Laugh, Clown, Laugh

Beverly Hills, CA: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer [MGM], 1927. Shooting script for the 1928 film. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer file copy, with rubber stamps on the front wrapper indicating such. Carbon typescript, with descriptive text and intertitles in black type. A few typeovers and annotations in manuscript pencil throughout. A rare example of a silent film screenplay.

Based on the 1923 stage adaptation by David Belasco and Tom Cushing, about professional clowns Tito (Chaney) and Simon (Siegel), who take in an abandoned child and name her Simonetta (Young, who was 15 at the time). When Simonetta is older, she joins the circus, and meets Count Luigi Ravelli (Asther), who becomes infatuated with her. Ravelli consults a doctor about his fits of uncontrollable laughter, and there he meets Tito, who has come to seek help for his fits of uncontrollable weeping. The two decide to help each other, but soon find they are both vying for Simonetta's love.

Nominated for an Academy Award in 1929 for Best Title Writing, the only year for that category.

Set in Italy, shot on location in Elysian Park (a suburb of Los Angeles, California).

Blue studio wrappers, noted as FIRST TEMPORARY INCOMPLETE on the front wrapper, rubber-stamped production No. 1640 and copy No. 5236, dated November 19, 1927, with credits for playwrights Belasco and Cushing, and screenwriter Meehan. 72 leaves, carbon typescript, on watermarked onionskin stock. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Very Good, now encapsulated in mylar, bound with two gold brads.

Blake (2001) US.

[Book #134524]