Taking a look at the Masters of Cinema Ernst Lubitsch box set,I discovered that a new score had been done for Die Puppe which was exclusively done for the collection,which led to me taking the doll out of the box.
View on the film:
Before I get to the movie,I have to mention the excellent transfer that Masters of Cinema have done for the title,with the new score by Bernard Wrigley really capturing the warped fairy tale atmosphere of the flick.
Crossing the sex Comedy & Fantasy genres over in their loose adaptation of A. E. Willner's operetta,the screenplay by co- writer/(along with E. T. A. Hoffmann & Hanns Kräly) cameo actor/ directing auteur Ernst Lubitsch strikes a superb balance between surprisingly kinky shades with charming flights of Fantasy,as Lancelot's attempts to pass the "doll" off as his wife,leads to Lancelot finding out that a woman can't be treated like a wind-up toy,whilst the title dips into the off- beat,as Lancelot tries to find the right button combo to make the doll do his bidding.
Setting the mood with the opening of a pop-up picture book, Ernst Lubitsch and cinematographers Theodor Sparkuhl & Kurt Waschneck give the movie a delightful warped children's fairy tale book appearance,with monks,dance moves and growing/receding hair popping out of the screen.
Along with the surreal splashes,Lubitsch also displays an expert eye in using different tints,with the rusty tint used for scenes with Lancelot and the "doll" giving the flick a metallic shine,whilst the monastery is covered in a worn-out green.
Searching desperately for a solution to getting hold of Chanterelle's cash, Hermann Thimig gives a wonderful performance as Lancelot,with Thimig keeping Lancelot away from being a slime-ball,by showing a real sense of innocent surprise at Chanterelle's sudden demands.
Given the challenge of impersonating a doll, Ossi Oswalda gives an extraordinary performance as Ossi,thanks to Oswalda revealing expert comic timing in Ossi's sudden "robotic" movements,whilst making sure that the eyes of Ossi remain lit up & soulful,as Lancelot soon discovers that this "doll" is a women not to be put back in the play box.
View on the film:
Before I get to the movie,I have to mention the excellent transfer that Masters of Cinema have done for the title,with the new score by Bernard Wrigley really capturing the warped fairy tale atmosphere of the flick.
Crossing the sex Comedy & Fantasy genres over in their loose adaptation of A. E. Willner's operetta,the screenplay by co- writer/(along with E. T. A. Hoffmann & Hanns Kräly) cameo actor/ directing auteur Ernst Lubitsch strikes a superb balance between surprisingly kinky shades with charming flights of Fantasy,as Lancelot's attempts to pass the "doll" off as his wife,leads to Lancelot finding out that a woman can't be treated like a wind-up toy,whilst the title dips into the off- beat,as Lancelot tries to find the right button combo to make the doll do his bidding.
Setting the mood with the opening of a pop-up picture book, Ernst Lubitsch and cinematographers Theodor Sparkuhl & Kurt Waschneck give the movie a delightful warped children's fairy tale book appearance,with monks,dance moves and growing/receding hair popping out of the screen.
Along with the surreal splashes,Lubitsch also displays an expert eye in using different tints,with the rusty tint used for scenes with Lancelot and the "doll" giving the flick a metallic shine,whilst the monastery is covered in a worn-out green.
Searching desperately for a solution to getting hold of Chanterelle's cash, Hermann Thimig gives a wonderful performance as Lancelot,with Thimig keeping Lancelot away from being a slime-ball,by showing a real sense of innocent surprise at Chanterelle's sudden demands.
Given the challenge of impersonating a doll, Ossi Oswalda gives an extraordinary performance as Ossi,thanks to Oswalda revealing expert comic timing in Ossi's sudden "robotic" movements,whilst making sure that the eyes of Ossi remain lit up & soulful,as Lancelot soon discovers that this "doll" is a women not to be put back in the play box.