Wikipedia image

Directed by J. von Sternberg, 1931, Germany, 107 mins., NR

Marlene Dietrich became an immediate international star for her performance as a temptress named Lola in Josef von Sternberg’s tale of obsession, based on the 1905 Heinreich Mann novel. A repressed schoolmaster (Emil Jannings) comes to inspect a sleazy cabaret where his students have been loitering, but his own demonic obsession with Lola soon leads him to a dark end in this classic story of the power of lust. Said Dietrich of her performance: “At the time I thought the film was vulgar and I was shocked by the whole thing. Remember, I was a well brought up German girl.” Shown in 35 mm.