Fourteen Lon Chaney Icons

[jordannamorgan]

Due to the ridiculous number of icons I've made already this month, I'm adjusting my posting policy a little. From now on, if I have at least a dozen icons of a particular person/subject, I will post them separately from my monthly hodgepodge. This will ease the overcrowding in my "pending icons" folder. *g*

First to meet that dozen-icon criteria is the great Lon Chaney--arguably the first genuine classic horror star.


Please comment and credit. Do not alter without permission. Do not hotlink.

1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14

These were interesting icons to make. Some random commentary:

#1: Sometimes the simplest approach is the best (or a picture just speaks for itself). I did very little with this icon besides the text, yet it's one of my favorites in the lot.

#2: Even I find myself reacting to this picture with a slight "Rowr". Ever notice how guys back then could be muscular without being big slabs of beef? *siiigh*...

#3: Another simple-looking icon, although I had a minor battle with the text. The sharp, high-contrast image was too interesting to clutter with needless texturing.

#4: My least favorite of the batch. I made it solely as an excuse to play with the lantern lighting--but I didn't know what to do with it after that, and it shows.

#5-6: Two variations on a theme, using window-shadow textures from meleada. I like these; they look to me like very modern movie posters.

#7: That is the most prolific shot found in image searches for Chaney--but it's my favorite icon here, nonetheless. I couldn't resist sneaking in another cross-shaped shadow, because the old Opera Ghost looks awfully like a vampire to me. (This icon won second place at classicicontest.)

#8: Eh on this one. I won't be surprised if someone jumps in to tell me that isn't actually a Marine uniform, although I seem to recall one of Chaney's more lauded roles being a hard-bitten Marine sergeant.

#9: It's hard to tell, but Chaney is trying on a set of fangy teeth in that shot. The interesting blue-green two-tone is actually the picture's original coloring as I found it.

#10: Something understated. Chaney does have a fascinating face--and what a peculiarly winsome expression. I quite like this.

#11: Off-topic question: does anyone know a more proper name for that "newsie" type of hat? It gives me great glee when James Cagney wears them. *g*

#12: Chaney with his makeup kit. (I did not colorize this.) The picture makes me think Cagney wasn't such an odd choice to play Chaney, after all; here Lon remarkably displays almost the same wolfish, looking-up-from-under-the-brows grin that was so distinctive to Jimmy.

#13: Something a bit silly, really. I made these last two a couple of days after the first dozen, and I wasn't quite as inspired then.

#14: A different view of the Phantom.


Coming soon: two more single-subject icon posts featuring Cary Grant and X-Men, once a couple of current icontests have concluded.

I might also add that I've just become a co-moderator at x_men_stills, the X-Men movieverse icontest. My first challenge there will be posted tonight. Wish me luck! *g*


If you enjoy my work and would like to show appreciation for it, I welcome tips in the form of Dreamwidth Points. (Enter my username "jordannamorgan" as the account you're buying for.)

Comments

[silvretine.livejournal.com]

*snaggage* :)

[nuranar.livejournal.com]

I can't see enough to tell if it's a marine uniform or not. :) The high collar seems to have hung around later in the Marines than in the army. I'm not sure when the army changed to a spread collar, although I suspect it was well before WWII. The color definitely seems to be the dark marine blue, though, and certainly not the army khaki/brown. Good call.

'Newsboy' is the term I see the most, but I agree that it seems to be a modern term and not a period one. In original literature (most recently, Nero Wolfe) it's simply a 'cap,' as opposed to a hat. Another modern term is the Gatsby. Golf caps are similar, but the shape is really very different.

I don't think I've actually seen any of his films, but they're very interesting icons. I really appreciate the commentary, though. I hope you're planning on continuing it.

[estherblodgett.livejournal.com]

Cool icons! I like the commentary you added towards each one. I was going to do that when I started making icons, but backed out. I don't know why though..lol Keep up the cool work! =)

Thank You!

[leonidas-chaney.livejournal.com]

You do WONDERFUL work!

Please, visit my MySpace profile (www.myspace.com/leonidas_chaney); and, if you have an account there, befriend me.

Thanks again,

Lon

[imzabbadammit.livejournal.com]

The movie is called "Tell It To The Marines." Your text is so....imaginative. What a wonderful service you provide.

[stardust78.livejournal.com]

Nice icons! I especially like the Phantom of the Opera ones. :)

[grimm-tales.livejournal.com]

These are great! I've taken: 5, 7, & 14. Will credit when used. Thank you.

[odango-princess.livejournal.com]

Love you're icon style! Been browsing through, you've got wonderful taste - period. Took #14 and credited, thanks! All ways looking for good POtO icons.