The Shadow of Silk Lennox

This early crime film starring Lon Chaney Jr. isn't too good. It's about a gangster who owns a nightclub and uses this as an alibi for the crimes he commits. It's a thoroughly uninspired movie, with little to recommend it. It's an early Chaney performance, so for his fans it at least provides an early glimpse of the man in action. Along with another early Chaney film from the same time, Scream in the Night, it doesn't offer too much though. He wasn't a star name at the time so he had to star in these old Poverty Row movies to help get his career moving I guess. The most distinctive thing about this production was probably the songs and the dance routines, which while not exactly special they did offer something different at least.

Veteran screenwriter Oliver Drake tells us, in his autobiography, that he was asked by producer Ray Kirkwood to take a break from writing screenplays for Kirkwood's series of Bill Cody westerns, and to generate some stories for a series starring Creighton Chaney, to be henceforth billed as Lon Chaney, Jr. Mr. Drake acquiesced, but was interrupted by a case of influenza. Upon his recovery, he found that others were busily writing the Chaney stories, but only two films were produced before Kirkwood's career as a producer concluded, "The Shadow of Silk Lennox" being one of them.

It is a leisurely-paced feature, with Kirkwood himself credited as director - but Jack Nelson, veteran director and actor, is usually credited as co-director, though neither gentleman succeeded in injecting much movement into the proceedings. Lon Chaney, Jr. Performs well in a decidedly unsympathetic role, while veteran Jack Mulhall provides good support. Others in the cast have little to work with in this tale of a villainous night club proprietor who has succeeded in avoiding prosecution for his activities as a gangster. Dean Benton provides some pleasant songs. Specialty dancer/actress Marie Burton - niece of actor/director Lowell Sherman - is seen here as a night club entertainer.

As part of a proposed series starring Chaney, the script for this one does not provide the lead character with either an appealing role or an uplifting denouement.

Shadow of Silk Lennox, The (1935)

* 1/2 (out of 4)

Static gangster picture has Lon Chaney, Jr. leading a gang but his latest crime might just get him pinched even though he's trying to look legit by running a nightclub. This film has an ultra low-budget and it doesn't help matters that the main star was just getting his acting chops together and comes off pretty badly. The gunfights are all rather lame and boring and the musical numbers are even worse. For Chaney fans only.

You can find this film through various public domain labels.

"A nightclub owner is secretly the leader of a criminal gang and he uses his nightclub operation as a cover for his illegal activities. His latest caper threatens to expose his entire operation when one of his criminal associates ends up being killed. Now our gang leader/nightclub owner must try to keep his unwitting accomplices from exposing his true activities, even if it means killing them in the process," according to the DVD sleeve's synopsis.

Lon Chaney Jr. (before "Of Mice and Men") literally try to grin and bear it. "Song and dance man" Dean Benton (before "Cocaine Fiends") contributes a few self-composed songs, done quite well for a 1930s style. Marie Burton does a Garbo ("Mata Hari") type dance. Ray Turner plays racially offensive character. There are some cool Los Angeles area locations, with telephone poles, old cars, and a landmark (the "Red Lion" gas station) visible in the distance.

** The Shadow of Silk Lennox (12/35) Ray Kirkwood ~ Lon Chaney Jr., Dean Benton, Marie Burton

Is this a good crime-drama? It's OK, it's not that bad - but it's not the best crime-drama of the 1930s by any means. It is a good film to have for those collecting Lon Chaney Jr memorabilia/films or older crime-dramas.

There are some comical moments in the movie, some singing in it (which is not all that great), a so-so crime story, some OK actors and Lon Chaney Jr - who is actually fun to watch in this movie. Really Chaney is the best thing about this film.

The film is not a snooze fest but it's nothing to get excited over - it's a mediocre film that Creighton/Lon Chaney Jr starred in before he became famous. Worth it for Chaney Jr. collectors.

5/10