the chilling memories, Mr Chaney Jr.
Quote from: Illoman on July 12, 2012, 09:33:30 PM(I met Vincent Price instead!)
Talk about a consolation Vincent Prize!!! ???
Quote from: Caveman on July 14, 2012, 08:17:48 AM
Thanks for the chilling memories, Mr Chaney Jr.
Talk about a consolation Vincent Prize!!! ???
:D :D :D