User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: The Man Who Laughs (1928)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
Photos
Learn more
People who liked this also liked...
The Testament of Dr. Mabuse
(1933)
Crime
|
Fantasy
|
Horror
Director:
Fritz Lang
Stars:
Rudolf Klein-Rogge,
Gustav Diessl,
Rudolf Schündler
Eyes Without a Face
(1960)
Horror
Director:
Georges Franju
Stars:
Pierre Brasseur,
Alida Valli,
Juliette Mayniel
Psycho
(1960)
Horror
|
Mystery
|
Thriller
Director:
Alfred Hitchcock
Stars:
Anthony Perkins,
Vera Miles,
John Gavin
Santa Sangre
(1989)
Drama
|
Horror
Director:
Alejandro Jodorowsky
Stars:
Axel Jodorowsky,
Blanca Guerra,
Guy Stockwell
Don't Look Now
(1973)
Drama
|
Horror
|
Thriller
Director:
Nicolas Roeg
Stars:
Julie Christie,
Donald Sutherland,
Hilary Mason
Lost Highway
(1997)
Drama
|
Mystery
|
Thriller
Director:
David Lynch
Stars:
Bill Pullman,
Patricia Arquette,
John Roselius
Audition
(1999)
Horror
|
Thriller
Director:
Takashi Miike
Stars:
Ryo Ishibashi,
Eihi Shiina,
Tetsu Sawaki
Isle of the Dead
(1945)
Drama
|
Horror
|
Mystery
Director:
Mark Robson
Stars:
Boris Karloff,
Ellen Drew,
Marc Cramer
The Unknown
(1927)
Drama
|
Horror
|
Romance
Director:
Tod Browning
Stars:
Lon Chaney,
Norman Kerry,
Joan Crawford
The Kiss of the Vampire
(1963)
Horror
Director:
Don Sharp
Stars:
Clifford Evans,
Edward de Souza,
Noel Willman
The Leopard Man
(1943)
Film-Noir
|
Horror
|
Mystery
Director:
Jacques Tourneur
Stars:
Dennis O'Keefe,
Margo,
Jean Brooks
Picnic at Hanging Rock
(1975)
Drama
|
Mystery
Director:
Peter Weir
Stars:
Rachel Roberts,
Vivean Gray,
Helen Morse
Edit
Cast
| Credited cast: | |||
| Mary Philbin | ... | ||
| Conrad Veidt | ... | ||
 |
Julius Molnar Jr. | ... | |
| Olga Baclanova | ... |
Duchess Josiana
|
|
|
|
Brandon Hurst | ... | |
|
|
Cesare Gravina | ... |
Ursus
|
|
|
Stuart Holmes | ... |
Lord Dirry-Moir
|
|
|
Sam De Grasse | ... | |
|
|
George Siegmann | ... | |
|
|
Josephine Crowell | ... | |
|
|
Charles Puffy | ... |
Innkeeper
|
|
|
Zimbo the Dog | ... |
Homo the Wolf
(as Zimbo)
|
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
|
|
Deno Fritz | ... |
Sword Swallower
|
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
Gwynplaine, son of Lord Clancharlie, has a permanent smile carved on his face by the King, in revenge for Gwynplaine's father's treachery. Gwynplaine is adopted by a travelling showman and becomes a popular idol. He falls in love with the blind Dea. The king dies, and his evil jester tries to destroy or corrupt Gwynplaine. Written by Helen Elsom <helenel@sco.com>
Certificate:
Not RatedParents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
4 November 1928 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
O Homem Que Ri See more »Filming Locations:
Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA See more »Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.20 : 1
Edit
King James II: By our grace he is still alive, and quite well, I believe. A Comprachico surgeon carved a grin upon his face so he might laugh forever at his fool of a father.
See more »
(uncredited)
Written by Walter Hirsch, Lew Pollack and Erno Rapee
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Gwynplaine's fixed grin and disturbing clown-like appearance was a key inspiration for comic book talents writer Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane in creating Batman's greatest enemy, The Joker. See more »Goofs
Jo Grimaldi was the first clown to wear full make-up and a costume and that wasn't until the mid 1800s. See more »Quotes
Lord Clancharlie: I came back to find my little son. What have you done with him?King James II: By our grace he is still alive, and quite well, I believe. A Comprachico surgeon carved a grin upon his face so he might laugh forever at his fool of a father.
See more »
Soundtracks
"When Love Comes Stealing"(uncredited)
Written by Walter Hirsch, Lew Pollack and Erno Rapee
See more »
In 1690, in England, the nobleman Lord Clancharlie returns from his exile to see his young son. The peer is captured by the cruel King James II and before being killed, he is informed that his beloved son had been sold to the gypsies Comanchicos that carved a permanent grin on his face. The Cormanchicos abandon the boy in the cold snowing winter, and while looking for shelter, he finds a baby hold in the arms of her dead mother. He brings the baby with him and they are welcomed by the philosopher Ursus (Cesare Gravina), who finds that the baby is blind and raises them. Years later, Gwynplaine (Conrad Veidt) becomes a successful clown, and together with the blind Dea (Mary Philbin), they present plays for common people. Gwynplaine and Dea are in love for each other, but he refuses to marry her because of his ridiculous appearance. When the evil jester Barkilphedro (Brandon Hurst) discloses the origin of Gwynplaine, he plots a means to be rewarded by the Queen, jeopardizing the love of Gwynplaine and Dea.
The Man Who Laughs" is a magnificent classic based on the famous Victor Hugo's novel. The performances of Conrad Veidt and Brandon Hurst are amazing and there are many touching and heartbreaking scenes. My eyes became wet when the artists act like the audience cheering for Gwynplaine to spare Dea from the truth. The appearance of the character Gwynplaine inspired Bob Kane in the creation of "The Joker", one of Batman's greatest enemies. Another point that I would like to highlight is the resemblance of Madonna, in the beginning of her career, with the Russian actress Olga Baclanova, who performs daring scenes including of nude with her amoral character of Duchess Josiana. I have never read Victor Hugo's novel, but it seems that the conclusion in the original story is less optimistic than in this movie, but anyway I loved this film. My vote is ten.
Title (Brazil): "O Homem Que Ri" ("The Man Who Laughs")