The Blackbird [The Mocking Bird] [The Black Bird] (Original screenplay for the 1926 film) by Tod Browning (director, story writer); Joseph Farnham, Waldemar Young (screenwriters); Lon Chaney, Owen Moore, Doris Lloyd (starring) - 1925

Beverly Hills, CA: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer [MGM], 1925. Draft script for the 1926 silent film "The Blackbird," seen here under the working title "The Mocking Bird."

Lon Chaney again serves as a versatile "man of a thousand faces," here playing the role of high-profile thief The Blackbird who lives a double-life as a beloved local bishop. He falls in love with a vaudeville starlet who's already being courted by another wealthy thief. The Blackbird attempts to use his Bishop persona to break up the pair and fails, becoming crippled and nearly being caught by the police in the process.

Set in the Limehouse district in London.

Tan titled wrappers, rubber-stamped copy No. 2 and production No. 1537, dated October 10, 1925, with credits for screenwriter Waldemar Young. Title page integral with the first page of the text, with credits for screenwriters Tod Browning and Waldemar Young. 120 leaves, with last page of text numbered 119. Ditto style mimeograph duplication. Pages Very Good plus, wrapper Good bound with two gold brads.

Spicer US Neo-Noir.