Watched it for the first time which version is best?

I like the first personally. But the second is the only time we get to HEAR Chaney. So, I thank god it was made! Emily Blunt bluntreview . com

The original uses a real chimp made to look larger. The remake uses a man in a suit. Original wins.

Most of the intertitles from the original are present in dialogue form in the remake. Draw

You need to have a really good ear to get through Earle's accent in the remake. Original wins.

Several plot elements either hit the cutting room floor or were just never filmed in the original, which makes things confusing. For example, Hercules taunting the ape in the remake and then the ape ends up at the bird store and then Echo decides to take the ape. Logically makes sense. In the original, the ape is just inexplicably at the bird shop and Echo seemingly takes him along as a simple plot device. Remake wins.

Some of the plot elements are very contrived in the original, but in the remake, they're too Hollywood. Personal preference.

Since the films aren't overly long, I think they should both be seen back to back ;-)

The first is the best. The sound remake is a little too light hearted for my taste. Browning gets the macabre aspect of the sideshow life.

My humble opinion, the sound version just because we get to see Chaney's vocal talents. Truth be told, he's not the world's greatest ventriloquist, but he learned the skill well enough to be convincing in the role.
People laugh whenever I describe this movie to them. It sounds like it must be a cartoon, but it actually has great moments of gripping drama!

Original has better story pacing overall, and is a bit smoother to watch. The scene with the police inspector and the toy elephant is so much more suspenseful. All dialogue is understandable(obviously, since you read it. Though in the remake's defense, it's an early sound film, so audio quality just couldn't be perfect). Mae Busch is a bit better as Rosie than Lila Lee. Echo's confession in court is done a lot better than in the remake, and is honestly one of his best scenes(watching him trying to get the strength to do the right thing as he argues it in his head, Chaney was such a master).

The remake gets points too though, and not just for being Chaney's only sound film. That is a point however, and we get to see Chaney's range of voices. One really wishes we could have heard his voices for Phantom and his other major roles. Also, we get some nice bonus scenes with Echo, Tweedledee, and Hercules, which really shows us how rocky this partnership is even before the murder. The silent film shows this too, but not as nicely. We also get an explanation as to why the ape is in the pet store, as well as why Echo wants to bring him along to the mountains. Despite being hard to understand, Tweedledee is a hoot to watch, and has very funny dialogue when you can catch what he's saying. While Ivan Linow(I think that's his name) isn't as good an actor as Victor McLaglen, I have to admit that he's physically a better looking Hercules, and is very believable as a strong man. Elliott Nugent acts out Hector's part very nicely, and it's easy to see how this naive character could fall for these crooks' tricks. And finally, the ending in the remake is just so much more satisfying. Echo's goodbyes as he's taken to prison are very well done, and also feel symbolic, like Lon Chaney is saying goodbye to the audience, as the train takes him on to the hereafter. "I'll send ya a postal card!"

Overall, I prefer the silent version, but both are very well done, and make a great double feature.

I prefer the silent version-- the outlandishness of the premise thrives more in the otherworldly atmosphere of silent film. I also like Mae Busch better as Rosie-- she's not a traditional ingenue and I find her more believable as a pickpocket.