by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Laughter is a sophisticated romantic comedy belying the "fact" that most early talkies were stiff and dull. Nancy Carroll plays a Follies dancer who meets her goal of marrying a millionaire (Frank Morgan). Alas, her husband is a well-meaning bore, and soon Nancy begins seeking entertainment elsewhere. She reunites with her former boyfriend (Fredric March), a composer who seems to have a funny quip for every occasion. This adult affair is paralleled by the romance between Nancy's stepdaughter and a devil-may-care sculptor. Though the plot mechanics slow down towards the climax, Laughter manages to sustain the promise of its title for nearly 80 minutes.
characteristics
- Love
- Adulterer
- Infidelity
- Extramarital-affair
- Adultery
- Bail
- Arrest
- Suicide-attempt
- Rekindle
- Romance
- Romantic
- Millionaire
- Sculpture
- Show-biz
- Show-business
