The Blue Angel, 1930

How to go from ‘you’re the sweet in my coffee’ to a nervous breakdown in less than 3 minutes? The answer is in video.

Anything Blue Review: Lola-Lola (Marlene Dietrich), the Blue Angel

German-American actress and singer Marlene Dietrich was no angel, as you can conclude after seeing this phenomenal video archive from her cast for The Blue Angel (‘Der blaue Engel’, 1930), the movie that got her a ticket to Hollywood as Lola-Lola, a cabaret dancer.

This cinematographic treasure is brought to you by Open Culture (the ‘best free cultural & educational media on the web’), which also allows you to watch the movie online.

‘In 1929, Josef von Sternberg began assembling the cast for the first major German sound film – Der blaue Engel, otherwise known as The Blue Angel.

A classic of Weimar cinema, the 1930 film featured Marlene Dietrich playing Lola-Lola, a seductive singer in the local cabaret.

Lola-Lola was, it has been said, a ‘liberated woman of the world who chose her men, earned her own living and viewed sex as a challenge.’

The persona captivated audiences, and it made Dietrich an international star.’

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‘Immanuel Rath, an old bachelor, is a professor at the town’s university. When he discovers that some of his pupils often go into a speakeasy, The Blue Angel, to visit a dancer, Lola Lola, he comes there to confront them. But he is attracted to Lola. The next night he comes again – and does not sleep at home. This causes trouble at work and his life takes a downward spiral.’

Source + more Marlene Dietrich’s Temperamental Screen Test for The Blue Angel, by Dan Colman, Aug 2011@ Open Culture

The Blue Angel, 1930 @ Open Culture – Anything Blue

Featured pictures (and more) from International Cinema Review

Watch the Blue Angel 1930 movie (for free!) on Open Culture (or click on the picture below)

The Blue Angel, 1930 @ Open Culture – Anything Blue