The Shanghai Express 1932 Yay! A movie in English! And it takes place in China and is really ethnocentric and just a tad racist. Wait...
Marlene Dietrich may be one of my favorite actresses of all time. I always appreciate actresses that aren't drop dead gorgeous. They have to be successful by their talent and they have to carry themselves in a manner where they are really attractive to men. I think Nicole Kidman and Joan Blondell do (or the latter case, did) that well. This movie is about Marlene Dietrich and the plot, secondary characters, and scenery just seem immaterial when you watch this film.
I have always liked movies that take place on trains. They are always romantic, mysterious, and dark. My experiences on trains has always been rather underwhelming. I think the trick is to get a sleeping car. Anyway, a really good movie that will make you to head the Marlene Dietrich fan club.
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
China banned the movie and demanded a world wide withdrawal. The studio had to promise to never make a film about Chinese politics again.
This movie used 1000 extras. I just automatically typed 1001 and had to correct myself. Wow...
Der Blaue Engel The Blue Angel 1930 And so we kick off the thirties. This should be an interesting decade and I think more so than the twenties, at least as far as America goes.
So Marlene Dietrich is pretty much the same character that Louise Brooks is in Pandora's Box (Dietrich was actually supposed to play Lulu). Now, you can watch the German or the English version because they were filmed at the same time. I went for authenticity and watched the German one (aka the German version was available on Watch Instantly and the English one wasn't). Anyway, a strict German teacher falls in love with a flapper.
The actors in these movies are getting better and better. However, this movie really didn't do it for me. I didn't understand why some scenes were even in the film and I found myself getting bored quite often. Not great.
RATING: ***--
Interesting Facts:
Marlene Dietrich was pretty unknown at the time and was certain she wouldn't get the role.
Emil Janning's (who we have seen before) first English film.
Docks of New York 1928 We are nearing the end of the last full year of silent films. The last silent movie that we will watch is called City Lights and is in 1931. It kind of makes me sad because I feel like the silent films are getting better and better. Back to the movie at hand...
This film is about a woman who is a tall drink of water and this kind of old geeze (they of course end up together; in his dreams!). She is clinically depressed and tries to commit suicide. He saves her and they go out, and after being charmed by his naked tattoos they sleep together. I won't tell more of the plot because I don't want to spoil it.
This was a peculiar movie. The acting was really good and the plot was risque for its time and at times interesting. However, it felt a little bit less modern than the others have. For instance, there were tons of title cards so you had to pay strict attention (not that I ever let my mind wander during long silent films!). It just felt like we went back a couple years. Also, I don't think someone that tried to kill herself would just go out and party afterwards; wouldn't she try again? Besides these grievances, this isn't a bad film. Just not an extremely interesting one.
RATING: ***--
Interesting Facts:
The two female actresses in this film look exactly alike. Why do they do this to us?
Could not find any more trivial facts. I apologize on behalf of the internet.
