Old Gold and Black · May 23, 2015
Revealing The Man Who Laughs (1928)
Photo courtesy of http://bobbyriverstv.blogspot.com/In 1928, The Man Who Laughs, directed by Paul Leni, was released. The story centralizes around 1690 England on Gwynplaine, a young man whose face was disfigured as a child due to his noble father’s refusal to kiss the ring of King James II. His disfigurement is ultimately a carved smile that fascinates and frightens people he encounters throughout his life.
Despite his disfigurement though, he finds two companions that remain loyal to him: the blind Dea, whom he had saved as a child, and the charlatan Ursus. Gwynplaine eventually falls in love with Dea, but does not feel he is worthy of a marriage since she is incapable of seeing his face.