Where to Watch The Unknown (1927) in the UK

What it's about

Alonzo is an armless knife thrower and gun shooter for a circus---or so he appears. He is actually a criminal with his arms intact. He and his accomplice, Cojo (a little person), are hiding from the police. Alonzo views his disguise as perfect, especially since it keeps from view an unusual deformity of his left hand that would immediately give him away as the criminal the police are searching for. Nanon, the daughter of Zanzi, the circus owner, is the target in his act. Although Alonzo is in love with her, Nanon's father despises him. Malabar, the circus strong man, is attracted to Nanon but she is repulsed by his uninhibited sexual advances and desire to touch and hold her. Her phobia extends to the touch of any man's hand. Alonzo feeds her fears in the hopes that Nanon will fall in love with him since he is "armless." Because Zanzi discovers Alonzo really has arms, Alonzo kills him, but Nanon witnesses the killing without seeing Alonzo's face; however, she does see the telltale deformity of his left hand. As Alonzo continues to plot to steal Nanon away from Mirabar, Cojo makes him realize that she will hate him once she discovers he has arms---and the deformity showing that he is her father's murderer. Alonzo decides to have both his arms amputated, which he succeeds in doing through blackmailing a surgeon. While Alonzo is away recuperating from the surgery, Nanon gets over her fear of being touched and falls completely in love with Mirabar. Discovering this upon his return, Alonzo hatches a scheme to kill Mirabar as he attempts his latest, most dangerous stunt.

Cast and crew

Director

Tod Browning

Writer

Tod Browning, Waldemar Young, Joseph Farnham

Starring

Lon Chaney, Norman Kerry, Joan Crawford

Details

Release date

Jun 4, 1927

Language

None, English

Country

United States

Awards

2 wins & 2 nominations

Where to Watch The Unknown (1927) in the UK — common questions

Where to watch The Unknown in the United Kingdom?

We have not confirmed a streaming, rental, or purchase option for The Unknown in the United Kingdom.

Can I stream The Unknown or do I have to rent it in the United Kingdom?

We have not confirmed a subscription, rental, or purchase option for The Unknown in the United Kingdom.

Can I watch The Unknown for free in the United Kingdom?

We have not confirmed a free option for The Unknown in the United Kingdom.