I’ve wanted to see it since I was a little kid in the ‘70’s, after seeing a picture of Chaney as the character in a book about movie monsters. It’s such a striking, creepy image.
In October of 2000 I spent 9 days and nights as a guest in Forry Ackerman’s house, and the room I slept in contained Chaney’s hat and teeth used in London After Midnight, at the foot of my bed. The teeth were suspended beneath the hat, as if some invisible head wore them, and they were in a plexiglass box. They made an interesting sight to wake up to each morning, and an eerie one to sleep with each night.
@@NordicDan I have one of myself and Forry in which I’m holding the teeth at his mouth, with the hat - I think - visible, and I’ll gladly post it for you! I’ve seen the display of the teeth with the hat in the clear box on the web somewhere, and I’ll look for that and share the link when I find it. Thanks for your interest!
Basically Chaney's character face is why anyone knows this film. Even in the 80s when I read books or magazines about horror movies, there were photos of the guy and his teeth.
I have written a book on the fiend from London After Midnight, I have brought him into the modern day era I spent over a year writing it I am in the process of looking for a literary agent but no luck yet.
the re-creation is the closest to the film we'd get, but. it could get a full animated remake and surely there's 1 copy out there. They found the Thomas Edison Frankenstein, Reconstructed METROPOLIS, the deleted scenes of Event Horizon are on youtube (the Producer is said to have the workprint on VHS) so it's likely London after midnight is in someone's possession
When one considers that the original typescript of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” once considered lost, was found in a barn in Pennsylvania, is it beyond reason to hope that a copy of “London After Midnight” will one day show up somewhere? And while we’re on the subject, the Theda Bara “Cleopatra”?
I never made the '92 Penguin / Man in the Beaverskin Hat connection... but I see it now and entirely agree. Tim Burton being who he is, there is no doubt in my mind that he based the character's look on the Chaney original. Thanks for an excellent video about my favorite film that I have never seen!
Growing up, my dad had a model kit that he made of this character and he would always tell me what it was, but unlike all the other Hollywood black and white monster films, we never watched this movie. Now I know why.
There have been a number of previously lost films where a copy has been found forgotten in somebody's attic after they pass away. Maybe this will eventually turn up.
Forrest Ackerman saw it when he was a kid, and his opinion was that it's better off lost, because if modern audiences saw it, they'd laugh it off the screen. Chaney's walking style, as the Man in the beaver hat, to later audiences, would remind folks more of Groucho Marx, and turn the whole film into a screwball comedy.
Lon Chaney did something like 114 films for Universal and only 4 or so still exist in there entirety .. Lost Lon Chaney films are nothing new .. London After Midnight is just at the top of the list of his lost films that need to be found .. if I am lucky I have another 30 or 40 years of living left to me , I hope its found in that time..
The elite probably has most of those originals just like the books in the library of Alexandria. It is easier to rewrite history that way. There were big changes in 1965.
Reminds me a lot of the hatbox ghost, who ironically has a similar story to London After Midnight was removed very shortly after the rides opening due to the effect not working leaving the character to gain some fame within disney fan circles eventually leading to disney eventually adding a modernized animatronic hatbox ghost to the ride. The resemblance is very noticeable
Tod Browning remade the movie as Mark of the Vampire. Its not that great of a movie. The photoplay presentation of London After Midnight is as close as we will get.
The remake with Bela is mediocre so its probably not a great movie. I'd still love to see it if it ever turns up, maybe in a shed with the missing reels from The Magnificent Ambersons
Impossible because MGM did not permit the showing of their films on TV for decades until the 1980s, and they certainly wouldn't have been silent films.
I’ve wanted to see it since I was a little kid in the ‘70’s, after seeing a picture of Chaney as the character in a book about movie monsters. It’s such a striking, creepy image.
In October of 2000 I spent 9 days and nights as a guest in Forry Ackerman’s house, and the room I slept in contained Chaney’s hat and teeth used in London After Midnight, at the foot of my bed. The teeth were suspended beneath the hat, as if some invisible head wore them, and they were in a plexiglass box. They made an interesting sight to wake up to each morning, and an eerie one to sleep with each night.
Please tell us you got a photo and have it posted somewhere
@@NordicDan I have one of myself and Forry in which I’m holding the teeth at his mouth, with the hat - I think - visible, and I’ll gladly post it for you! I’ve seen the display of the teeth with the hat in the clear box on the web somewhere, and I’ll look for that and share the link when I find it. Thanks for your interest!
@@NordicDan IMPRESSIVE. we have to protect these cultural treasures.
Basically Chaney's character face is why anyone knows this film. Even in the 80s when I read books or magazines about horror movies, there were photos of the guy and his teeth.
RIP a lost classic Great video. thanjs for posting
That which is LOST can be found again, OR rebuilt.
It's sad that the film is lost 😥
I have written a book on the fiend from London After Midnight, I have brought him into the modern day era I spent over a year writing it I am in the process of looking for a literary agent but no luck yet.
