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The Man Who Laughs

  • 19281928
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 50min
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
6.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Mary Philbin and Conrad Veidt in The Man Who Laughs (1928)
Trailer 1
Play trailer1:44
1 Video
99+ Photos
DramaMysteryRomance

When a proud noble refuses to kiss the hand of the despotic King James in 1690, he is cruelly executed and his son surgically disfigured.When a proud noble refuses to kiss the hand of the despotic King James in 1690, he is cruelly executed and his son surgically disfigured.When a proud noble refuses to kiss the hand of the despotic King James in 1690, he is cruelly executed and his son surgically disfigured.

IMDb RATING
7.7/10
6.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Paul Leni
  • Writers
    • Victor Hugo(novel "L'Homme Qui Rit")
    • J. Grubb Alexander(adaptation)
    • Walter Anthony(titles)
  • Stars
    • Mary Philbin
    • Conrad Veidt
    • Julius Molnar
Top credits
  • Director
    • Paul Leni
  • Writers
    • Victor Hugo(novel "L'Homme Qui Rit")
    • J. Grubb Alexander(adaptation)
    • Walter Anthony(titles)
  • Stars
    • Mary Philbin
    • Conrad Veidt
    • Julius Molnar
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 75User reviews
    • 46Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    The Man Who Laughs
    Trailer 1:44
    The Man Who Laughs

    Photos138

    Mary Philbin and Conrad Veidt in The Man Who Laughs (1928)
    Mary Philbin and Conrad Veidt in The Man Who Laughs (1928)
    Conrad Veidt in The Man Who Laughs (1928)
    Conrad Veidt in The Man Who Laughs (1928)
    Mary Philbin and Conrad Veidt in The Man Who Laughs (1928)
    The Man Who Laughs (1928)
    The Man Who Laughs (1928)
    Mary Philbin and Conrad Veidt in The Man Who Laughs (1928)
    Mary Philbin and Conrad Veidt in The Man Who Laughs (1928)
    The Man Who Laughs (1928)
    The Man Who Laughs (1928)
    The Man Who Laughs (1928)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Mary Philbin
    Mary Philbin
    • Deaas Dea
    Conrad Veidt
    Conrad Veidt
    • Gwynplaineas Gwynplaine…
    Julius Molnar
    • Gwynplaine as a childas Gwynplaine as a child
    Olga Baclanova
    Olga Baclanova
    • Duchess Josianaas Duchess Josiana
    Brandon Hurst
    Brandon Hurst
    • Barkilphedroas Barkilphedro
    Cesare Gravina
    • Ursusas Ursus
    Stuart Holmes
    Stuart Holmes
    • Lord Dirry-Moiras Lord Dirry-Moir
    Sam De Grasse
    Sam De Grasse
    • King James IIas King James II
    • (as Sam DeGrasse)
    George Siegmann
    George Siegmann
    • Dr. Hardquanonneas Dr. Hardquanonne
    Josephine Crowell
    Josephine Crowell
    • Queen Anneas Queen Anne
    Károly Huszár
    Károly Huszár
    • Innkeeperas Innkeeper
    • (as Charles Puffy)
    Zimbo the Dog
    • Homo the Wolfas Homo the Wolf
    • (as Zimbo)
    Delmo Fritz
    • Sword Swalloweras Sword Swallower
    Deno Fritz
    • Sword Swalloweras Sword Swallower
    Henry A. Barrows
    • Undetermined Secondary Roleas Undetermined Secondary Role
    • (uncredited)
    Richard Bartlett
    • Undetermined Secondary Roleas Undetermined Secondary Role
    • (uncredited)
    Les Bates
    Les Bates
    • Undetermined Secondary Roleas Undetermined Secondary Role
    • (uncredited)
    Charles Brinley
    Charles Brinley
    • Undetermined Secondary Roleas Undetermined Secondary Role
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Paul Leni
    • Writers
      • Victor Hugo(novel "L'Homme Qui Rit")
      • J. Grubb Alexander(adaptation)
      • Walter Anthony(titles)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Forever disfigured by a wide and mirthless grin on his face, the orphaned son of a nobleman, Gwynplaine, rescues the blind baby-girl, Dea, in cold seventeenth-century England. Taken in by the paternal carnival philosopher, Ursus, the unloved boy grows into a kind and honest man who chooses, however, to hide his grotesque deformity behind a black cloak, utterly convinced that the beautiful Dea will never truly love him because of his horrible secret. Feeling unworthy of Dea's noble feelings, Gwynplaine will soon cross paths with the aristocratic temptress, Duchess Josiana, as a cruel and long-standing conspiracy in the palace of Queen Anne presents him with the burden of choice. Will poor Gwynplaine, the Man who Laughs, renounce everything in the name of love? —Nick Riganas
    melodramapsychotronic filmcreepy smilenaked womanfemale rear nudity87 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The Man Who laughs With Conrad Veidt as the clown on whose face was carved a horrible, leering grin. (Print Ad-Picket Line Post ((Mt. Morris, NY)) 7 December 1928)
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Mystery
      • Romance
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Gwynplaine's fixed grin and disturbing clown-like appearance was a key inspiration for comic book writer Bill Finger and artists Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson in creating one of the most iconic comic book villains ever, The Joker.
    • Goofs
      The opening scene happens in James II's reign (1685-1688), but Lord Clancharlie is sentenced to death in an Iron Maiden. This an instrument of torture was invented in 1793 for display in museums.
    • Quotes

      Gwynplaine: [Via subtitles, to the House of Lords] A king made me a clown! A queen made me a Peer! But first, God made me a man!

    • Connections
      Edited into Phobos (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      When Love Comes Stealing
      (uncredited)
      Written by Walter Hirsch, Lew Pollack and Erno Rapee

    User reviews75

    Review
    Top review
    Wow
    I saw this last night at the New Orleans Film Fest and was blown away. The film has been restored and was shown with a live octet to boot. The story was complex yet easy to understand and the acting was great. I was amazed at some of the camera work and film editing for such an early period in film history. It is too bad Leni died so young because he was headed for greatness.
    helpful•18
    3
    • flip-23
    • Oct 11, 1999

    FAQ2

    • How did this American movie from 1928 get away with showing female nudity?
    • Is Gwynplaine based on the Joker?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 4, 1928 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Gülen adam
    • Filming locations
      • Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,347
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 50min
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Silent
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.20 : 1

    Related news

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