What to say of The Man Who Laughs (1928)? I suppose I wasn’t eager
to watch it at first. Wasn’t really sure how disfigured he (Conrad Veidt’s
character, Gwynplaine) would be. It just didn’t fit my idea of a horror film.
And, even though what I now consider a horror film has expanded since our band
of horror warrior first united over four years ago, I need to refine and
redefine it further.
I don’t necessarily want to harp on many current so-called
horror movies. Several of these I would term splatter or gross-out films. But, there are
some fine modern horror movies out there, and not just from the U.S. But, what we
once thought of as a horror film has changed.
One possible definition of horror is 'repulsive'. So, In The Man
Who Laughs, Gwynplaine’s disfigured face might be considered repulsive or horrifying to
some, although most often in the film the reaction of the other characters was
laughter. For myself, the horrifying part of the film concerned that which was done
to Gwynplaine.
Okay, enough philosophizing.
When The Man Who Laughs came out we were closing in on the tail end of the German Expressionist
era. The film hit theaters during the transition from silent
films to “talkies”, and the first feature-length talkie (The Jazz Singer) was released
just six months earlier. The Man Who Laughs had
sound effects and music, but no dialogue. And, I think, it’s perfect the way it
is. I’m not so sure that it wouldn’t have taken something away by having the
actors speak.
I felt great sympathy for Gwynplaine. The story begins with Gwynplaine as a small
boy, the prince, a victim of political betrayal and maneuverings he had no part
in. Surgically disfigured with a permanent grin, rather than horrified, tears
stung my eyes as I watched him in his early years, an outcast, trying to
survive. Then we see his gentle nature as he rescues an orphan girl. This is
no monster. He is the victim. Those who did this to him are the
monsters.
Our story picks up years later. Gwynplaine and Dea, the girl
he saved (who is blind), have an adopted father who loves them. All perform in
the old man’s travelling circus, where Gwynplaine is accepted among the other
performers.
I loved this movie, primarily due to Conrad Veidt’s ability
to show so much emotion with only his eyes. And, then, the storyline, too, was
wonderfully interwoven. I read that the ending of the movie differs from that
of Victor Hugo’s book, but I enjoyed the film so much I’m not sure I’ll read the
book. This is a genre-less movie, primarily because the story encompasses
everything from adventure to melodrama, political intrigue to love story. And,
we have a truly memorable character in Gwynplaine.
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