He Who Gets Slapped (1924) is an arty film, beautifully directed with interesting visuals and symbolism, but the aspect which always sticks with me is Lon Chaney's heartbreaking performance as the lovelorn scientist turned clown who sacrifices himself to save the happiness and virtue of aristocrat turned bareback rider Norma Shearer.
The first time I saw this film, I sobbed all through the last fourth. Chaney is just so moving without begging for sympathy or milking the pathos of his character's situation. Shearer and John Gilbert as the innocent young lovers contrast greatly with the worldliness and cynicism of the older characters who hold the couple's fate in their greedy hands.
While director Victor Sjostrom's best Hollywood work was undoubtedly The Wind (1928), I still prefer this film overall. The characters are all reminiscent fairy tale figures, true, but this simplicity is quite powerful.
The first time I saw this film, I sobbed all through the last fourth. Chaney is just so moving without begging for sympathy or milking the pathos of his character's situation. Shearer and John Gilbert as the innocent young lovers contrast greatly with the worldliness and cynicism of the older characters who hold the couple's fate in their greedy hands.
While director Victor Sjostrom's best Hollywood work was undoubtedly The Wind (1928), I still prefer this film overall. The characters are all reminiscent fairy tale figures, true, but this simplicity is quite powerful.