The Blackbird

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The Blackbird

1926

1h 16m

Crime

Drama

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3 Reviews

35%

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50+ Ratings

The Blackbird (Lon Chaney) is a bishop by day, but a world-class thief after nightfall. When he develops feelings for a sultry singer named Fifi Lorraine (Renée Adorée), he will stop at nothing to steal a diamond necklace that she covets. Unfortunately for him, West End Bertie (Owen Moore) has the same idea and beats him to the punch, stealing the jewels and the dame's heart. But The Blackbird won't give up without a fight -- and it threatens to reveal his other persona.

Variety Staff

Variety

It's a good melodrama, excellently produced. Chaney handles his two parts well and Waldemar Young's scenario has been so constructed that the rather unique dual role is plausible at all times.

Jun 29, 2011

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Stars the great Lon Chaney.

Rated: B-

Jun 5, 2023

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John Beifuss

Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

The movie tells a Jekyll-and-Hyde story, with criminal greed and opportunity replacing science as the catalyst of willing transformation.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 27, 2012

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joe m

Typical of the silent film era, "The Blackbird" tends to the overwrought, overly melodramatic and over long to compensate for no dialogue. Yet, it's pretty ok, mostly because of Lon Chaney's performance in the dual role of two brothers, the Bishop and the Blackbird. So, for that alone this film definitey deserves 1/2 a star extra.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

good silent melodrama

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Rather improbable tale (as many silents were) of a man being clever by leading two lives. A few brilliant scenes with a rather choppy storyline towards the end.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Audience Member

Rather convoluted Chaney/Browning vehicle; Chaney's physical transformation is amazing, as usual.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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bill t

Dull and heavyhanded tale that features Lon Chaney in two roles, as "twin" brothers, Bishop, a crippled missionary to the poor people of London, and his evil brother, known as Harry the Blackbird. But here's the catch, it's the same guy! There are no brothers! Why this is is never explained, and is thrown on the shelf after it's introduced early on and not referenced again until the end. Until that time, there is a not a bad story about the Blackbird and some other ne're-do-well fighting for a saloon girl. It's ok, but it's way too too bad that the weird "twin" thing is thrown away like that, it just distracts us and asks for more.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Tod Browning's silent crime melodrama is unfortunately not one of his better collaborations with screen icon Lon Chaney. Chaney is great, as usual, and the film creates some nice atmosphere and colorful characters - but the story is just too tedious, slow-paced, and stagey. There are a few effective, vintage-Browning scenes - particularly the ironic ending - but this effort lacks the lurid appeal of some of his other masterpieces.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

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Tod Browning

Director

Lon Chaney

The Blackbird

Renée Adorée

Fifi Lorraine

Owen Moore

West End Bertie

Doris Lloyd

Limehouse Polly

Ernie Adams

Bertie's No. 2 Man

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Synopsis

The Blackbird (Lon Chaney) is a bishop by day, but a world-class thief after nightfall. When he develops feelings for a sultry singer named Fifi Lorraine (Renée Adorée), he will stop at nothing to steal a diamond necklace that she covets. Unfortunately for him, West End Bertie (Owen Moore) has the same idea and beats him to the punch, stealing the jewels and the dame's heart. But The Blackbird won't give up without a fight -- and it threatens to reveal his other persona.

Director: Tod Browning
Screenwriter: Tod Browning, Waldemar Young
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 17, 2017
Runtime: 1h 16m

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