Help me solve this Bela Lugosi mystery...

[Mike Scott]

The size of my text is because, for some reason, I have difficulty reading this message board.

Why not just use your browser's zoom feature and make the page larger for you, instead of making the text larger for everyone?

[LonChaney]

Why not just use your browser's zoom feature and make the page larger for you, instead of making the text larger for everyone?

I didn't know I could do that — THANKS!

[Mike Scott]

I didn't know I could do that — THANKS!

In IE or Firefox, click on "View" and under "Text Size" click on "Largest", or "Increase". Change it back and forth as needed. Newer IE also has a zoom (look for "100%" along the bottom of your screen).

[LonChaney]

Lon - if I follow you, you've said that several faces are Bela's at this point? Isn't that looking for facts to to fit a theory, not building a theory from facts?

No, I said that one and only one clown is Mr. Lugosi, but my wife said that she feels that I'm wrong and has pointed out another which I then posted to this board for you all to look at, since it was addressed directly to me by the fellow with the chip on his shoulder that I should post something so that comparisons can be made.  (See what I mean about being damned if I do and damned if I don't?)  As I wrote, I'm sticking with my original choice.  Perhaps you don't realize that the performer seated on the floor and standing between HE and Tricaud is the same actor.

To those of you who've become my critics, let me get this straight:


1. Large fonts are shouting, even when they're not all caps.

2. Telling someone to "look all they want, but it's still Ford Sterling and Clyde Cook" makes me "smarmy."

3. Tongue-in-cheek remarks and humor are lost on many of you.


Gee, I'm so glad that I tried to help.

You're right.  It's not Ford Sterling nor Clyde Cook in the photos.  In fact, it's not even Lon Chaney.  It's Cate Blanchett in a time machine and rest are all CGI.

[Wich2]

Steady on Lon; no personal attack here.

I always read your posts, here and at CHFB (I do wish you wouldn't play the game of being a long-dead icon, as I find that disrespectful; but I'd feel the same if you posed as Abraham Lincoln.)

I think the jury is still out on the HE issue; there's not a lot of tangible evidence on either side. I do tend to be leery of theories from fans though, when they have such a strong element of "but it would be SO COOL if true!" As John Kennedy said, "wishing it, predicting it, even asking for it, does not make it so."

Worthy of further study. Maybe someday, ala the MITTY Karloff Monster pics, this one can be nailed.

Best,
-Craig W.

[LonChaney]

I always read your posts, here and at CHFB (I do wish you wouldn't play the game of being a long-dead icon, as I find that disrespectful; but I'd feel the same if you posed as Abraham Lincoln.)

Yeah, the GhostofChaneysLiver reeks of reverence.

[Wich2]

If you put yourself in that company, name-wise, you're making my point.

[LonChaney]

I don't — Abe.

[Scatter]

My words were not meant to be insulting.  It's just that I know with certainty who the performers in the group of three are and I did not want anyone to spend their time needlessly trying to figure it out after I wrote it.  Also, when I'm in a hurry, I'm brief.

The size of my text is because, for some reason, I have difficulty reading this message board.  I write using the larger font so that I can see it better in preview.  I don't have that problem with the Classic Horror Film Board and, again, I have no idea why.  Also, I don't find this board as easy to navigate.

Finally, I'm the new kid on the block.  Sadly, it's been my experience that, no matter what or how I write, as the newbie, there's always going to be some regular who is hasty to judge, comes forward and finds a bone to pick.  This time, you're it.  Next time, in another forum, it will be someone else.  I don't care anymore.

No problems with me mate. Let's just start fresh and not let the trivial become the insurmountable. The large text, in internet parlance, is definitely shouty.

BTW, we love newbies here, this is not the CFHB. You'll be hard pressed to find anyone here who experienced what you seem to expect to experience as a newbie. So relax, no one is looking for a bone to pick. Perhaps that expectation may color some of your perspective?? Welcome aboard, and thanks for the terrific info.

BTW, what makes you believe the clown you specified is Lugosi?? Someone asked previously but I didn't notice a response. Is it more a process of elimination, or do you see some facial characteristics that lead you to this conclusion??

