Lon Chaney is a police plain clothes detective who is out to get criminal Wheeler Oakman while trying to keep Anita Page and Carroll Nye on the straight and narrow. The one movie where he almost gets the girl. Nice New York locale and humorous Joe Farnham titles.
6 Reviews
A victim of nitrate decomposition
MissSimonetta30 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Were this film intact, there might be a good chance I could rate it 8 out of 10, but in its current form, it's hard to fully evaluate the story and characters. Several supporting characters (the ones played by Mae Busch and Polly Moran in particular) seem to have whole scenes missing, and the key scenes often have large chunks gone. For example, one character is killed by the bad guy, but we have no clue how she died-- she just ends up dead in a car on the way to court. Is that a plot hole or the inevitable result of a lost bit of footage?
It's a shame because WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS appears to be a fun gangster romp with Chaney giving a lived-in performance as an Irish-American gumshoe. While the obligatory unrequited love subplot is a bit icky (Anita Page was a minor when they filmed it and the age difference is very, very obvious), the rest of the story is good fun, full of shoot-outs and deception. As a big Chaney fan, I would love to see the whole thing or at least a restoration which tells the viewer what information is missing.
It's a shame because WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS appears to be a fun gangster romp with Chaney giving a lived-in performance as an Irish-American gumshoe. While the obligatory unrequited love subplot is a bit icky (Anita Page was a minor when they filmed it and the age difference is very, very obvious), the rest of the story is good fun, full of shoot-outs and deception. As a big Chaney fan, I would love to see the whole thing or at least a restoration which tells the viewer what information is missing.
Chaney plays a convincing police detective in an enjoyable drama
blakemf30 January 2000
Once again, Lon Chaney cast his makeup case aside and played a no-nonsense NY police detective, out to nail a murderer.
He's all business and Chaney LOOKS like an old-time detective. From the way he holds his gun to his wardrobe, it all looks like the real thing. And he even displays some great comedy touches in this film.
Look for the newly completed (April 1928) L.A. City Hall is a scene where Chaney goes over the rooftops. It is a crackerjack of a picture and Chaney is in top form!
He's all business and Chaney LOOKS like an old-time detective. From the way he holds his gun to his wardrobe, it all looks like the real thing. And he even displays some great comedy touches in this film.
Look for the newly completed (April 1928) L.A. City Hall is a scene where Chaney goes over the rooftops. It is a crackerjack of a picture and Chaney is in top form!
Lon Chaney in an underrated gem
DarthVoorhees12 October 2008
Warning: Spoilers
While the City Sleeps is a tough picture to find but if you have the chance it is worth it. Lon Chaney gives one of his great character performances as Dan Callahan, a no nonsense Irish cop who is determined to put Mile Away Skeeter in prison for his constant disregard for the law. He befriends a 1920's flapper named Myrtle whom the three male characters in the story are infatuated with. Myrtle loves a kid named Marty who joins Mile Away's gang to give her the luxury he thinks she wants. Dan likes Marty and Myrtle and doesn't want them to grow up in this corrupt city. There is action and tension and romance in this early blue print for the Cagney gangster picture.
While the City Sleeps is better because of the fact that it is current. New York City is as it would look in this time down to the old dingy Hamburger diner. Chaney plays a contemporary character in a major metropolitan city and I ate this up. I love the 20's as a social backdrop and this film is fun for the eye who looks. There is a terrific little scene where Dan has Myrtle in his lap looking at the dresses, he shrugs off the fact saying he is just too old fashioned. There are actually some spectacular shots showing the roof tops and the buildings and basically the backdrop of the city as it would have looked in 1928
Lon Chaney gives one of his best character performances as Dan. This character bleeds testosterone and is Chaney's best male lead after Tell it to the Marines. One thing you have to say about Chaney is that he was extremely versatile. He plays characters with similar traits in everyone of his pictures, a lover from afar but he is able to make each of them unique individuals. The mannerisms and facial expressions never stay the same in each picture, in a large way the silent film was made for a performer like Chaney. Poor Lon is all ways the best man and never the groom, Dan is a likable guy and the final scenes are sad because I wish he had ended up with Myrtle. Chaney is able to express so much in that final scene, sure he looks a little sad or disappointed but he still has the fire to tell Marty if you treat her wrong he'll break his neck.
While the City Sleeps is better because of the fact that it is current. New York City is as it would look in this time down to the old dingy Hamburger diner. Chaney plays a contemporary character in a major metropolitan city and I ate this up. I love the 20's as a social backdrop and this film is fun for the eye who looks. There is a terrific little scene where Dan has Myrtle in his lap looking at the dresses, he shrugs off the fact saying he is just too old fashioned. There are actually some spectacular shots showing the roof tops and the buildings and basically the backdrop of the city as it would have looked in 1928
Lon Chaney gives one of his best character performances as Dan. This character bleeds testosterone and is Chaney's best male lead after Tell it to the Marines. One thing you have to say about Chaney is that he was extremely versatile. He plays characters with similar traits in everyone of his pictures, a lover from afar but he is able to make each of them unique individuals. The mannerisms and facial expressions never stay the same in each picture, in a large way the silent film was made for a performer like Chaney. Poor Lon is all ways the best man and never the groom, Dan is a likable guy and the final scenes are sad because I wish he had ended up with Myrtle. Chaney is able to express so much in that final scene, sure he looks a little sad or disappointed but he still has the fire to tell Marty if you treat her wrong he'll break his neck.
