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IMDbPro

The Man Who Laughs

  • 19281928
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
7.3K
YOUR RATING
Mary Philbin and Conrad Veidt in The Man Who Laughs (1928)
Trailer 1
Play trailer1:44
1 Video
99+ Photos
DramaHorrorMystery
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
7.3K
YOUR RATING
    • Paul Leni
  • Writers
    • Victor Hugo(novel "L'Homme Qui Rit")
    • J. Grubb Alexander(adaptation)
    • Walter Anthony(titles)
  • Stars
    • Mary Philbin
    • Conrad Veidt
    • Julius Molnar
    • 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
    • 80User reviews
    • 49Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    The Man Who Laughs
    Trailer 1:44
    Watch 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)
    Conrad Veidt in 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)
    Mary Philbin and Conrad Veidt in The Man Who Laughs (1928)
    The Man Who Laughs (1928)
    Mary Philbin and Conrad Veidt in The Man Who Laughs (1928)

    Top cast

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

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    Storyline

    Edit

    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 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 reviews80

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    An underappreciated classic
    The first time I encountered The Man Who Laughs was a photo in a horror movie catalog that I had when I was a very easily-spooked 8-year-old. For some reason that grotesque grin frightened me more than the Hunchback, the Phantom of the Opera, and Nosferatu combined. I couldn't bear to look at it, so I carefully marked the page so that I wouldn't accidentally catch a glimpse of it. However, if I had actually seen the movie I wouldn't have been frightened at all. I wouldn't consider The Man Who Laughs a horror movie, but a touching melodrama about a man whose appearance is horrific.

    Gwynplaine is a very sympathetic, likeable character, and Conrad Veidt does an excellent job of conveying his inner torment and sadness with subtle eye movements and gestures. Gwynplaine's innate goodness is very clear, despite his macabre appearance. We root for him to overcome all obstacles to find happiness and true love, as we root for the evil jester Barkilphedro to meet with a bitter end. We are not disappointed. I was impressed with the beautiful cinematography, which is exceptional for the time. The score and sound effects are used very well, so well that sometimes you forget that you are watching a silent picture. With the outstanding performances, particularly Veidt's, this is a classic of silent cinema that deserves to have a much wider audience.
    helpful•21
    2
    • MrETrain
    • Aug 12, 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)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • 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
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 50 minutes
      • Silent

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