The Man Who Laughs

source: The Man Who Laughs

In jolly old England, Julius Molnar Jr. (as young Gwynplaine) has a permanent grin surgically carved on his face "so he might laugh forever at his fool of a father" who refused to kiss the hand of his King. The disfigured lad rescues a blind baby, and they are adopted by fatherly Cesare Gravina (as Ursus). The children grow into Conrad Veidt (as Gwynplaine) and Mary Philbin (as Dea). The trio support themselves as a traveling freak show, featuring Mr. Veidt's "The Laughing Man" grin, which has become ever more grotesque with age. Still blind, but movie-star-beautiful as an adult, Ms. Philbin falls for her good-natured rescuer; she thinks God took her eyes so that she could see the good in "Gwynplaine". Veidt cares for Philbin, but is distracted by the possible love of a sighted woman, the seductive Olga Baclanova (as Duchess Josiana). Paul Leni's "The Man Who Laughs" makes up for a story that goes to the dogs (quite literally!) by being too beautifully produced to dismiss. Additionally, Veidt's performance is electrifying. Especially representative of his work in this film is Veidt's "seduction" scene, with Ms. Baclanova; and, she is surely the film's "Best Supporting Actress". Everyone, from Philbin to extras and bit players, is very good. Interestingly, Veidt was eligible for an Academy Award, but was not nominated. Then, neither was Lon Chaney, for "Laugh, Clown, Laugh". They had no sense of humor, obviously. ******** The Man Who Laughs (4/27/28) Paul Leni ~ Conrad Veidt, Mary Philbin, Olga Baclanova, Brandon Hurst

The Man Who Laughs is a movie adaptation of a Victor Hugo novel. It is the story of Gmynplaine, the son of a disgraced noblemen who is facially mutilated by gypsies. He has a permanent smile (definitely a family resemblance to Jack Nicolson's Joker... except without the criminal and deranged aspect). German Expressionist actor, Conrad Veidt plays the lead role. His performance is exceptional, especially when one realizes that the smile-face prosthesis prevented him from talking (Universal had played with the idea to make this movie a talkie at first). The theme is a combination of love and personal tragedy. The story revolves mostly around those 2 themes. The set pieces are dark and grim, but feel "real". The close ups are typical of the silent movie era, however, the event scenes are not. Such scenes as the Iron Lady torture scene and the performance of the play set this movie apart from others of the time. The smile itself is the most poignant aspect conveying comedy, sadness and at times creepiness. There are some unintentional comical aspects. For example, Homo the dog. It makes lines like "Homo, where are you taking me?", into a chuckle opportunity . There is also the line towards the end where our hero calls out for the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). All in all this is a classic movie. This movie is not recommended for today's movie audience, as the silent movie aspect will probably put most into a popcorn/soda coma. For those that appreciate the silent movie, I highly recommend it.

THE MAN WHO LAUGHS starts exceptionally well and definitely gets your attention. In many ways, it seems reminiscent of a Rafael Sabatini novel--the same guy who brought many adventure tales to the screen (such as CAPTAIN BLOOD, SCARAMOUCHE and THE BLACK SWAN), though the actual story was by Victor Hugo. King James II of England (a particularly bad king according to most history books) has arranged for the death of an enemy in a very brutal scene. And, in a nasty move, he has the face of his enemy's young son, Gwynplaine, carved into a permanent smile by some bizarre group of evil gypsies. However, the boy does survive and makes his way in the snow to the wagon of a nice gypsy (the non-face carving kind) and on the way he discovers a baby (Dea) in the arms of a dead woman. Years pass and now Gwynplaine is a famous adult--famous for his stage act along with his adopted gypsy dad and the grown baby--now a gorgeous but blind lady (Mary Philbin). It's pretty obvious Gwynplaine and Dea are in love but fate steps in when a current monarch, Anne, finds out that Gwynplaine is the heir to a title. He is kidnapped and instated as a peer in the House of Lords--though it doesn't go well for Gwynplaine. He'd much rather have his old life and Dea. Tune in for yourself to find out what happens. In many ways, this film is the pinnacle of silent films in America. It debuted very late in 1928 and had it been made just a few months later, it would likely have been a sound film (though how they could have done this with the facial appliance Conrad Veidt had to wear for the title role would have been a problem). But, as it was made in this transition period, Universal added a soundtrack along with sound effects and a song--making it a semi-talkie. Additionally, the cinematography is just lovely and the story very engaging. One of the better silent films and one that has somehow been almost forgotten over the years. By the way, the DVD from Kino is exceptional. Not only is the print nearly pristine but there are lots of extras on the DVD that would make this a nice addition to any home library.

