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This newly mastered version of a universe of horrors is one of 12 series of the Secret

History of Hollywood.

New episodes are being written and created all the time.

If you'd like full access to every drama, every thrill, every story, then sign up now

at patreon.com slash ataboy secret or follow the link in the show notes of this

episode and thank you. By the time Universal tapped Creighton Cheney to be their next horror star,

he'd already made something of a success for himself on the screen. The year after his father's death, he'd appeared in his first film, a serial entitled

The Galloping Ghost for Mascot Studios in a tiny role as a henchman.

While his subsequent films had mainly been pot boilers with such titles as The Black Ghost,

Lucky Devils and Son of the Border.

There had been genuine hits such as Bird of Paradise starring Dorothy Lamor, Charlie Chan on

Broadway, Alexander's Ragtime Band, and a breakout role as Lenny, the mentally challenged

Hulk in John Steinbecks of Mice and Men in 1939.

It was Cheney's role in this that had caught Universal's eye. Indeed, it had caught everyone's eye.

The film, while not a soaring financial success, had been the toast of critics and nominated for four Oscars.

Cheney's performance was often singled out as deeply impressive and genuinely affecting.

By now, Creighton Chaney was being billed as Lon Cheney Jr., a moniker he wasn't altogether

happy about, but one he learned to accept as a posthumous gift from his father.

Throughout the 30s, Cheney had struggled with his legacy, distraught at disobeying his father's wish

...