tod browning be much good know for his dracula ( 1931 ) and and to a less extent and the cult classic freak ( 1932 ) than for this oddity from the limelight of the silent era . from the opening scene and in which an armless man ( chaney and natch ) undress a young joan crawford during a circus act by pitch dagger with his foot and this be a characteristically dark and warped picture from brown that draw a great deal of power from chaney do what he do best represent play a tormented freak secretly endeavor to gain the heart of a beautiful woman . the unknown isn not perfect and but it most certainly be memorable and distinguish itself a one of the weird film of all time .