The philandering Dr. Silas Brenton is fired from his position at a large hospital and given 24 hours to vacate the state. He sets himself up in Chicago as a "prestigious" plastic surgeon to the stars. However, Brenton's silver tongue can't cover up his dubious methods, and an investigation into his practice is launched by the examining board of plastic surgeons. A delirious film à clef based on the loathsome career of Henry J. Schireson, the self-styled “King of Quacks”.
Acting
Sherman plays himself — a charming monster who knows it.
Direction
Tight 73 minutes of escalating professional rot.
Director
Lowell Sherman
Lowell Sherman
Dr. Silas Brenton
Peggy Shannon
Elsie Fryer
Lila Lee
Georgia Rand
Berton Churchill
Dr. J.B. Parker
David Landau
McCullough
Nance O'Neil
Mrs. Finn
Purnell Pratt
Jefferson Howe
Olive Tell
Mrs. Day
Edward Martindel
Mr. Jonathan Day
Geneva Mitchell
Florence Day
Helene Millard
June Deering
John St. Polis
Dr. McDonald
Joyce Compton
Dottie Nation
Forrest Stanley
District Attorney
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Henry J. Schireson, the real 'King of Quacks,' performed a facelift on a dog at a 1925 medical convention to prove his methods worked on living tissue.
Lowell Sherman directed himself here while simultaneously shooting what would become his own directorial calling card — he pivoted to directing full-time after this, never quite escaping his own typecasting as silky villains.
US
