Lon Chaney poses no threat to anyone but himself in Laugh Clown Laugh, a film that borrows slightly from the tragic theme of Leoncavallo's opera Pagliacci (the actual name of the clown act in which Chaney performs). As Tito Beppi, Chaney is far from menacing as he brings laughter and joy to all ages as an acrobatic mirth maker in his traveling act with fellow bozo Simon. Early in the film they come upon an abandoned child which Simon wants to drop off at an orphanage but Tito insists on raising. Ironically she is named Simonetta (played by a stunning 14 year old Loretta Young) and she grows into a beautiful young lady. Tito senses a shift in his love for the child and attempts to combat these urges. Meanwhile Simonetta meets the dashing Count Luigi Ravelli (Nils Asther) briefly and he becomes smitten with her. Time passes and Beppi and Ravelli meet in a psychiatrist office where they are both being treated for depression. They become fast friends helping each other out but problems arise when Luigi falls hard for Simonetta. Tito has never made his full intentions known to her and in true Chaney fashion he bears the brunt of pain and sacrifice.
The circus world Tito inhabits is a far cry from and more antiseptic take than the dark world of the armless knife thrower in The Unknown. For the most part Tito is a pretty happy go lucky guy at odds with the incestuous implications involving Simonetta. Her happiness alone is what matters to him and he plots no revenge against his rival suitor, but he hurts bad. Chaney once again conveys the heartfelt tragic emotions that make him the great silent tragedian he is. Festooned in his uniform of joy Tito quickly spirals into self mocking, regaling the audience with laughter while Simon off stage exhorts "Laugh clown laugh, even though your heart is breaking" (Is this where Chaplin got the idea for his song smile?).
While Tito may be a watered down Chaney character and Herbert Brenon's direction may lack the subversiveness and ambiance of a Todd Browning collaboration, Laugh Clown Laugh is never the less a solid silent with an emotional punch.
The circus world Tito inhabits is a far cry from and more antiseptic take than the dark world of the armless knife thrower in The Unknown. For the most part Tito is a pretty happy go lucky guy at odds with the incestuous implications involving Simonetta. Her happiness alone is what matters to him and he plots no revenge against his rival suitor, but he hurts bad. Chaney once again conveys the heartfelt tragic emotions that make him the great silent tragedian he is. Festooned in his uniform of joy Tito quickly spirals into self mocking, regaling the audience with laughter while Simon off stage exhorts "Laugh clown laugh, even though your heart is breaking" (Is this where Chaplin got the idea for his song smile?).
While Tito may be a watered down Chaney character and Herbert Brenon's direction may lack the subversiveness and ambiance of a Todd Browning collaboration, Laugh Clown Laugh is never the less a solid silent with an emotional punch.