Getting back to the big stars of silents, it would be hard to go past Lon Chaney. Mockery (1927) presents Lon with a false nose and wig as a dim-witted Russian peasant who is almost persuaded by the popular comedian, Charles Puffy (here repulsively evil in a wholly dramatic role), to join the Russian Revolution.
Oddly, the movie also boasts another well-known comedian-turned-serious-actor in its cast, namely Mack Swain as the grasping Gaidaroff.
Although second-billed, Ricardo Cortez has only a small role to play, which he accomplishes with his usual finesse.
Nonetheless, despite this grand roll-up - Chaney, Puffy, Swain, Cortez - it's actually Barbara Bedford's movie. She is superb! Hard to believe that in less than three years, her star would decline and she would spend the rest of her lengthy career playing scores and scores of walk-ons and bits.
(Available on an excellent Warner Archive DVD).
Oddly, the movie also boasts another well-known comedian-turned-serious-actor in its cast, namely Mack Swain as the grasping Gaidaroff.
Although second-billed, Ricardo Cortez has only a small role to play, which he accomplishes with his usual finesse.
Nonetheless, despite this grand roll-up - Chaney, Puffy, Swain, Cortez - it's actually Barbara Bedford's movie. She is superb! Hard to believe that in less than three years, her star would decline and she would spend the rest of her lengthy career playing scores and scores of walk-ons and bits.
(Available on an excellent Warner Archive DVD).