[LonChaney]

BTW, what makes you believe the clown you specified is Lugosi?? 

The bone structure of his face and the shape of his eyes.

You can't go by the paint because clown makeup, when applied correctly, is designed to work with the natural movement of the underlying facial muscles, not correspond with the actual lines and distinguishing marks of the face.  To open up the eyes, and especially with white face, the brow is drawn well above the natural brow, because that is where there is the most movement when the muscle is contracted.  (To draw the brow over the natural brow, as was done with Mr. Sterling, makes the clown look stern; but, as boss clown, that is his character.)  And the mouth is almost always exaggerated, placing the corners past the smile lines and onto the cheeks.  If a performer or makeup artist does not apply the greasepaint in this fashion, movement of the face may produce the opposite of the desired result, such as the mere act of smiling turning a neutral or pleasant expression into a horrible grimace.

[Wich2]

Let's play fair, "Mr. Chaney."

An avatar is not a persona and anyway, mine changes often.

But I've never called myself by Mr. Lincoln's name (save when in character, as an actor). And I'd never adopt the pretense of actually BEING the man, in posts.

Best,
-Craig Wichman

[LonChaney]

Let's play fair, "Mr. Chaney."

An avatar is not a persona and anyway, mine changes often.

But I've never called myself by Mr. Lincoln's name (save when in character, as an actor). And I'd never adopt the pretense of actually BEING the man, in posts.

Best,
-Craig Wichman

Well, Mr. Wichman, first off, let me say that you have my utmost respect.  I admire what you do here and at CHFB, and the fairness, diplomacy and professionalism with which you do it.  Secondly, you are more than entitled to your opinion.

However, there are upwards of 2,000 people both on MySpace and Facebook who enjoy what I do immensely, and appreciate the spirit in which I do it.  That number keeps growing every day and I receive messages all the time from Chaney fans who thank me for keeping Lon alive.  Some of those people are Chaney family members.

Also, I cannot tell you how many people I've introduced to the Chaney films, products, books, websites and related subjects, such as motion picture preservation, silent cinema, makeup techniques, theater arts, the art of other Chaney admirers, etc.; how many questions I've answered, efforts and projects I've assisted in, creative works I've encouraged...all without taking credit for my participation and asking for nothing in return, all anonymously save for this "phantom."

So, as I said, you are more than entitled to your opinion.  But, for every one who may find fault with what I do (and, believe me, I am very careful with how I do it), there are many, many more who are glad for it.

I am an actor too, Mr. Wichman, a one-man show.  In this role, the internet is my stage, my screen, my medium.  And, with the exception of this momentary aside, I don't break character.

[Wich2]

Dear (_) -

I much appreciate that. And as I have always tried to make clear, I have absolutely nothing against you personally; just the opposite - you seem to be an informed, fair, and decent guy.

Our only disagreement is on principle.

I don't, in general, like cyber-masks. Too often online, they are used to cover bad behavior that the wearer would never own with their own face (much the same reason goofballs like the Klan, or Hezbolah, wear masks.)

But beyond that, I do take issue with someone claiming to be someone else - a REAL someone else, mind you. Not "Clark Kent," or "Count Dracula," but Lon F. Chaney - once a living, breathing human being. I have friends who walked the earth at the same time as he did; and he has very-much-alive descendants.

(I wonder how you would feel about this, if someone was posting as your Grandfather?)

Again, no personal offense is meant here. And it isn't even specifically about Chaney. I wonder if there's a statute of limitations on such appropriation of person: is it okay now, for instance, to pretend to be Forrest J. Ackerman? Or perhaps, Peter Cushing?

We'll just have to agree to disagree, here.

Best,
-Craig

[Wich2]

Back OT:



THIS is an actor that Gary Rhodes thinks more likely to be Bela (if he's in the film at all) - the man I've centered, at the desk to the left of Chaney in the pic.

(To my eyes, he's a little jowly/full of face compared to the other Lugosi pics of this era; but this all gets so subjective...)

[Mike Scott]

Probably not.