The Blue Angel (1959 film)

The Blue Angel (1959 film) is a drama film directed by Edward Dmytryk, based on the 1905 novel Professor Unrat by Heinrich Mann, which was also the basis for the 1930 film The Blue Angel (1930 film) starring Marlene Dietrich and directed by Josef von Sternberg. The 1959 film features a cast including Curd Jürgens, May Britt, and Theodore Bickel, and was produced by Jerry Bresler. The movie is a remake of the classic UFA production, with Curd Jürgens playing the role of Professor Rath, a character similar to the one played by Emil Jannings in the original.

Plot

The plot of the film revolves around Professor Rath, a strict and conservative teacher at a German school, who becomes infatuated with a cabaret singer, Lola-Lola, played by May Britt. As Professor Rath becomes more and more obsessed with Lola-Lola, he begins to lose his reputation and standing in the community, leading to a downward spiral of events. The film explores themes of Weimar Republic-era Germany, including the rise of Nazi Party and the decline of German culture. The story is also reminiscent of other classic films, such as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Metropolis, directed by Robert Wiene and Fritz Lang, respectively.

Production

The production of the film was handled by Jerry Bresler, who worked with director Edward Dmytryk to bring the story to life. The film was shot on location in Germany and Austria, with a cast and crew that included Curd Jürgens, May Britt, and Theodore Bickel. The movie was released by 20th Century Fox, a major Hollywood studio, and was part of a wave of remakes and adaptations of classic films, including Ben-Hur (1959 film) and Some Like It Hot. The film's production team also included Hans J. Salter, who composed the score, and Leon Shamroy, who handled the cinematography.

Cast

The cast of the film includes Curd Jürgens as Professor Rath, May Britt as Lola-Lola, and Theodore Bickel as Kiepert. The cast also features John Banner and Fabrizio Mioni, among others. The film's cast is notable for its inclusion of European actors, such as Curd Jürgens, who was a well-known Austrian actor, and May Britt, who was a Swedish actress. The cast's performances were influenced by the works of Max Reinhardt and Bertolt Brecht, who were both major figures in German theatre.

Release

The film was released in 1959 by 20th Century Fox, and was part of a wave of drama films that explored themes of social commentary and psychological drama. The movie was released in the same year as other notable films, such as North by Northwest and Río Bravo, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and Howard Hawks, respectively. The film's release was also notable for its use of Cinemascope, a widescreen format that was popular in the 1950s and 1960s. The film's premiere was attended by notable figures, including Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, who were both major Hollywood stars.

Reception

The reception of the film was mixed, with some critics praising the performances of the cast, particularly Curd Jürgens and May Britt. The film was also notable for its exploration of themes such as obsession and decline, which were reminiscent of other classic films, such as Sunset Boulevard and The Lost Weekend. The film's reception was influenced by the works of Sigmund Freud and Friedrich Nietzsche, who were both major figures in philosophy and psychology. The film's score, composed by Hans J. Salter, was also praised by critics, and was reminiscent of the works of Max Steiner and Erich Wolfgang Korngold, who were both notable film composers. The film has since become a classic of 1950s cinema, and is still studied by film scholars and historians, including those at the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Southern California.

Category:1959 films