Laughter (1930)
85 mins | Comedy-drama | 25 September 1930
Director:
H. D'Abbadie D'ArrastWriters:
H. D'Abbadie D'Arrast, Douglas DotyCinematographer:
George FolseyEditor:
Helene TurnerProduction Company:
Paramount Publix Corp.The 15 Apr 1930 FD announced that director H. D’Abbadie D’Arrast had arrived at Paramount Pictures’ studios in Long Island, New York, to begin production on Laughter, an original story he co-wrote with Douglas Doty. Nancy Carroll was set to star. The 24 Apr 1930 FD noted that the picture would be Carroll’s first “talkie.”
According to the 18 Jun 1930 Var, rehearsals began the week before with Nancy Carroll, Frederic March, and Frank Morgan. Principal photography was expected to begin that week.
Indicating that production was still underway, the 13 Jul 1930 FD added Catherine Cameron to the cast, and the 19 Jul 1930 Exhibitors Herald-World included actress Sarah Edwards.
The 2 Aug 1930 Motion Picture News reported that outdoor sequences were filmed on Paramount’s back lot.
Principal photography was completed on 31 Jul 1930, according to the 3 Aug 1930 FD.
The 8 Oct 1930 Var offered a rave review, deeming Laughter “sophistication plus” and “hugely enjoyable.”
An existing print copy of Laughter belongs to the MoMA archive.
In 1931, Laughter was remade in Spanish, French and German-language versions. For information on those versions, see the entry for the 1931 film Lo mejor es reír, which was made at he Paramount studios in Joinville, Paris. H. D'Abbadie D'Arrast, Douglas Doty and Donald Odgen Stewart were nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Writing (Original Story) category for Laughter. ...
The 15 Apr 1930 FD announced that director H. D’Abbadie D’Arrast had arrived at Paramount Pictures’ studios in Long Island, New York, to begin production on Laughter, an original story he co-wrote with Douglas Doty. Nancy Carroll was set to star. The 24 Apr 1930 FD noted that the picture would be Carroll’s first “talkie.”
According to the 18 Jun 1930 Var, rehearsals began the week before with Nancy Carroll, Frederic March, and Frank Morgan. Principal photography was expected to begin that week.
Indicating that production was still underway, the 13 Jul 1930 FD added Catherine Cameron to the cast, and the 19 Jul 1930 Exhibitors Herald-World included actress Sarah Edwards.
The 2 Aug 1930 Motion Picture News reported that outdoor sequences were filmed on Paramount’s back lot.
Principal photography was completed on 31 Jul 1930, according to the 3 Aug 1930 FD.
The 8 Oct 1930 Var offered a rave review, deeming Laughter “sophistication plus” and “hugely enjoyable.”
An existing print copy of Laughter belongs to the MoMA archive.
In 1931, Laughter was remade in Spanish, French and German-language versions. For information on those versions, see the entry for the 1931 film Lo mejor es reír, which was made at he Paramount studios in Joinville, Paris. H. D'Abbadie D'Arrast, Douglas Doty and Donald Odgen Stewart were nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Writing (Original Story) category for Laughter.
Peggy Gibson, a former Follies beauty, forsakes her life of carefree attachments to marry C. Mortimer Gibson, an elderly but very wealthy broker. A year later, three significant events occur almost simultaneously: Ralph Le Saint, a young sculptor, still in love with Peggy, plans his suicide in a mood of bitterness; Paul Lockridge, a pianist, also in love with her, returns from Paris and offers her his companionship as a diversion from her stuffy life; and Gibson's daughter, Marjorie, returns from schooling abroad. Marjorie is paired with Ralph, and their escapades result in considerable trouble for the old gentleman, while Paul implores Peggy to go to Paris with him, declaring "You are rich--dirty rich. You are dying. You need laughter to make you clean," but she refuses. When Marjorie plans to elope with Ralph, Peggy exposes the sculptor as a fortune hunter, and dejected, he commits suicide. As a result, Peggy confesses her unhappiness to Gibson, then joins Paul and laughter in ...
Peggy Gibson, a former Follies beauty, forsakes her life of carefree attachments to marry C. Mortimer Gibson, an elderly but very wealthy broker. A year later, three significant events occur almost simultaneously: Ralph Le Saint, a young sculptor, still in love with Peggy, plans his suicide in a mood of bitterness; Paul Lockridge, a pianist, also in love with her, returns from Paris and offers her his companionship as a diversion from her stuffy life; and Gibson's daughter, Marjorie, returns from schooling abroad. Marjorie is paired with Ralph, and their escapades result in considerable trouble for the old gentleman, while Paul implores Peggy to go to Paris with him, declaring "You are rich--dirty rich. You are dying. You need laughter to make you clean," but she refuses. When Marjorie plans to elope with Ralph, Peggy exposes the sculptor as a fortune hunter, and dejected, he commits suicide. As a result, Peggy confesses her unhappiness to Gibson, then joins Paul and laughter in Paris.
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