Silent Movie Day 2024
Silent Movie Day (9/29) at The Nightlight
Don’t miss one of the most significant proto-horror films!
On Sunday, September 29, 2024, The Nightlight is excited to celebrate Silent Film Day with one of the greatest, THE MAN WHO LAUGHS, Paul Levi’s 1928 adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic book.
🎞️ THE MAN WHO LAUGHS (1928) • 4:30 PM
The Man Who Laughs is a 1928 silent film directed by Paul Leni, adapted from Victor Hugo's novel of the same name. The film stars Conrad Veidt as Gwynplaine, a young nobleman whose mouth has been grotesquely mutilated to form a permanent smile, and Mary Philbin as Dea, a blind woman who loves him despite his disfigurement.
“A melodrama, at times even a swashbuckler, but so steeped in Expressionist gloom that it plays like a horror film.”
The film is notable for its striking visuals and emotional depth, particularly Veidt's portrayal of Gwynplaine, which conveys both the character's tragic backstory and his longing for acceptance. The film's themes of identity, societal cruelty, and the contrast between appearance and reality resonate strongly throughout the narrative, making it a significant work in silent cinema history.
MOVIE BUFF TRIVIA: Bob Kane, the creator of Batman, drew direct inspiration from Conrad Veidt's portrayal of Gwynplaine when designing the iconic villain, the Joker. This connection has cemented the film's place in pop culture history.
COMING SOON
HALLOWEEK AT THE NIGHTLIGHT
Classic and future-classic horror films, over 7 frightfully fun nights.