He Who Gets Slapped was the first feature conceived and produced entirely by the recently formed Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. Released in December 1924, the film was a huge success. It is a clear indication of Norma Shearer’s importance to the studio casting her alongside Lon Chaney and John Gilbert. Considered a prestige package, the film is based on the play by Leonid Andreyev and directed by Swedish import Victor Seastrom. It is a dark story of a young circus bareback rider Consuela (Shearer) who is in love with her riding partner Bezano (Gilbert). Chaney plays the character “He,” a fallen scientist turned circus clown whose act consists of being slapped repeatedly. Ultimately, the clown’s unrequited love for Consuela ends in disaster. (Darin Barnes)

Live piano accompaniment by Dr. Philip Carli presented in partnership with the Cleveland Silent Film Festival.