Scaramouche (1923) (MOD)

Scaramouche (1923) (MOD)"He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad." Thus opens Rafael Sabatini's historical novel on which this fanciful film is based, following the sensational exploits of a young lawyer thrown into the tumult of the French Revolution. There he becomes an actor portraying the celebrated character Scaramouche, a chameleon who plays both rogue and fool. First published in 1921, it became an instant bestseller, flying onto the

Roberti suffered a fatal heart attack the year after this film was released

so he joins the Coast Guard

The Glass Slipper is a perfect fit

What Blynn doesn't know is that his exotic discovery

David Maldon (Van Johnson) nearly drowned during World War 2 - in a flood of brandy

whose fractured English and sparkling comedy skills made her a Broadway smash opposite Bob Hope in Roberta

So have the convoluted steps leading to the suspense-filled end of The Spiral Staircase

murderous walking tree stump

When Sebastian learns his new deckhand's identity

tension grows until it finally erupts in a shock of violence

Directed by the accomplished Archie Mayo (The Petrified Forest

But there's no escaping his own mind