The 1928 Classic Film THE MAN WHO LAUGHS Has Entered Public Domain
The 1928 silent film, The Man Who Laughs, a film that inspired the creation of the iconic Batman villain The Joker, entered the public domain today, on Monday, January 1, 2024.
The Man Who Laughs was directed by German filmmaker Paul Leni, and it’s based on Victor Hugo's novel of the same name. The film is a dark and atmospheric melodrama set in 17th century England and follows the tragic life of Gwynplaine, a disfigured man with a perpetual grin carved into his face as a child.
Raised by a group of wanderers, Gwynplaine becomes a famous sideshow attraction due to his grotesque appearance. Amidst the backdrop of political intrigue and societal cruelty, he falls in love with Dea, a blind girl, forming a touching and unconventional romance.
Conrad Veidt stars in the film and he delivers a haunting performance. His portrayal of Gwynplaine, a man with a grotesque permanent smile, is both physically demanding and emotionally charged. Veidt conveys a complex range of emotions through his eyes and body language. He successfully brings out the inner turmoil and anguish of Gwynplaine, making the audience empathize with his tragic fate. His work in “The Man Who Laughs" remains a standout in the history of cinema, leaving a lasting impact on audiences even decades after its release.
James Gunn recently said of Conrad Veidt: "Conrad Veidt in Paul Leni's The Man Who Laughs (1928), based on Victor Hugo's novel. The film was a silent romantic melodrama – Veidt's character was the hero; the smile was carved into his face as a boy by a Comprachico (a fictional group of people who reshaped the physical appearance of children like a pruner would a Bonsai tree). Bill Finger, Kane & Jerry Robinson couldn't agree on much but they all agreed Veidt's portrayal was the inspiration for the Joker in the comics."
Now that the film is in the public domain, anyone has the freedom to do anything they want with it. Remember when The Amityville Horror went to Public Domain, hundreds of crappy movies were made. I can see the same thing happening with The Man Who Laughs, but I hope that doesn’t happen.