The Last Performance is a 1927 American horror film directed by Paul Fejos and starring Conrad Veidt and Mary Philbin. It was the last American silent film featuring Veidt before he returned to Germany. The film's working title was Erik the Great. Two versions were made - a silent version and Movietone version complete with music, talking sequences, and sound effects (the talking sequences were confined only to the last reel).

Plot

Conrad Veidt stars as Erik the Great, a sinister stage magician who falls in love with a woman half his age, Julie, played by Mary Philbin. A young thief, Mark Royce (played by Fred MacKaye) is caught stealing from Erik's apartment and is taken in at Julie's suggestion. Secretly she falls in love with the new apprentice. However, Erik's other apprentice, Buffo (played by Leslie Fenton) becomes aware of Julie's love for Mark, and driven by jealousy tells Erik. Buffo is later found killed, and Mark is the prime suspect.