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Title: The Man Who Laughs (1928)
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Edit
Cast
| Credited cast: | |||
| Mary Philbin | ... | Dea | |
| Conrad Veidt | ... | Gwynplaine / Lord Clancharlie | |
 |
Julius Molnar | ... | Gwynplaine as a child (as Julius Molnar Jr.) |
| Olga Baclanova | ... | Duchess Josiana | |
| Brandon Hurst | ... | Barkilphedro | |
|
|
Cesare Gravina | ... | Ursus |
| Stuart Holmes | ... | Lord Dirry-Moir | |
| Sam De Grasse | ... | King James II (as Sam DeGrasse) | |
| George Siegmann | ... | Dr. Hardquanonne | |
| Josephine Crowell | ... | Queen Anne | |
|
|
Károly Huszár | ... | Innkeeper (as Charles Puffy) |
|
|
Zimbo the Dog | ... | Homo the Wolf (as Zimbo) |
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
|
|
Delmo Fritz | ... | Sword Swallower |
|
|
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:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
4 November 1928 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
A nevető ember See more »Filming Locations:
Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.20 : 1
Edit
[sees Gwynplaine grinning]
Ursus: Stop laughing! Stop laughing I say!
Gwynplaine as a child: I'm not laughing!
Ursus: [looks at Gwynplaine's grin] Comprachicos!
See more »
(uncredited)
Written by Walter Hirsch, Lew Pollack and Erno Rapee
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The process of carving a victim's face to look like it is smiling broadly has come to be known as a Glasgow Smile or a Chelsea Smile after organized-crime rings in those two British cities used such mutilation as a terror tactic. See more »Goofs
After swimming in the river, Homo, the wolf, is dry when he immediately attacks Barkilphedro. He is dry when pulled back into the boat after his second crossing of the river. See more »Quotes
Ursus: [looking at the baby] Blind![sees Gwynplaine grinning]
Ursus: Stop laughing! Stop laughing I say!
Gwynplaine as a child: I'm not laughing!
Ursus: [looks at Gwynplaine's grin] Comprachicos!
See more »
Soundtracks
When Love Comes Stealing(uncredited)
Written by Walter Hirsch, Lew Pollack and Erno Rapee
See more »
A most extraordinary movie, filmed on an absolutely staggering scale in the most extravagant yet stylish manner possible by director Paul Leni. Superbly photographed, costumed and set, this handsomely atmospheric horror piece is certainly one of a kind. In its own peculiarly dark niche, I can think of no other competitors, not even Universal's own "Hunchback of Notre Dame".
This movie has the further advantage of a far superior cast. Mary Philbin betters her portrayal in "Hunchback" by a mile, while Conrad Veidt in a Chaney-type role easily steals the picture by sheer charisma rather than simply horrific make-up. Mind you, he is given a good run for his money by Brandon Hurst as the scheming villain, Baclanova as the sexy Josiana, and Josephine Crowell (in her final feature film) as the imperious queen.