The Penalty (1920 film)

thumb The Penalty is a 1920 film about a criminal mastermind who plans to seek revenge on the doctor who mistakenly amputated his legs. Directed by Wallace Worsley. Written by Charles Kenyon, based on a novel by Gouverneur Morris. Blizzard, master of San Francisco's underworld, legless, deformed--the weirdest character ever presented on the screen--you'll never forget him.  (taglines) Blizzard Fate chained me to evil, for that I must pay the Penalty. - That is a great puzzle. Perhaps I am going to see it solved. [to Barbara] Some excellent judges think that I resemble Satan. Do I look like Satan? Before I am through with her and her father, they'll think I'm the devil himself. Laughter burns a cripple like acid. Once before a woman surfeited me with her caresses. She's dead! You have worked in the dark long enough - this is the plan I have been developing for two years. At twelve noon on that day I shall loot the City of San Francisco. Your ten thousand foreign malcontents will filter into the city in small detachments. The signal will be an explosion. By fire and riots I shall draw the police and military into the suburbs. The heart of the city will be left defenseless - ours to loot at will. And then we shall vanish with our treasure. Everything comes to him who waits. I am the unhappiest beast in the world. Rose, my dear! Under the piano, my darling - we'll have some music. I have a feeling I shall waft you into Heaven. I've waked from a terrible dream! I was a devil - - I did things that I shudder to think of! And I shall walk as men walk. I shall be the master of a city! And for my mangled years the city shall pay me - - - - with the pleasures of a Nero and the powers of a Caesar! Lichtenstein I could get him for theft, arson, murder - - but his criminal machine would still grind on. Through the Master I must reach his slaves - the underground powers of the Reds. He's gathered up his dance hall girls and he's put them to work in his house - making hats - thousands of hats. I must know why! Title Card In time the man would mangle the soul of the daughter, even as the father had mangled the body of the man. Dialogue Doctor: Good God, you should not have amputated! Dr. Ferris: What? Doctor: You have mangled this child for life! Barbara Ferris: How do you happen to know so much about Art? Blizzard: My father, who shall be nameless, was a distinguished man. But he detested little boys with their legs clipped off. So at fifteen I hobbled out of his life. Barbara Ferris: Why do you live in the underworld? Blizzard: When Satan fell from Heaven he looked for power in Hell. Blizzard: Better come out of that closet or I'll begin to shoot! [Rose comes out, crying] Blizzard: Crying won't help - talking may. Rose: What's the use - - you're going to kill me anyhow. Taglines Blizzard, master of San Francisco's underworld, legless, deformed—the weirdest character ever presented on the screen—you'll never forget him. Cast Charles Clary — Dr. Ferris Doris Pawn — Barbary Nell James Pier Mason — Frisco Pete Lon Chaney — Blizzard Milton Ross — Lichtenstein Ethel Grey Terry — Rose Kenneth Harlan — Dr. Wilmot Allen Claire Adams — Barbara Ferris External links The Penalty (1920 film) The Penalty (1920 film) The Penalty (film) The Penalty (film) The Penalty (film) The Penalty (film) 0011565 The Penalty penalty The Penalty 105840 The Penalty Category:American crime drama films Category:Psychological horror films Category:Silent films Category:Films about revenge Category:1920 American films Category:American films about revenge Category:Films about amputees Category:Films based on American novels Category:Films set in San Francisco