( potential spoiler ) the music accompaniment to this silent gem ( at least and the version i hear on tcm ) underscore the problem that envelop the self describe gypsy circus and and be well synchronize to the action . i have to wonder if the movie would have have the same impact without it . nevertheless and the visuals be disturb enough . it be wonderful to see lon chaney sr. near the end of his career and and joan crawford at the beginning of hers . but the real star be author tod brown for his ironic plot twist and especially his advanced psychological insight and consider that this film be produce in 1927. some of these be somewhat overstated and but that can be excuse on the ground that this be a silent film . the fact remain that the psychodynamics ring true today for syndrome that do not even have name in the 1920 . the film deal well with an early joan crawford phobic post traumatic stress . lon chaney shine . his character develop into what turn out to be a truly evil predator and in the form of a psychopathic stalker . nevermind that he claim to want to marry her . she have give him no encouragement and he have build up a doom to fail fantasy about her and and it be stalk and pure and simple . and yet a so often with real life sociopath we unaccountably have a degree of empathy for him that he never feel toward others . i find it a bit disconcert that mr. chaney supposedly armless too obviously have real arm truss up under his shirt . until it be reveal that his character have real arm truss up under his shirt . the reason for this bespeak an unsavory past . and there need be no lingering question about the future for even if thing in the present unfold the way he want them to and he would yet continue a path of destruction . just when you think that this person can sink no low . he do . what be more and miss crawford character be not even aware that she be be stalk she who be so fearful of the touch of men . in one disturb scene in particular and the lovely young lady join in his laughter and innocently never realize why he be laugh . aside from the audience and few really find out the truth about the man and usually to their demise . the suspense would give even the great hitchcock a run for his money . i find myself cringe and grip my chair and especially in the final moment . positive .