While The Grinch is the most famous example, from Hans Gruber to Willie Soke each year we return to stories of characters trying to steal Christmas. Amongst shopping busyness or ‘Closed for Christmas’ signs the season seems to be an ideal time to pull off a heist, or upfront robbery. So, this year’s Alternative Christmas Film Advent Calendar looks at a series of less-mentioned attempts at festive thefts.
Perhaps the fact that 1930’s The Unholy Three is a slightly less festive remake of an already alternative Christmas film makes it even more fitting of a place on this calendar. Yet, while less festive than the silent 1925 film of the same name the heist in question pans out over the Christmas season, with Christmas Eve itself acting as the day of the big job.
Three former carnival acts (Ivan Linow, Harry Earles and Lon Chaney in his first, and only, speaking role – the tagline for the film was ‘Lon Chaney TALKS’) leave the demeaning sideshow circuit and use a pet shop to attract wealthy customers who they subsequently steal from. Over time they welcome in pickpocket Rosie (Lila Lee) who Chaney’s ventriloquist Echo falls for, although her attentions are turned to the pet shop’s only proper employee, Hector (Elliott Nugent), who in turn has feelings for Rosie.
The not-quite love triangle starts to play out against the backdrop of growing Christmas decorations. Hector brings a tree for Mrs O’Grady (the disguise Chaney’s ventriloquist character uses in the shop) and her family (wrestler-turned-actor Linow’s strongman, Hercules, plays son-in-law while Earles’ Tweedledee takes on more-than-disgruntled grandson) which shines brightly with decorations in the corner of the black-and-white scenery, pushing the gloom of the Unholy Three’s plans and actions. They’ve pushed Christmas to the side and have little care for the season, it’s another day of the year, although one that could interfere with their plans and creates unnecessary clutter in their apartment.
But, those relationships themselves play out as something of a backdrop to the Christmas Eve heist and the different changing views towards it from the titular trio. Some slightly more in the spirit of the season than others, especially when it comes to eventual decisions and events post-robbery. Some living up to the unholy name the group gives themselves, others looking more at forgiving and redemptive actions fitting of this time of year – a favourite theme of many Christmas films.
The Unholy Three can be watched in the following places:
YouTube
You can see where else the film is available to buy, stream or rent, especially in your country, on JustWatch.
Just A Little Bit Random 