Really? The world's greatest? Why yes! King of Comedy! Prince of Pathos! He makes the one-toothed planet go crosseyed with mirth.

Langdon's character was the naif, the child-like innocent, trusting and sincere - a foil for the cynical Twenties, if you like, or a sentimental representation of the audience's own values. At the peak of his career he was regarded as the equal of the three great comics, and like his more famous peers, he decided to direct his own work. Not wise. The pictures got worse and the BO declined.

As a mime, he didn't exactly flourish in talkies, either. His career did a long slow fade, but he never stopped working, and took parts right up until he croaked. Was he good? You'll see.