The Man Who Laughs (1928)
The Man Who Laughs (1928)
(Paul Leni, US 1928, 110 min., DCP)
One of only four films German emigré Paul Leni directed in Hollywood before his untimely death, The Man Who Laughs is his most iconic. In it, he reunites with fellow German Conrad Veidt, who takes on the role of Gwynplaine, who, as a small boy, was disfigured by decree of King James II so that he has a permanent wide grin. Grown now, Gwynplaine has become a famous clown in a traveling troupe with the blind woman he loves, Dea (Mary Philbin). Upon discovering that Gwynplaine is the heir to a title, Queen Anne (Josephine Crowell) orders his wealth restored and his betrothal to her half-sister, Josiana (Olga Baclanova). Gwynplaine attempts to renounce his title and flee, but the queen is not so easily dissuaded. Roger Ebert wrote, “The Man Who Laughs is a melodrama, at times even a swashbuckler, but so steeped in expressionist gloom that it plays like a horror film,” but the imagery on display in this Universal masterpiece may change your mind. Shockingly, this film has never screened at the Dryden!
Live piano accompaniment by Dr. Philip C. Carli.