The Man Who Laughs
(1928)
124 mins | Melodrama | 4 November 1928
Director:
Paul LeniWriter:
Dr. Bela SekelyCinematographer:
Gilbert WarrentonEditor:
Edward CahnProduction Company:
Universal Pictures Corp.Company records indicate that, although uncredited, Charles Whittaker , Marion Ward, and May McLean worked on the adaptation. Principal photography began 1 Oct 1927, according to a production chart in the 7 Jan 1928 Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World. The 25 Dec 1927 Film Daily announced that director Paul Leni would complete filming on 9 Jan 1928.
The Man Who Laughs was screened 28 May 2018 at the 23rd Annual San Francisco Silent Film Festival in San Francisco, CA. The following year, a 3 Oct 2019 HR article, titled "'Joker,' 'The Man Who Laughs' and the Birth of a Villain," explored the extent to which the 1928 film inspired DC Comics' "Joker" character and pointed out that in director Todd Phillips's Joker (2019), actor Joaquin Phoenix’s clown makeup was "almost an exact copy of the supporting clowns in 'The Man Who Laughs' who form the troupe of Ursus’s show."
According to the Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Database, this film is extant.
...
Company records indicate that, although uncredited, Charles Whittaker , Marion Ward, and May McLean worked on the adaptation. Principal photography began 1 Oct 1927, according to a production chart in the 7 Jan 1928 Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World. The 25 Dec 1927 Film Daily announced that director Paul Leni would complete filming on 9 Jan 1928.
The Man Who Laughs was screened 28 May 2018 at the 23rd Annual San Francisco Silent Film Festival in San Francisco, CA. The following year, a 3 Oct 2019 HR article, titled "'Joker,' 'The Man Who Laughs' and the Birth of a Villain," explored the extent to which the 1928 film inspired DC Comics' "Joker" character and pointed out that in director Todd Phillips's Joker (2019), actor Joaquin Phoenix’s clown makeup was "almost an exact copy of the supporting clowns in 'The Man Who Laughs' who form the troupe of Ursus’s show."
According to the Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Database, this film is extant.
Gwynplaine is a small boy whose features have been surgically distorted into a permanent wide grin by order of the cruel King James II, because his nobleman father, a political enemy, refused to kiss the monarch's hand. Gwynplaine becomes a famous clown, and he and Dea, a blind girl, travel with the van of Ursus, a mountebank. Romance develops until Gwynplaine discovers he is heir to a peerage. Barkilphedro, attached to Queen Anne's court, discovers Gwynplaine's claim to the title. The queen, seeing an opportunity to discipline her half sister, Duchess Josiana, has Gwynplaine restored to his wealth and decrees that he shall marry Josiana. Gwynplaine renounces his title, defies Josiana, and follows Dea and Ursus, who have been banished from England. In his flight, Gwynplaine is pursued by soldiers of the queen and Barkilphedro. Escaping unharmed, he finds Dea just as the boat she and Ursus are taking is about to ...
Gwynplaine is a small boy whose features have been surgically distorted into a permanent wide grin by order of the cruel King James II, because his nobleman father, a political enemy, refused to kiss the monarch's hand. Gwynplaine becomes a famous clown, and he and Dea, a blind girl, travel with the van of Ursus, a mountebank. Romance develops until Gwynplaine discovers he is heir to a peerage. Barkilphedro, attached to Queen Anne's court, discovers Gwynplaine's claim to the title. The queen, seeing an opportunity to discipline her half sister, Duchess Josiana, has Gwynplaine restored to his wealth and decrees that he shall marry Josiana. Gwynplaine renounces his title, defies Josiana, and follows Dea and Ursus, who have been banished from England. In his flight, Gwynplaine is pursued by soldiers of the queen and Barkilphedro. Escaping unharmed, he finds Dea just as the boat she and Ursus are taking is about to leave.
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