Seven years before Von Sternberg made what seems to be the most acclaimed silent crime film, and sometimes referred to as the first gangster picture - 'Underworld' - Wallace Worsley made 'The Penalty', a much better film about the secret service attempting to halt the mysterious evil workings of an underworld head figure in San Francisco.
Lon Chaney plays the head figure - who is one of the most superbly acted, and utterly despicable characters put to screen. Having both legs amputated above the knee at a young age, Chaney, who gets around on crutches, seeks to slyfully use evil to obtain as much power as possible. He does so by controlling an organized safety net around him, so that despite his physical liabilities, he has a commanding, all powerful presence, which he is not afraid to use for theft, murder and the abuse of women, amongst other things. Considering I first saw Chaney as the sad, compassionate neglected clown of 'He Who Gets Slapped' the transformation here is incredible. For modern audiences, he is perhaps most comparable to Jack Nicholson's more manic roles.
Religious themes run throughout the film as Chaney takes pride in considering himself Satan personified. When a female sculptor posts an advertisement for a Satan model, Chaney ensures he is the only applicant, and we get the apt title card comparing his character to the mangled Satan who once thrown from Heaven, seeks to gain all the power of Hell. After a start that is a little slow, the hate filled tension slowly builds nicely as various players get caught up in his web. You never know what his intention is, but you know it won't end well.
The final plot twists were a clever way to bring about forgiveness and karma - but for a man whose evil resided primarily in his crafty intelligence, an awful lot seemed to be left to chance - unbelievably so.
Lon Chaney plays the head figure - who is one of the most superbly acted, and utterly despicable characters put to screen. Having both legs amputated above the knee at a young age, Chaney, who gets around on crutches, seeks to slyfully use evil to obtain as much power as possible. He does so by controlling an organized safety net around him, so that despite his physical liabilities, he has a commanding, all powerful presence, which he is not afraid to use for theft, murder and the abuse of women, amongst other things. Considering I first saw Chaney as the sad, compassionate neglected clown of 'He Who Gets Slapped' the transformation here is incredible. For modern audiences, he is perhaps most comparable to Jack Nicholson's more manic roles.
Religious themes run throughout the film as Chaney takes pride in considering himself Satan personified. When a female sculptor posts an advertisement for a Satan model, Chaney ensures he is the only applicant, and we get the apt title card comparing his character to the mangled Satan who once thrown from Heaven, seeks to gain all the power of Hell. After a start that is a little slow, the hate filled tension slowly builds nicely as various players get caught up in his web. You never know what his intention is, but you know it won't end well.
The final plot twists were a clever way to bring about forgiveness and karma - but for a man whose evil resided primarily in his crafty intelligence, an awful lot seemed to be left to chance - unbelievably so.