THE BLUE ANGEL / Der blaue Engel

Germany – 1930 – B&W –124’

Dir.: Josef von Sternberg | Scr.: Carl Zuckmayer, Karl Vollmöller, Robert Liebmann, Josef von Sternberg, Heinrich Mann (adapted from the novel «Professor Unrat» by Heinrich Mann) | Cin..: Günther Rittau, Hans Schneeberger | Ed.: Walter Klee | Mus.: Friedrich Hollaender, Robert Liebmann (lyrics), Franz Waxman (instrumentation) | Cast: Marlene Dietrich, Emil Jannings, Kurt Gerron, Rosa Valetti, Hans Albers | Prod.: Erich Pommer

The strict, elderly Professor Rath, in an attempt to shield his students from youthful "moral slips", visits the nightclub The Blue Angel -their usual haunt-intending to set things straight. However, his encounter with the enchanting singer Lola Lola draws him into a destructive, uncontrollable passion that ultimately leads to his personal and social downfall.

This timeless melodrama about desire, power and humiliation became the first German sound film to achieve international acclaim. It was a massive success and launched Marlene Dietrich’s luminous star worldwide. Here she collaborated for the first time (of a total of seven times) with director Josef von Sternberg, delivering an unforgettable femme fatale. Her iconic performance—both in German and later in English—of the song "Falling in Love Again (Can't Help It)" made it a classic and inspired countless covers by artists such as The Beatles and many others.