I watched ''The Man Who Laughs'' just yesterday, curious to see the character that bob Kane based to create the famous villain from the Batman series, The Joker. This movie, originally a novel by Victor Hugo,takes place in England from the seventeenth century, when a young son from a nobleman is sold to the gypsies Compranchicos(illegal child buyers) that carved a permanent grin on his face. The boy, named Gwynplaine, is abandoned in the cold snowing winter, and while looking for a shelter, he finds a baby hold in the arms of her dead mother. He takes the baby with him and finds a nice play to stay with an old man called Ursus, that raises the baby,who he discover that is blind, and Gwynplaine. Many years later, Gwynplaine works as a clown together with the blind Dea, that was the little baby he saved. They are both in love with each other, but since Gwynplaine is always considered a joke by the people because of his grin, he thinks that Dea deserves someone better then him to marry. But when secrets about Gwynplaine's blood are known by the Queen's jester, his pacific life is going to change for good. The story of the romance between Gwynplaine and Dea, remembers me a lot the story of the romance between Cyrano and Roxane( from ''Cyrano de Bergerac''), where Cyrano, too embarrassed by his large nose and ugly appearance, refuses to tell the beautiful Roxane about his feelings for her. Not only the ugly looks and the love for a beauty, but also the fact that both Cyrano and Gwynplaine are good people, makes these characters very similar in many ways to me.

This takes place in 17th century England. A young noble mans son Gwynplaine (played as an adult by Conrad Veidt) is kidnapped by a political enemy. He then has a surgeon carve a monstrous grin on the boys face. Years later he's part of a freak show and in love with a beautiful blind girl (Mary Philbin). However his political personage becomes known and causes trouble. This is usually advertised as a horror film due to Veidt's hideous grin but it's not. It's a slow-moving and frankly boring historical drama. Universal spend a lot of money on this and it shows. The sets and costumes are very elaborate and it IS well-directed by Paul Leni. Also Veidt is great in his role. He had to convey all his emotions through his eyes and pulls it off. However I was bored silly and had my finger of the fast forward button more than once. Also Mary Philbin was terrible as the blind girl. Boring and uninvolving.

The Man Who Laughs is one of the best love stories of the silent era and it is in essence the best Lon Chaney movie not starring Lon Chaney. Conrad Veidt gives the performance of his career as Gwynplaine, a man of royal blood who is punished for the sins of his father. He has a horrible grin carved into his face so he is forever smiling on the outside or "Laughing at his fool of a father" Gwynplaine is given this horrible scar by the infamous gypsies the Comprachios, he is abandoned by them and is taken in by a carnival traveler called Ursus along with a poor blind baby who is named Dea. Gwynplaine grows up a shattered man with no sense of pride in his life other than his deep love for Dea. He feels as if he doesn't deserve Dea and has to become something more than the "clown" the world has cruelly dubbed him as. Geez those who think Gwynplaine is the inspiration for the Joker couldn't be farther from the truth. Visually yes but Gwynplaine is the only truly decent character in this film. The film is also miscorrectly labeled as a horror film, it is actually a tragedy in my opinion. However the classification of a horror film isn't far off, Paul Leni deeply roots the set and make-up design in his natural German Expressionism. The shadows and set designs are beautiful and is really the last example of this masterful method of film-making. No star knows how to better match this than Conrad Veidt, the star of the masterpiece The Cabinet of Dr Calagari. This performance is breathtaking, every scene he is in he dominates. His on screen presence is huge and overwhelming in a great way. It's a genuinely touching story and we feel deeply for Gwynplaine when we might not feel as much for other characters.

