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The Blackbird

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Tomatometer 4 Reviews 35% Popcornmeter 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.

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The Blackbird

Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety 06/29/2011
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. Go to Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia Jun 2
5/10
Chaney's performance is somewhat credible as the man with the split personality, but overall, Browning's silent melodrama falls short on narrative depth. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 06/05/2023
B-
Stars the great Lon Chaney. Go to Full Review John Beifuss Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) 06/27/2012
3/4
The movie tells a Jekyll-and-Hyde story, with criminal greed and opportunity replacing science as the catalyst of willing transformation. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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11/03/2015 good silent melodrama See more 11/14/2013 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. See more 07/31/2013 Rather convoluted Chaney/Browning vehicle; Chaney's physical transformation is amazing, as usual. See more bill t @Spuzz 03/25/2011 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. See more 11/18/2008 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. See more 11/04/2008 Nice double, (really triple) role for Chaney - but a little pacey. See more Read all reviews
The Blackbird

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Blackbird

The Blackbird (1926) The Blackbird (1926) View more photos

Movie Info

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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