The Man Who Laughs (film)
Carl Laemmle
presents
Mary Philbin
and
Conrad Veidt
in
Victor Hugo's
classic
The Man Who Laughs
A
Paul Leni
Production
Adaptation & continuity
J. Grubb Alexander
Story supervision
Dr. Bela Sekely
Supervising film editor
Maurice Pivar
Production Supervision
Paul Kohner
Technical & art directors
Charles D. Hall—Joseph Wright—Thomas O'Neil
Technical research
Prof. R. H. Newlands
Titles
Walter Anthony
Film editor
Edward Cahn
Photography
Gilbert Warrenton
Production staff
John M. Voshell—Jay Marchant—Louis Friedlander
Directed by
Paul Leni
Universal Pictures CorporationCarl Laemmle
President
Players
| Dea | Mary Philbin | |
| Gwynplaine | Conrad Veidt | |
| Gwynplaine [as a child] | Julius Molnar, Jr. | |
| Duchess Josiana | Olga Baclanova | |
| Barkilphedro | Brandon Hurst | |
| Ursus | Cesare Gravina | |
| Lord Dirry-Moir | Stuart Holmes | |
| King James | Sam DeGrasse | |
| Dr. Hardquanonne | George Siegmann | |
| Queen Anne | Josephine Crowell | |
| Innkeeper | Charles Puffy | |
| Homo, the Wolf | "Zimbo" | |
17th Century
England
His Majesty,
King James II.
Barkilphedro—Jester to the King.
—but all his jests were cruel and all his smiles were false.
"Your Majesty——Lord Clancharlie is captured!"
"Alive?"
"So, the proud rebel who refused to kiss our hand, returns from exile to kiss the 'Iron Lady'."
"I came back to find my little son. What have you done with him?"
"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."
"Comprachicos!"
"And they paid my Barkilphedro well for the little fellow."
"To the Iron Lady!"
"My poor little son—God help him!"
The Comprachicos being gypsy traders in stolen children; And practicing certain Unlawful Surgical Arts, whereby they Carve the living Flesh of these Children and transform them into Monstrous Clowns and Jesters.
Therefore all Comprachicos and hereby banished from England under pain of death
The Comprachicos being gypsy traders in stolen children; And Practicing certain Unlawful Surgical Arts, whereby they Carve the living Flesh of these Children and transform them into Monstrous Clowns and Jesters.
Therefore all Comprachicos and hereby banished from England under pain of death
"Leave that boy behind!"
The Comprachico surgeon, Doctor Hardquanonne.
"Bring that boy back!"
"We want no victims to convict us of our trade!"
"That boy is ours by order of the King—he means money to us!"
"Who disturbs the rest of Ursus——the philosopher?"
"Be quiet, Homo!"
"My name is Gwynplaine, and I'm cold and hungry."
"What—are there two of you?"
"Blind!"
"Stop laughing."
"Stop laughing, I say!"
"I'm not laughing!"
"Comprachicos!"
Prosperous years followed for Father Ursus and the little green van.
Gwynplaine, now a strolling player—famous throughout the countryside as 'The Laughing Man'.
Gwynplaine
Who Laughs
In the sightless eyes of Dea, the image of Gwynplaine stood always in a shaft of light.
"The Laughing Man is coming!"
Ursus ye Philosopher presents
The Laughing Man
Don't fail to see Gwynplaine who was deserted at ye age of ten on ye night of ye 29th. of January 1690 by ye Villainous Comprachicos on ye coast of Cornwall. This little boy has grown up and is now known as
The Laughing Man
Gwynplaine
The Laughing Man
"You have a wonderful clown—he's worth a lot of money."
"I, too, have freaks—a pig with two snouts and a cow with five legs."
"You're going to Southwark Fair, too?"
"My name is Hardquanonne. I shall get better acquainted with you and——your laughing man."
Southwark Fair—supported by the Queen's bounty—a rattle for the masses to make them laugh and forget.
The Fire Proof Man
Herein is to be seen the greatest collection of strange and wierd oddities of nature on earth
The First being a strange Monstrous Creature brought from the Coast of Brazil having a Head like a Child Arms & legs like a serpant. The next is the little [...]
[...] Noble Jackal & Many other Ferocious Beasts.
Thomas Dale
Not 3 feet High—30 years of age
HW
He Swallows Three Sworts at One Time
Nature's Strangest Oddity
The Five Legged Cow
"See him! Gwynplaine! The Laughing Man!"
"I want you to deliver a message to a Duchess—it's important!"
With Permission
Ursus the Philosopher Presents
The Incomparable Gwynplaine
with his variety of drolleries
and
Dea the Beauteous Blind Maind
also
L'homme qui rit—A Two Act Comedy
Tadcaster InnAfter October 12
"Is this how you rehearse your part?"
"I'll cure you of this lovesickness—you shall be married before we leave Southwark Fair."
"Why do you always draw away from me when Ursus speaks of marriage?"
"Dea, I haven't the right even to love you."
"Gwynplaine, my life belongs to you."
