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The Man Who Laughs

  • 1928
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
8.4K
YOUR RATING
Mary Philbin and Conrad Veidt in The Man Who Laughs (1928)
Trailer 1
Play trailer1:44
1 Video
99+ Photos
DramaHorrorMysteryRomanceThriller

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.

  • Director
    • Paul Leni
  • Writers
    • Victor Hugo
    • J. Grubb Alexander
    • Walter Anthony
  • Stars
    • Mary Philbin
    • Conrad Veidt
    • Julius Molnar
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.6/10
    8.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Paul Leni
    • Writers
      • Victor Hugo
      • J. Grubb Alexander
      • Walter Anthony
    • Stars
      • Mary Philbin
      • Conrad Veidt
      • Julius Molnar
    • 94User reviews
    • 51Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro

    • Videos1

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

    Photos154

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    Top cast44

    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)
    Tom Amandares
    • Shouting Man at wheel on ship
    • (uncredited)
    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)
    Carmen Castillo
    • Dea's Mother
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Paul Leni
    • Writers
      • Victor Hugo
      • J. Grubb Alexander
      • Walter Anthony
    • 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 reviews94

    Review
    Review
    Featured 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.
    • flip-23
    • Oct 10, 1999
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

    • How long is The Man Who Laughs?Powered by Alexa
    • 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(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 50 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Silent
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.20 : 1

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