By KEVIN HOOVER
Even in the silent age of film, Lon Chaney’s take on playing God stoked the ire of censors, who deemed the 1922 A Blind Bargain too heavy for audiences of the time. Now, the film—of which only the scantest of visual evidence remains—is set to experience a second coming of sorts, by way of a new remake.
Director Paul Bunnell’s (The Ghastly Love of Johnny X) A BLIND BARGAIN will have its world premiere this August at the FrightFest film festival. Stepping into the smock of the diabolical doc in pursuit of everlasting beauty is the cinematic chameleon Crispin Glover, as Dr. Gruder.
While the original film was an exhibition in Chaney’s masterful transformative capabilities as he served in dual roles, both as the ill-intentioned Dr. Lamb and the victimized Ape-Man, the 2025 version onboards a multifaceted ensemble cast, including Sean Whalen (The People Under the Stairs), Jake Horowitz (Bones and All) and Amy Wright (The Amityville Horror). The screenplay has also been updated to explore the conflict of a son who offers up his own mother for experimentation in exchange for money to support his drug addiction.
Shot entirely on 16mm film—to capture the essence of ‘70s works like Night Gallery—was a decision inspired by the director’s aversion to using any digital methods. Says Bunnell of his reasoning: “I have never made a movie in the digital format, and I have had no desire to. I am a true believer in film and the power it has to affect an audience on a subconscious level. Film is alive. It’s organic.”
A BLIND BARGAIN was co-written by executive producer John E. Falotico and Bing Bailey. Emmy nominee Ego Plum (The Cuphead Show!) scored the film, and production design was overseen by Frida Oliva.