"You would marry me then, my Dea—without seeing me?"
"Hear how they laugh at me—nothing but a clown!"
"A message from Doctor Hardquanonne for the Duchess Josiana——important."
The ambitious Barkilphedro prospered even after the death of his patron, King James.
"I have a letter for the Duchess Josiana—and they won't let me in."
From Doctor Hardquanonne to the
Duchess Josiana.
Respectful and most humble greetings,
Through our former sovereign, James II, you enjoy the estates of Lord Clancharlie.
But Lord Clancharlie has an heir. He is alive. His existence is known only to me.
I need say no more. You are rich. If you want to buy my silence meet,
Through our former sovereign, James II, you enjoy the estates of Lord Clancharlie.
But Lord Clancharlie has an heir. He is alive. His existence is known only to me.
One word from me and you will be penniless. If you want to buy my silence, meet,
at the Southwark Fair.
"The Queen is inflicting another concert on the Court this afternoon—I'll read the invitation to your Grace."
"Bother her old concert! Tell me the latest scandal."
"There is a new scandal on the wing—but rather close to your Grace, I fear."
"Can it possibly concern my beloved Dirry-Moir?"
"But then, my betrothed is too stupid to make an interesting scandal."
"You'll be interested, my dear Duchess—but her Majesty must be the first to hear."
"It was an apple that got Eve into trouble—my dear Duchess."
The scandal starts—
"I have great news for Your Majesty, touching the insolent Josiana."
"Dirry-Moir!"
"Your betrothed needs lessons in manners. She insults us again with her absence."
"My Lady Josiana's disrespect grieves me deeply. May I not go and fetch her?"
"If I should find this heir, your Majesty would not fail to reward her faithful Barkilphedro?"
"It were better for you to succeed, for I still have—the Iron Lady!"
A more inviting and familiar seat awaited her Grace, the Duchess Josiana—at Southwark Fair.
5 Legged Cow
"Are you the Dr. Hardquanonne who sent a letter to her Grace, the Duchess Josiana?"
"I have the proof."
"Take him to the torture chamber!"
Gwynplaine
L'homme qui rit
Gwynplaine
The Man Who Laughs
Dea the Beauteous Blind Maid
"Gwynplaine, you're getting famous! The crowd is bigger than ever!"
Audience
Gwynplaine! Gwynplaine! Gwynplaine!
"Gwynplaine! Gwynplaine!"
"Gwynplaine!"
"Gwynplaine! Bring on Gwynplaine!"
"It's wonderful how my Gwynplaine makes the people laugh—even when he is sad."
"This way, to see the Man Who Laughs!"
"Get to the concert as quickly as you can! The Queen is raging."
"Hey——we saw her first!"
"To the Royal Palace!"
"Never fear, dear Duchess, I am ever near you."
"You allow ruffians at Southwark Fair greater liberties than your betrothed, my dear."
"I do what I please and I'm going there again to see that laughing clown!"
With Permission
Ursus the Philosopher Presents
The Incomparable Gwynplaine
with his variety of drolleries
and
Dea the Beauteous Blind Maind
also
L'homme qui rit—A Two Act Comedy
Tadcaster InnAfter October 12
With Permission
Ursus the Philosopher Presents
The Incomparable Gwynplaine
with his variety of drolleries
and
Dea the Beauteous Blind Maind
also
L'homme qui rit—A Two Act Comedy
Tadcaster InnVivat ReginaAfter October 12
Gwynplaine
"We have a great lady with us, tonight. Nothing less than a duchess, I'm sure!"
"I wrote this play myself, after the manner of a certain Shakespeare—only much better!"
"What a success! And did you see that beautiful lady in the box?"
"Was she really so beautiful, Gwynplaine?"
"What a lucky clown you are—you don't have to rub off your laugh."
I am she who did not laugh. Was it pity or was it love? My page will meet you at midnight.
"A woman has seen my face and yet may love me!"
"If such a thing is possible, then I have the right to marry Dea."
"Forget such nonsense. Dea loves you—and she'll never see your face."
"Gwyn—plaine!"
"You stay with Dea—"
To her Grace, The Duchess Josiana:
God has ordained that the heir to Lord Chancharlies estates, which you now enjoy, has been identified in the person of a mountebank.
I hesitate to send you this [...]
I hesitate to say that this rightful heir is called Gwynplaine, the Laughing Clown.
Having regard for your welfare, [...]
Having regard for your welfare, I annul your betrothal to Lord Dirry-Moir and decree that you marry said Gwynplaine whom I am about to restore to his heritage, which you will share.
"She laughed, Homo—like all the others!"
)Singer
And sings a song divine,
Then love reveals just what I'd impart,
When my heart calls to thine.
An everlasting shrine.
When love comes stealing into my heart,
I know the world is mine.
"God closed my eyes so I could see only the real Gwynplaine."
"Where is the clown, Gwynplaine? He's under arrest."
"Don't tell Dea—"
"Go to sleep, Dea. Gwynplaine and I have business at the Inn."
