Sunday 19 October 2014

Angel (1937 Ernst Lubitsch)

Typically subtle and sophisticated Lubitsch film finds Melvyn Douglas in what is clearly some sort of high class brothel meeting and falling for Marlene Dietrich (who, the implication is, used to work there) - who is married to diplomat Herbert Marshall. In fact there's a double romantic triangle here as both men also shared the same girl, Paulette, in WW1. Not one of his funniest, with most of the humour coming from Edward Everett Horton and the other members of the household staff.

Based on  a play by Melchior Lengyel (the source for Ninotchka and To Be or Not To Be), screenwritten by Samson Raphaelson (Heaven Can Wait, The Shop Around the Corner, Trouble in Paradise). Shot by Charles Lang; for Paramount.

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