“THE MAN WHO LAUGHS.”

Wairarapa Age, 22 August 1929, Page 5

“THE MAN WHO LAUGHS.”

UNIVERSAL’S SUPER-PICTURE. Despite the adverse weather conditions and the numerous attractions in Masterton during the past week picture patrons turned out in force last evening to witness the opening presentation of a three-night season of Universal’s fetupendous production of Victor Hugo’s classic, “The Man Who Laughs.” The audience sat enthralled at the magnificence of the picture and it is safe to predict bumper houses for the remainder of the season. It is one of the most powerful d/ramas executed as well as the most lavish depiction of eighteen century atmosphere. This beautiful romance of a maimed mountebank and a beautiful blind girl, enacted by Conrad Veidt and Mary Philbin, was directed by Paul Leni, internationally celebrated master of direction. Lavishly beautiful settings' and romantic atmosphere feature this photoplay, the period of which is laid in England in 1705, during the reign of Queen Anno. The many famous figures of her court move prominently through the picture. “The Man Who Laughs” is even more magnificent and gripping than “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” the Victor Hugo classic brought to the screen so impressively by Universal years ago. A cast of 5,000 is one of the many outstanding features of “The Man Who Laughs.” One of the most remarkable features of “The Man Who Laughs” is the excellent work of the principal characters in e'xprossing the most and also the tender emotions, despite the unusual limitations of their roles. Conrad Veidt registers pain, despair, joy anj love my means of his eyes and the muscles of the upper part of his face. His mouth is a grinning mockery. Mary Philbin conveys the blind Dea’s tragic need in spite of blank, unseeing eyes. Brandon Hurst portrays the craftiness and sly humour of the court jester from behind a network of wrinkles and a mask of sheer ugliness. Olga Baclanova, however, exerts her seductive charm unhampered by anything more substantial than powdered ringlets and some of the most alluring costumes that have ever graced a picture. The supporting company includes such distinguished players as George fiiegmann, Stuart Holmes. Julius Molnar, Jr., Torben Mayer, Nick de Ruiz, Sam de Grasse, Cesare Gravina, Edgar Norton, Charles Puffy, Frank Pugila and Carmon Costello.