WE ARE TRASH! — 3rd Birthday: THE UNKNOWN (1927) with Loose Willis & Maxim Melton at Genesis Cinema (Weds 11 June 2025)
THE UNKNOWN (1927) with Loose Willis & Maxim Melton
- Director: Tod Browning
- Cast: Lon Chaney, Joan Crawford, Norman Kerry
- Film: 67mins | USA | Title Cards & Live Music | Intermission
- Event: 20:45 – 23:10 [18+]
A criminal on the run hides in a circus and seeks to possess the ringmaster’s daughter at any cost.
“DON’T MISS THIS STARTLING SPECTACLE!”
BAR TRASH celebrates our 3rd year and 10th sensational season with WE ARE TRASH!, a fan-made mixtape of cult and chaotic cinema (14 May to 20 Aug 2025).
Tonight, we’re wishing happy 3rd birthday to the BAR TRASH community with a dangerous night of queer cabaret and silent circus in THE UNKNOWN (1927), hosted by international drag king, comedian and costumier Loose Willis, accompanied by producer, performer and dungeon master, Maxim Melton. Expect thrills, chills, tears, plenty of trash cinema talk, a complementary drink or two, a raffle, and definitely cake.
“It’s hard to believe our little bar show has been running for 3 years and nearly 150 events (tonight will be number 148!). I’m overwhelmed and stupidly excited to be celebrating with some very queer/dear friends and an absolute banger of a film that shows how shockingly transgressive, visually astonishing, and emotionally daring, silent cinema could be. BAR TRASH has become a welcoming and inclusive community that gathers together to watch wild films in the darkness. This is our humble way of saying thank you. I can’t wait to see you there.”
TOKEN HOMO
You loved Tod Browning’s FREAKS so much — and went crazy for a PA ‘from beyond the grave’ by Joan Crawford during STRAIT-JACKET (actually, the brilliant drag artist Tonya Dreams!) — that bringing THE UNKNOWN to BAR TRASH was an absolute no-brainer. Directed by Tod Browning and starring shape-shifting screen icon Lon Chaney (THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA) and Joan Crawford (WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE?) in an early career highlight, THE UNKNOWN will be our first ever silent cinema event at BAR TRASH. Live accompaniment will be provided by none other than Maxim Melton, the alchemical producer and performer of extraordinary nights of contemporary queer cabaret, including CABARET ROULETTE and QUEER STORY.
“The most celebrated and exquisitely perverse of the many collaborations between Tod Browning and his legendary leading man Lon Chaney [in a story of] sadomasochistic obsession, deception, murder, disfigurement, and a spectacular Grand Guignol climax.”
Janus Films
// BAR TRASH is a celebration of cult and curious cinema, hosted by queer film fanatic Token Homo and friends. Films are served with introductions, intermissions, prize giveaways, and subtitles / captions where possible. Tickets from £3.50. Adults 18+ only. Follow @tokenhomo on Instagram for updates. //
Programme supported by Film Hub London, managed by Film London. Proud to be a partner of the BFI Film Audience Network, funded by the National Lottery. www.filmlondon.org.uk/film-hub-london