A Tribute to the Plain Clothes Men
kidboots20 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This would have been a feather in the cap for any fledgling actress, a part, however small, in a prestigious Lon Chaney production. Anita Page originally started as an extra at Paramount studios, she caught the eye of millionaire Harry K. Thaw but the film he planned was never made and MGM eventually bought out her contract. Even this early in her career there is a scene toward the end that requires some heavy dramatics and Anita proves she is up to it - which poses the question yet again, why didn't MGM persevere with her as an actress. Maybe her beauty got in the way!!
This is a tribute to the "plain clothes men" - the part of the police force who infiltrate the tough New York gangs to observe and remember their faces for future reference. Tough Dan Coghlan (Chaney), an old school policeman who finds it easier to catch flies with mud than with honey, is disgusted that once again arch criminal "Mile Away" Skeeter (Wheeler Oakman) is allowed to walk free from the station through lack of evidence. The "I'm going to quit!!" title is followed by a race to the scene of the latest murder - only to find Skeeter is there already!! He says he has now gone legit with the undertaking business but that is only a front for a daring series of fur robberies and giving his old moll Bessie (Mae Busch) the air may prove his undoing!!! Dan feeds her resentment until she is eager to talk but unfortunately she doesn't make it to the witness stand!!
Skeeter has his eye on pretty Myrtle (Anita Page) but Dan is determined to keep her clean, just like her old man would have wanted. Enter Marty (Carroll Nye), like Myrtle another good kid going to the bad but the boy she really loves. Skeeter has plans to get Marty out of the way permanently but by hiding in a coffin Dan gets the dope on the fur robbery. He surprises Marty at the warehouse and with the aid of a mannequin by the open window shows the boy what Skeeter and his gang had planned.
It is an action packed film but really no stretch for Lon who without make-up adds another portrayal to his esteemed gallery. As Dan he has fallen hopelessly in love with Myrtle but his reason for forcing Marty to leave the city is because he just thinks the boy is a ne'er do well. This was an often repeated theme in some films of the twenties - the older guardian who falls in love with his ward. Dan wasn't related to Myrtle but he did look out for her and was a trusted family friend, fortunately she didn't return his affection in that way and by the end Marty returned, eager to claim Myrtle and to shake his "real" friend's hand for putting him on the right path.
In between times there is plenty of gun play, shoot outs. Myrtle is supposed to be put "out of the picture" and there are several scenes of what must be one of the first machine gun battles in the movies and both sides had the sophisticated weaponry at their disposal.
Very Recommended.
This is a tribute to the "plain clothes men" - the part of the police force who infiltrate the tough New York gangs to observe and remember their faces for future reference. Tough Dan Coghlan (Chaney), an old school policeman who finds it easier to catch flies with mud than with honey, is disgusted that once again arch criminal "Mile Away" Skeeter (Wheeler Oakman) is allowed to walk free from the station through lack of evidence. The "I'm going to quit!!" title is followed by a race to the scene of the latest murder - only to find Skeeter is there already!! He says he has now gone legit with the undertaking business but that is only a front for a daring series of fur robberies and giving his old moll Bessie (Mae Busch) the air may prove his undoing!!! Dan feeds her resentment until she is eager to talk but unfortunately she doesn't make it to the witness stand!!
Skeeter has his eye on pretty Myrtle (Anita Page) but Dan is determined to keep her clean, just like her old man would have wanted. Enter Marty (Carroll Nye), like Myrtle another good kid going to the bad but the boy she really loves. Skeeter has plans to get Marty out of the way permanently but by hiding in a coffin Dan gets the dope on the fur robbery. He surprises Marty at the warehouse and with the aid of a mannequin by the open window shows the boy what Skeeter and his gang had planned.
It is an action packed film but really no stretch for Lon who without make-up adds another portrayal to his esteemed gallery. As Dan he has fallen hopelessly in love with Myrtle but his reason for forcing Marty to leave the city is because he just thinks the boy is a ne'er do well. This was an often repeated theme in some films of the twenties - the older guardian who falls in love with his ward. Dan wasn't related to Myrtle but he did look out for her and was a trusted family friend, fortunately she didn't return his affection in that way and by the end Marty returned, eager to claim Myrtle and to shake his "real" friend's hand for putting him on the right path.
In between times there is plenty of gun play, shoot outs. Myrtle is supposed to be put "out of the picture" and there are several scenes of what must be one of the first machine gun battles in the movies and both sides had the sophisticated weaponry at their disposal.
Very Recommended.
A rare treat
www112523 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I had a lot of trouble hunting this movie down, and now that I finally found and watched it, I'm beyond happy. The film is a crime drama, kinda like Outside the Law, but this time instead of a mob boss, Lon Chaney is a detective, and a really good one. I don't just mean in the film's world, I mean he really fits the no nonsense role perfectly. Heck, he honestly reminds me of a good friend I had that was on the force, and lost his life to a mobster with a grudge. Chaney's mannerisms are very very similar to how my friend acted, which perhaps made the film even more enjoyable for me as it brought back happy memories. The movie never gets dull, especially with a big climactic shootout at the end that's just thrilling. Honestly, the only real few was the character Marty, I just found him to be a pain in the butt, and didn't like seeing him get the girl in the end. Beyond that, this is s perfect little drama that nicely shows New York in the 20s. I love it.
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