The Man Who Laughs

In 1680s England, James II of England sentences his political enemy, Lord Clancharlie, to death in an iron maiden (torture device). Clancharlie's son, Gwynplaine, is disfigured with a Glasgow smile by Comprachicos Dr. Hardquannone, so that he will "laugh forever at his fool of a father". When the comprachicos are exiled, Gwynplaine is deserted. He discovers a blind baby girl, Dea, who has also been abandoned. Together, they are taken in by the Charlatan Ursus.