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OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 1161

The Unholy Three

193072 minUnited States

Video edition: Wikimedia Commons
Original language: English
This copy runs: 72:00
Subtitles: No subtitle track in this language

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · Jack Conway · Public domain

Synopsis

A ventriloquist, a strongman and a fellow sideshow performer disguise themselves as a family running a pet shop. Information gathered from customers supports their robberies. When two members commit a murder, their attempt to blame an innocent clerk threatens both the gang and the ventriloquist's romantic loyalties.

Cast

Lon Chaney

Lila Lee

Elliott Nugent

Harry Earles

DirectorsJack Conway

Historical context

Lon Chaney returns to a role from the 1925 silent adaptation of Tod Robbins's novel. The remake was his only talking film and his final screen appearance, giving audiences an unusual opportunity to hear a performer famous for physical transformation.

Sources and availability

General references identify the work and its copy. A reference beside an editorial section is linked to the claims checked in that section.

Wikipedia — film reference Wikidata — film identity and credits

Work catalogued as public domain in the United States.

The public-domain references concern the original films in the United States. Rights can differ for other countries, editions, restorations, music or translations. Sources are listed on each film page.

Availability checked on September 15, 2026.

Photograph credit

Photographs cropped, resized and optimized as WebP, displayed in monochrome.

Lon Chaney — Unknown author · Public domain
Lila Lee — Edwin Bower Hesser; Picture-Play Magazine , vol. 18, no. 5. July, 1923 https://archive.org/details/pictureplaymagaz18unse/page/n511/mode/2up · Public domain
Elliott Nugent — MGM; eBay card · Public domain

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