"They are taking him to Chatham Prison. Dea must not know!"
"Those who go in there never come out—don't wait."
"The show is over—"
"Dr. Hardquanonne died in Chatham Prison. His confession proves beyond doubt that Gwynplaine is Lord Clancharlie's lost son."
"My poor Josiana——it grieves me that she must marry a clown to retain her fortune."
"Your Majesty is always the kindest of monarchs."
"The clown, Gwynplaine, is still a prisoner. Tomorrow he will be made a Peer in the House of Lords."
"It must be time for the performance."
"How can you tell Dea—and break her heart?"
"Dea must not know. The performance must go on."
"Gwynplaine! Gwynplaine!"
Multiple
Gwynplaine! Gwynplaine! [...]
"Gwynplaine! Bring on Gwynplaine!"
"Gwynplaine! Gwynplaine! We want Gwynplaine!"
"The crowd is gathering bigger than ever. Listen to them calling for Gwynplaine!"
"I will now introduce the great playwright—Ursus."
"You shall see—my Mystery Play—like Shakespeare—only much better!"
"It is called 'Chaos Vanquished'—it ends in light and——laughter——!"
The
Man
Who
Laughs
"It is your entrance, Dea."
Audience
Gwynplaine! Gwynplaine! [...]
"For reasons of state, you are banished from England. You leave tomorrow."
"Gwynplaine, the laughing mountebank, is dead."
"My Gwynplaine—I can't believe it!"
"Make way for a Peer of England."
On their way to the London docks. Banished!
"Make way for a Peer of England!"
"Some buffoons have stopped our progress. It is but a few steps——will you deign to walk?"
"Where are you taking me, Homo?"
"It's outrageous—a clown in the House of Peers—behold his banner and his crest!"
With Permission
Ursus the Philosopher Presents
The Incomparable Gwynplaine
with his variety of drolleries
and
Dea the Beauteous Blind Maind
also
L'homme qui rit—A Two Act Comedy
Tadcaster InnAfter October 12
"So they all have forgotten the Laughing Man's little sweetheart!"
"Come with me. We will surprise my Lord Gwynplaine and overwhelm Her Majesty, the Queen."
"Lord Clancharlie, Baron Clancharlie, Marquis of Corleone, be you welcome among your peers, the lords spiritual and temporal of Great Britain."
"—and the Queen also decrees that Lord Clancharlie shall take to wife, her Grace, the Duchess Josiana."
"He laughs at the Queen's command!"
"He laughs at the House of Lords!"
"Can't you tell he's in there? Listen to them laugh!"
"You must not go in that door, child—come, I'll show you the way."
"I protest!"
"I shall not be forced into this hateful marriage——not even on the Queen's command!"
"How dare you refuse the hand of a Duchess——you clown!"
"A King made me a clown!"
"A gracious Queen has made you a Lord——you will honor her Majesty's command!"
"A Queen made me a Lord—"
"But first, God made me a man!"
"Make way for a Peer of England!"
"Seize this laughing clown, who dares insult the Queen of England!"
"Gwynplaine, the clown, goes back to his people! You go to the Queen for your reward!"
"It's Gwynplaine! Our Laughing Man is back!"
Crowd
Gwynplaine! Gwynplaine! Gwynplaine! [...]
"Dea—where is Dea?"
"They were ordered to leave England. You may still find them at the docks."
"To the tower! He's trapped!"
"Quick! Drive to the docks!"
"Dea!"
"Dea!"
"Dea!"
"Homo!"
"Search the docks!"
)Female singer
And sings a song divine,
Then love reveals just what I'd impart,
When my heart calls to thine.
An everlasting shrine.
When love comes stealing into my heart,
Then I know the world is mine.
"Dea!"
Finis
Male and female singer together
And sings a song divine,
Then love reveals just what I'd impart,
When my heart calls to thine.
An everlasting shrine.
When love comes stealing into my heart,
Then I know the world is mine.
This is repeated at the request of picture patrons who desire to check the names of performers whose work has pleased them.
Players
| Dea | Mary Philbin | |
| Gwynplaine | Conrad Veidt | |
| Gwynplaine [as a child] | Julius Molnar, Jr. | |
| Duchess Josiana | Olga Baclanova | |
| Barkilphedro | Brandon Hurst | |
| Ursus | Cesare Gravina | |
| Lord Dirry-Moir | Stuart Holmes | |
| King James | Sam DeGrasse | |
| Dr. Hardquanonne | George Siegmann | |
| Queen Anne | Josephine Crowell | |
| Innkeeper | Charles Puffy | |
| Homo, the Wolf | "Zimbo" | |
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published in 1928, before the cutoff of January 1, 1929.
Copyright law abroad tends to consider the following people authors of a film:
- The principal director
- The screenwriter, and/or other writers of dialogue
- The composer/lyricist (if the film is accompanied by sound)
- The cinematographer
- By extension, the authors of any works that may serve as the basis for a film's plot
The longest-living of these authors died in 1980, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 43 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse