The Shadow of Silk Lennox

1935's "The Shadow of Silk Lennox" offered the 29 year old Creighton Chaney top billing for the very first time, having just changed his name to match that of his famous father Lon Chaney, first credited with the Jr. In "Accent on Youth." Ray Kirkwood's Commodore Pictures was the first company to bank on the Chaney name, signing the youngster to a 24 picture contract that only resulted in two long out of circulation titles, this film rejected for its glorification of the underworld, the next ("Scream in the Night") sitting on a shelf for 8 years until Astor Pictures acquired it following his Universal stardom in "The Wolf Man." The part of John Arthur Lennox, nicknamed 'Silk' for his trademark phrase 'fine as silk' (not to mention a fancy dresser), was that of a ruthless crime boss yet quite affable in mixed company, using his own nightclub to provide a perfect alibi for authorities while his gang commits a daring bank robbery. The inability to recover the stolen money leads to complications that prove his undoing, particularly the murder of a cheating confederate. Chaney acquits himself well in what would be an atypical role, soon to be typecast as wicked henchmen rather than the big boss, and overall it proves superior to "Scream in the Night."

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

While I have a weak spot for any film Lon Chaney is in, this has to rate as one of the worst. Chaney plays Silk Lennox a night club owner and gangster who manipulates people and situations in order to have perfect alibi's for the crimes he commits.

I will survive bad movies if they at least move, but here is a film thats barely an hour long, that is so awfully slow that it feels like its nine or ten times long than its running time. The problem is not in the cast, which is game up and down the line, but rather in the direction which requires nothing from the camera other than to have it shoot what its pointed at, the sequences are staged in seeming long takes akin to something from the stage, and the action is unimaginative. The script is worse with some awful contrivances used to move the plot along.

I unfortunately subjected myself to this movie twice when a copy I had was damaged and I had to return it after watching only 20 minutes. When I watched the replacement I quickly realized that it was better not to know the end than have to struggle through this movie.

Don't let Silk steal your time.

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.

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.