Man of a Thousand Faces 1957

In the midst of Hollywood’s collective grief over the untimely passing of Lon Chaney, the city’s iconic Universal Studios flags fluttered somberly at half mast in 1930. The curtain drew open on a poignant tale that would weave together threads of tragedy, triumph, and transformation. Childhood struggles had forged a resilient Lon, who as a vaudeville performer, had learned to adapt to the challenges posed by his deaf parents’ reliance on sign language. Years later, as he welcomed his pregnant wife Cleva into his family fold, she was met with an unsettling revelation: her in-laws were not only deaf but also unable to communicate verbally. This discovery sparked a deep-seated fear within Cleva that their unborn child would inherit this condition.

Miraculously, the birth of Creighton brought solace, as the young boy emerged with the ability to hear. As Lon’s son grew up, the actor’s devotion to his family only intensified. However, the once-strong bond between Lon and Cleva began to fray, ultimately leading to a devastating discovery: Lon had begun a clandestine relationship with Hazel, a charming chorus girl who occasionally cared for Creighton. The revelation sent Cleva reeling, prompting a desperate attempt at self-destruction that sparked a minor scandal and brought an abrupt end to Lon’s vaudeville career.

With his world shattered, Lon found solace in the guidance of his press agent, Clarence Locan, who encouraged him to seek refuge in Hollywood. There, he discovered a new calling as a film extra, where his natural flair for character acting and mastery of makeup allowed him to blossom into an unrecognizable “Man of a Thousand Faces.” As his professional star rose, so did his personal life. Lon married Hazel, regaining custody of Creighton and rediscovering the joys of fatherhood.

As Lon’s stardom reaches new heights with the production of “Hunchback of Notre Dame”, a sudden interruption from his past threatens to upend his life. The reappearance of his ex-wife, Cleva, brings an unwelcome reminder of his complicated personal history, as she seeks a reunion with their son. Lon had previously deceived his friend Creighton into believing his mother was deceased, and now it seems that the truth has finally caught up with him. With a heavy heart, Creighton is forced to choose between his loyalty to Lon and his desire to reconnect with his estranged mother. The consequences of this difficult decision would have far-reaching repercussions for all parties involved.

Several years pass, and Lon’s career continues to flourish as he takes on the challenge of remaking an earlier film, “The Unholy Three”, which marks a significant milestone in his transition to sound-based filmmaking. However, amidst the excitement of this new project, Lon begins to experience strange symptoms that initially seem like nothing more than a minor annoyance - tonsillitis. But as his condition worsens, it becomes clear that something far more sinister is at play: bronchial cancer has taken hold.

As Lon’s health rapidly deteriorates, he takes the opportunity to reconcile with Creighton and make amends for past mistakes. In a poignant display of paternal love, Lon asks his son to bring him his makeup box one last time, and as he struggles to come to terms with his own mortality, he scrawls “Jr.” next to his name, leaving behind a final testament to the enduring legacy he hopes to leave.

In the aftermath of Lon’s passing, Creighton is left to ponder the weight of his father’s final wishes. He chooses to honor Lon’s memory by adopting his name and following in his footsteps, ensuring that the torch of artistic excellence remains burning bright for generations to come.