The Monster is a 1925 American silent horror comedy film directed by Roland West, based on the stage play of the same name by Crane Wilbur, and starring Lon Chaney and comedian Johnny Arthur.

It is remembered as an early prototype "old dark house" movie, as well as a precedent to a number of horror film subgenres such as mad scientists with imbecilic assistants.

John Bowman, a wealthy farmer, is kidnapped one night after two mysterious men lure his car off the road.

Once inside, they are greeted by Dr. Gustave Ziska (Lon Chaney), who introduces Rigo (George Austin), Caliban (Walter James), and Daffy Dan (Knute Erickson), his three patients.

Johnny eludes Ziska's henchmen and escapes up to the roof, sending flares seen by policemen investigating the wreckage of Amos' car.

Caliban appears and, mistaking the figure in the chair for Amos, activates the transducer, removing Ziska's soul from his body.

Realizing his mistake, Caliban is distracted and Johnny captures him by hooking a winch to the monster's feet and hoisting him upside down.

The policemen enter the laboratory to find that Johnny has successfully apprehended the madmen and located the kidnapped people.

[1] Critic Troy Howarth stated "Viewers expecting a typical Lon Chaney vehicle are in for a major disappointment, as the actor doesn't show up into well into the picture.

And while he admittedly makes for an alarming presence...it's not much of a role and doesn't allow him to evoke the kind of audience empathy one normally associates with the great actor.

He appears as the sinister surgeon in charge and scores heavily although his role is secondary to that of Johnny Arthur as the boob detective."

The result is that, although this film possesses a degree of queer entertainment, it is neither fish, fowl nor good red herring.

---Photoplay Film historian Jon Mirsalis opined "THE MONSTER will prove somewhat of a disappointment to die-hard Chaney fans, but a delight to connoisseurs of Director Roland West's stylistic Gothic dramas.