This is valuable. It's a piece of our shared cultural heritage.
the re-creation is the closest to the film we'd get, but. it could get a full animated remake and surely there's 1 copy out there. They found the Thomas Edison Frankenstein, Reconstructed METROPOLIS, the deleted scenes of Event Horizon are on youtube (the Producer is said to have the workprint on VHS) so it's likely London after midnight is in someone's possession
I hope someday, somewhere a print will be found.🤔😞😞😞
I love Lon Chaney. So talented!!
When one considers that the original typescript of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” once considered lost, was found in a barn in Pennsylvania, is it beyond reason to hope that a copy of “London After Midnight” will one day show up somewhere? And while we’re on the subject, the Theda Bara “Cleopatra”?
I never made the '92 Penguin / Man in the Beaverskin Hat connection... but I see it now and entirely agree. Tim Burton being who he is, there is no doubt in my mind that he based the character's look on the Chaney original. Thanks for an excellent video about my favorite film that I have never seen!
TIM BURTON. When ?
Tod Browning actually remade this himself as MARK OF THE VAMPIRE in 1935 with Bela Lugosi.
There are many photographs of this film - with a new musical soundtrack could it be animated (much like early Dr.Who's)
Growing up, my dad had a model kit that he made of this character and he would always tell me what it was, but unlike all the other Hollywood black and white monster films, we never watched this movie.
Now I know why.
I saw that TCM reconstruction. Not bad!!!
Lon Chaney is the first cinematic genius actor to ever be committed to film ..
Obviously not likely but, If anyone still has a print somewhere they are flat out jerks for not releasing it to the public.
I'm sure if someone has it, they're unaware of it.
@@leamanc I think so too - because otherwise it could have made him a bundle! 😉
There have been a number of previously lost films where a copy has been found forgotten in somebody's attic after they pass away. Maybe this will eventually turn up.
I’m sure there’s copies of most “lost” movies out there somewhere. A lot of people just don’t realize what they own.
Forrest Ackerman saw it when he was a kid, and his opinion was that it's better off lost, because if modern audiences saw it, they'd laugh it off the screen. Chaney's walking style, as the Man in the beaver hat, to later audiences, would remind folks more of Groucho Marx, and turn the whole film into a screwball comedy.
Most silent movies are lost. They had no uses after talkies became the dominant art form.
I wouldn’t say it was a cult film, it was a mainstream Hollywood release.
Lon Chaney did something like 114 films for Universal and only 4 or so still exist in there entirety .. Lost Lon Chaney films are nothing new .. London After Midnight is just at the top of the list of his lost films that need to be found .. if I am lucky I have another 30 or 40 years of living left to me , I hope its found in that time..
ALWAYS have wanted to see this.
How does it have a cult following if nobody has seen it?
The elite probably has most of those originals just like the books in the library of Alexandria. It is easier to rewrite history that way. There were big changes in 1965.
Phineas, one of the Hitchhiking Ghosts in the Haunted Mansion, looks like he was based on the Man in the Beaver Hat.
Reminds me a lot of the hatbox ghost, who ironically has a similar story to London After Midnight was removed very shortly after the rides opening due to the effect not working leaving the character to gain some fame within disney fan circles eventually leading to disney eventually adding a modernized animatronic hatbox ghost to the ride. The resemblance is very noticeable
@@andygravelle2202 I concede your point. Also, all three of them bear a resemblance to the traditional representation of Jack the Ripper.
Ozzy Osborne; the Younger Years (lol)
Lon Chaney is pretty scary in this movie.
Is that really the definition of a cult film?
Inspired Zom-b from class of 1812 pinball too.
7:01 Nope. Penguin here was mostly like Dr. Mabuse. Right down to the jacket, manacle, and coat.
Shit man is that jimmy
Tod Browning remade the movie as Mark of the Vampire. Its not that great of a movie. The photoplay presentation of London After Midnight is as close as we will get.
The remake with Bela is mediocre so its probably not a great movie. I'd still love to see it if it ever turns up, maybe in a shed with the missing reels from The Magnificent Ambersons
remakes are generally mediocre, Rarely are they GOOD.
I just wanted to be view number 666
AI will eventually remake it.
Honestly, Lon Chaney looks even more cool here. But a story of a vampire that wasn't? No thanks. Would have wished it was a real vampire story.
you can get one of those anywhere.
@plasticweapon yeah, but this would have been one of the best/scariest looking ones. Lon Chaney!
I have a copy. I recorded it on a vhs back in 71’. Honest.
Nope.
Impossible because MGM did not permit the showing of their films on TV for decades until the 1980s, and they certainly wouldn't have been silent films.
😂😂😂 Sure.
I doubt it - because if you had the chance to record it on a vhs so would many others.
Neat trick considering VHS players weren't invented until 1976 and didn't hit the states until 1977.