Tubby Thackeray was once the biggest comedian in the world — people literally laughed themselves to death at some of his performances. But almost nothing of his silent movies has survived, and now Thackeray is little more than a grace note in film history.
Disgraced film critic Simon is determined to restore Tubby’s reputation and his own. A commercially successful biography of Tubby will convince Simon’s girlfriend — and her parents — that Simon is worthy of her.
Uncovering the truth about Tubby isn’t easy. Newspapers of the time contain mysterious, truncated accounts of disturbing events at Tubby’s performances and at screenings of his films. The few seconds of film Simon finds of Tubby in action are profoundly disquieting; Tubby seems more demon than comedian. Tubby’s leering, laughing clown’s face haunts Simon. Everywhere he turns, he sees the clown’s sardonic grin; his faintly glowing white costume; or his long, oddly jointed limbs.
Tubby Thackeray is dead. But the evil that was Tubby Thackeray lives, and Simon’s investigations have roused its hunger.