Only once in her long Hollywood career did ACADEMY AWARD nominee Marlene DIETRICH (she was nominated for her role in MOROCCO in 1931) work with director Ernst LUBITSCH (1892 - 1947).
In ANGEL from 1937, Marlene DIETRICH plays a woman from upper society named Maria Barker who has a happy marriage to the influential politician Sir Frederick Barker (Herbert MARSHALL). It's just stupid that the husband has to travel to the League of Nations in Geneva so often to conduct important negotiations there. Maria is a bit bored alone in London, so she sets off on a weekend trip to Paris. In the salon of Grand Duchess Anna (Laura Hope CREWS), who fled the Soviet Union, she meets the charming Anthony (Melvyn DOUGLAS), to whom she does not reveal her real name. For him she is simply an angel! Back in London, things happen as they have to: it turns out that Frederick and Anthony know each other from the First World War and are almost like old friends. Can Maria hide the Parisian flirtation from her husband? And which of the two men will the neglected model wife choose? Questions upon questions...
Based on the piece ANGYAL by the Hungarian writer Melchior LENGYEL (also provided the template for NINOTSCHKA with Greta GARBO) and with music by the German composer Friedrich HOLLAENDER (1896 - 1976)! This film is certainly not the best film by ACADEMY AWARD (h.c.) winner Ernst LUBITSCH (he received the honorary OSCAR a few months before his death in 1947), but the whole thing is very cleverly and elegantly staged. Just Lubitsch touch!
The actor Melvyn DOUGLAS (1901 - 1981) received OSCAR honors twice more at an advanced age. In 1964 (HUD) and in 1980 (BEING THERE) he was awarded an ACADEMY AWARD. He received an additional nomination in 1971 for I NEVER SANG FOR MY FATHER. A Hollywood career spanning nearly five decades! Respect!
For Marlene DIETRICH (1901 - 1992), this film marked the end of her usual Hollywood seven-year contract with the major studio PARAMOUNT PICTURES. Since she was now considered "box office poison," the contract was not renewed. It was only through a supporting role in the Western DESTRY RIDES AGAIN two years later that DIETRICH was able to return to the front row of Hollywood stars. The audience probably wanted to see Marlene DIETRICH more as a half-silk Tingeltangel star and not as a fine lady.
In any case, this only collaboration between DIETRICH and LUBITSCH is definitely worth seeing. After all, you can always use an ANGEL.
In ANGEL from 1937, Marlene DIETRICH plays a woman from upper society named Maria Barker who has a happy marriage to the influential politician Sir Frederick Barker (Herbert MARSHALL). It's just stupid that the husband has to travel to the League of Nations in Geneva so often to conduct important negotiations there. Maria is a bit bored alone in London, so she sets off on a weekend trip to Paris. In the salon of Grand Duchess Anna (Laura Hope CREWS), who fled the Soviet Union, she meets the charming Anthony (Melvyn DOUGLAS), to whom she does not reveal her real name. For him she is simply an angel! Back in London, things happen as they have to: it turns out that Frederick and Anthony know each other from the First World War and are almost like old friends. Can Maria hide the Parisian flirtation from her husband? And which of the two men will the neglected model wife choose? Questions upon questions...
Based on the piece ANGYAL by the Hungarian writer Melchior LENGYEL (also provided the template for NINOTSCHKA with Greta GARBO) and with music by the German composer Friedrich HOLLAENDER (1896 - 1976)! This film is certainly not the best film by ACADEMY AWARD (h.c.) winner Ernst LUBITSCH (he received the honorary OSCAR a few months before his death in 1947), but the whole thing is very cleverly and elegantly staged. Just Lubitsch touch!
The actor Melvyn DOUGLAS (1901 - 1981) received OSCAR honors twice more at an advanced age. In 1964 (HUD) and in 1980 (BEING THERE) he was awarded an ACADEMY AWARD. He received an additional nomination in 1971 for I NEVER SANG FOR MY FATHER. A Hollywood career spanning nearly five decades! Respect!
For Marlene DIETRICH (1901 - 1992), this film marked the end of her usual Hollywood seven-year contract with the major studio PARAMOUNT PICTURES. Since she was now considered "box office poison," the contract was not renewed. It was only through a supporting role in the Western DESTRY RIDES AGAIN two years later that DIETRICH was able to return to the front row of Hollywood stars. The audience probably wanted to see Marlene DIETRICH more as a half-silk Tingeltangel star and not as a fine lady.
In any case, this only collaboration between DIETRICH and LUBITSCH is definitely worth seeing. After all, you can always use an ANGEL.