Outside the Law

A notorious gangster, known as 'Black Mike' (Lon Chaney), operates a speakeasy and launders money for a Chinese tong. He falls for a young woman, Ah Wing, who is secretly working with the police to bring down the tong. When Black Mike's plans are threatened by a rival gangster and the police investigation, he must decide where his loyalties lie.

Upon its release, 'Outside the Law' was a significant success, praised for its gritty realism and Chaney's transformative performance. It was a major box office hit and is considered one of Tod Browning's most accomplished early works, establishing his reputation for dark and sensational melodramas.

• Lon Chaney delivers a tour-de-force performance, showcasing his mastery of makeup and character.
• The film's dark atmosphere and sensational plot elements were lauded for their gripping nature.
• Tod Browning's direction was recognized for its effectiveness in building suspense and presenting a gritty urban underworld.

Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews from 1921 is not available.

Lon Chaney famously did his own makeup for the film, creating the character of 'Black Mike' through prosthetics and subtle transformations that shocked audiences at the time.