Silent horror cinema has suffered devastating losses over the decades, with many masterpieces lost forever due to negligence, decay, and tragic accidents. Among them are several films starring the legendary Lon Chaney, including Blind Bargain (1922), a tale of science gone wrong that saw Chaney in dual roles as the sinister Dr. Arthur Lamb and his grotesque assistant, the Ape Man.
The film, originally released by Goldwyn Pictures, already faced intense scrutiny from censors uncomfortable with its themes of “doctors creating artificial life and attempting to play God.” After MGM absorbed Goldwyn, the studio destroyed the film’s original negative, and the last known print was likely lost in the infamous 1965 fire at MGM’s Vault #7—an event that also claimed London After Midnight and other vital pieces of Chaney’s legacy.
While A Blind Bargain has been absent from the world for over a century, director Paul Bunnell is bringing its spirit back to life with a modern reimagining, updating its setting to the 1970s. The project is part of a growing trend of silent-era horror revivals, following Robert Eggers’ highly anticipated Nosferatu remake, signaling a renewed appreciation for the eerie, atmospheric storytelling of early cinema.
Based on Barry Pain’s novel The Octave of Claudius, this new A Blind Bargain follows a desperate young man who strikes a nightmarish deal with an unhinged doctor, offering his own mother as a test subject for the physician’s grotesque experiments.
Leading the cast, Crispin Glover (American Gods) steps into the role once made famous by Chaney, bringing his own brand of eerie intensity to the dual performances. The film also stars Jake Horowitz (Bones and All), Lucy Loken (My Teacher, My Obsession), Annalisa Cochrane (Cobra Kai), Amy Wright (The Amityville Horror), Sean Whalen (The People Under the Stairs), Jed Rowen (Blind), and Rob Mayes (John Dies at the End).
Bunnell co-wrote the screenplay with John Falotico, based on a story by Bing Bailey. The film was produced by Bunnell and Bailey, with Falotico serving as executive producer. Additional production credits include John Duffy (co-producer), Mayte Calzacorta (associate producer), Ace Underhill (associate executive producer), and Ivan Joel Vega (line producer).
Speaking about the project, Bunnell stated, “I wanted to make A Blind Bargain feel like it could have been an episode of Rod Serling’s Night Gallery, and I believe I have achieved this to my satisfaction.”
As the silent-era horror revival gains momentum, projects like A Blind Bargain serve as a tribute to the lost artistry of early cinema, ensuring that the eerie, dreamlike terror of films like Chaney’s will continue to haunt new generations.