In that Golden Age of Hollywood that everybody’s always talking about there were only two directors whose names meant anything to the public and critics: Cecil B. DeMille and Ernst Lubitsch. —claudette colbert
None of us thought we were making anything but entertainment for the moment. Only Ernst Lubitsch knew we were making art. - John Ford
Films by German directors are an essential part of post World War One German Culture. From the groundbreaking silent classics of the Weimer Republic to the movies of Leni Reisenthal in celebration of Nazi rule, beloved by Goebels, to modern Oscar winners, I am pleased to see German Literature Month XIII now welcomes posts on Films by German Directors
German Literature Month is hosted by Lizzy’s Literary Life
https://lizzysiddal2.wordpress.com/2023/09/22/announcing-german-literature-month-xiii/
In this year's German Literature Month is now inviting contributions on writers from Germany writing in another language. I am taking the liberty to expand this to directors born in Germany who produced movies in English, such as Ernst Lubitsch.
Ernst Lubitsch
Born: January 29, 1892, Berlin, Germany - produces several silent films
1922 Moves to Hollywood- Warner Pictures Signed him to a three year six picture contract
Died: November 30, 1947, Los Angeles, California, United States
Lubitsch directed two of my favourite movies, Ninotchka and To Be or Not to Be.
A Royal Scandal is the six film by Ernst Lubitsch so far featured on The Reading Life.
In August of 1944 Lubitsch had serious health issues, his doctors did not want him taking on the stress of directing a movie. He was then under contract to Fox Studios who made an arrangement in which Otto Preminger would direct A Royal Scandal and Lubitsch would produce it with a final cut authority.
With Lubitsch peering anxiously over his shoulder, Preminger managed to restrain whatever “creative” impulses he might have had by taking Lubitsch’s completed script and shooting it more or less verbatim. “Whatever changes I made were very small,” he said nearly thirty years later.
A Royal Scandal is a fictionalized account of the life of Russian Empress Catherine the Great, starring Tallulah Bankhead in the title role.
The film chronicles the tumultuous reign of Catherine the Great of Russia, focusing on her romantic entanglements and political maneuverings. Tallulah Bankhead delivers a captivating performance as Catherine, portraying her with a blend of intelligence, wit, and sensuality.
The story unfolds in the opulent surroundings of the Russian court, where intrigue and power struggles are the order of the day. Catherine's passionate affair with the dashing young officer Alexei Chernoff (William Eythe) ignites a political firestorm, as Chancellor Nicolai Ilyitch (Charles Coburn) and other court figures plot to exploit the situation for their own gain.
Amidst the political machinations, Countess Anna Jaschikoff (Anne Baxter) navigates the complexities of love and loyalty, torn between her devotion to Catherine and her heartbreak over the stolen affections of her fiancée.
A Royal Scandal is a witty and engaging historical costume drama, offering a glimpse into the life of a remarkable woman who dared to defy the norms of her time. The film's sharp dialogue, captivating performances, and lavish production values make it a timeless cinematic classic.
I found the repartee delightful, all written by Lubitsch, the acting marvelous (you may find an actor from Ninotchka in an important part).
Mel u
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