A meditation on the disfiguring effects of low self-esteem.
Conrad Veidt is moving as Gwynplaine, deliberately mutilated in youth and forever relegated to the role of sideshow clown. Also interesting is Josiana (Olga Baclanova - later to appear in 1932's "Freaks"), a lascivious duchess who toys with the tortured performer.
Still, I found the movie to drag a bit in parts. Beautiful as she is, Mary Philbin's Dea lacks depth. And we never discover for ourselves exactly what makes Gwynplaine such a hit at the Southwark fairgrounds. The film would have benefited from tighter editing.
I did like this movie for an opportunity to look up the life of author Victor Hugo, whose daughter inspired the much later film, "The Story of Adele H," which I highly recommend.
Conrad Veidt is moving as Gwynplaine, deliberately mutilated in youth and forever relegated to the role of sideshow clown. Also interesting is Josiana (Olga Baclanova - later to appear in 1932's "Freaks"), a lascivious duchess who toys with the tortured performer.
Still, I found the movie to drag a bit in parts. Beautiful as she is, Mary Philbin's Dea lacks depth. And we never discover for ourselves exactly what makes Gwynplaine such a hit at the Southwark fairgrounds. The film would have benefited from tighter editing.
I did like this movie for an opportunity to look up the life of author Victor Hugo, whose daughter inspired the much later film, "The Story of Adele H," which I highly recommend.