The Blue Angel 2
The film made excellent use of new technologies available in film, especially by using sound to enhance characterization. As Richard Gilliam has noted, “The film also launched the song ‘Falling in Love Again’ (‘Ich bin von Kopf bis Fuß auf Liebe eingestellt’) which, like the film itself, has amply stood the test of time.” That particular scene of the film is commonly re-enacted by drag queens and Dietrich’s performance of that song launched her career. Dietrich’s understated performance in Der blaue Engel set her apart from her contemporaries, as overacting characterized many films of her day. That cool performance and distinctive voice would soon become a signature trait of her Hollywood performances as well.
Something about the international character of Der blaue Engel makes it seem appropriate that Dietrich immigrated to the United States after its success to carry on her career with von Sternberg, who had American citizenship. Von Sternberg himself was an international man. He was born in Austria and grew up between Vienna and New York. Dietrich was born in Berlin and had lived in Germany. The film was a landmark for German film in the new medium of sound pictures and marked the beginning of a lasting professional relationship between the director and actress.
See Also
Bohn, Thomas W & Stromgren, Richard L., Light and Shadows. Alfred Publishing Company (1975).
Jack, Gregory D. Hollywood Censored. Cambridge University Press (1994).
Mast, Gerald & Kawin, Bruce F., A Short History of the Movies. Macmillan Publishing Company (1971).
Sarris, Andrew. The Films of Josef von Sternberg, The Museum of Modern Art (1966)
Von Sternberg, Josef. The Blue Angel, Simon and Schuster (1968).
Von Sternberg, Josef, Fun in a Chinese Laundry. The Macmillan Company (1965).
Wakeman, John. World Film Directors Vol. 1. The H.W. Wilson Company (1987).
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