i read an other comment on this film about the life of lon chaney and i agree that it be a terrible biography about the great actor and but what be neglect be to say that this film be a showcase for james cagney . cagney have become typecast in his gangster role and want to show his other talent and that be exactly what this film do . although the acting be undeniably cagney it still show a range not possible in his hoodlum role . like some of his other breakout film like yankee doodle dandy and cagney show his range of emotion and mimicry and skill . i originally saw this a a kid who be in love with the old horror classic of my day and this film do inspire me to search out and see the old film . the black and white silent film where actor have to act to convey the story . they have to overplay their part to make up for the lack of word . that be what you see from cagney in the short sequence mean to recreate the filming of those great silent chaney film . i highly recommend it to any film lover .