I wait for almost two years to finally be able to see this cinematic jewel and when I heard a local network was going to pass a restored copy I cried like hell of happiness.I will say only one thing:Is Conrad Veidt at his prime.His performance does not make Gwynplaine horrific,it makes him the most sublime human being on earth and is impossible you don't fall in love with him.The presence of Mary Philbin as the gracious Dea is very helpful.Forget Conrad as the Sleepwalker Cesare or as the handsome Major Strasser.Gwynplaine Is the perfomance of a lifetime of the most talented and beautiful actor of a lifetime

One of the last of the big budget Hollywood silents. Not really a horror picture, but quite grotesque. It has a few scenes for those who like 'hot' precode films. The wonderful cinematography, sets, costumes and the unusual mix of faces of the bit players and extras gives the film a very European look.

I always think that Paul Leni's "The Man Who Laughs" was another silent horror piece with a lot of good ideas and thrilling scenes. Well... i was not wrong, except in the "horror" thing, and I lack to think of the beauty that could give me. Actually, "The Man Who Laughs" is one of the best silent films (With "Broken Blossoms" and "Metropolis") that i have ever seen ever. As too one of the most beautiful films that i have ever seen too. "The Man Who Laughs", based on Victor Hugo's novel, told us the story of Gwynplaine (Great performance of Conrad Veidt, who too appeared as Cesare in famous "Cabinet of Dr. Caligari", participate in the first gay themed film in history "Diffrent from the Others" and "Casabalanca") a man that, when he was little, was operated by an evil man and now, his face always have a long smile. When he was little, he finds a death mother with a newly born one, a beautiful girl, but she is blind. Then he finds help, home and food with Ursus. Years later, he grown up, as the lovely girl, now a beautiful woman named Dea. With Ursus (Now, he is old) go with a fair. For their side there is the evil Barkilpehdro, who was the responsible of our dear main character's sad circumstances. This evil character do it for one thing, power... Gwynplaine doesn't know that he could be a powerful man. Now, back with Gwynplaine, we find a big saddest by him, he don't want to be a clown. And Dea is the only person who see the real Gwynplane. Then we find the story of a beautiful but evil and rebel duchess (Perfomed perfectly by Olga Baclanova, who appeared too in "Freaks"),she has as pupil: the evil Barkilphedro. So, what do you think that happen if all this characters find them in a fair? Just watch it out, and be prepared, because is a thrilling experience. In my personal opinion, "The Man Who Laughs" is an important piece of the history of cinema, maybe , of their time too. First of all, the love story is so tender, so beautiful... that i don't think yet that exist such movie!!! Then, the stages, all the scenario is perfect, makes us to feel what it wants. Is here too another personal opinion, i think that "The Man Who Laughs" it was early to their time, Paul Leni (Director of "The Cat and the Cannary" and "Waxworks"). Its just that the movie present topics that in that time was very difficult to show, or was too (talkin about film technique) novel, or in other word: new. For example, there is a scene when a man watch through the bolt of a door to the duchess taking a bath, yes it doesn't show her *, but certainly, what they show it was much for this time, i think. In film technique i can give a lot of examples, for example, mix of sounds in a lot of scenes, camera moves... etc... i can put a lot of examples. In few words, "The Man Who Laughs" is a real masterpiece, a real must see. This is a beautiful film, and i loved it. Try to see it if you have not see it yet. If you love excellent films, if you love silent films, if you love beautiful films, if you love thrilling films, if you love touching films... you must see "The Man Who Laughs" *Sorry for the mistakes, well... if there any.