The Blue Angel (Der blaue Engel), released in 1930, is a German film directed by Josef von Sternberg and starring Marlene Dietrich and Emil Jannings. It tells the tragic story of Professor Immanuel Rath, a respected but rigid schoolteacher who becomes infatuated with the alluring cabaret singer Lola Lola, played by Dietrich.
As he descends into obsession, he loses his dignity, career, and ultimately his sense of self, leading to a heartbreaking downfall. The film is widely regarded as a masterpiece of early sound cinema and launched Dietrich’s international career, particularly with her iconic performance of Falling in Love Again. Its themes of desire, power, and self-destruction remain compelling, making it a landmark in film history.
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Here is the main cast of The Blue Angel (Der blaue Engel, 1930):
Emil Jannings as Professor Immanuel Rath
Marlene Dietrich as Lola Lola
Kurt Gerron as Kiepert, the magician
Rosa Valetti as Guste, the magician’s wife
Hans Albers as Mazeppa, the strongman
Reinhold Bernt as The Clown
Eduard von Winterstein as The School Principal
Hans Roth as The Caretaker
Rolf Müller as Lohmann, the student
This film marked Dietrich’s breakthrough role and remains a landmark in cinematic history.
Here are five little-known facts about The Blue Angel (Der blaue Engel, 1930):
Marlene Dietrich Wasn’t the First Choice – The role of Lola Lola was originally offered to German actress Brigitte Helm (best known for Metropolis), but she declined. Marlene Dietrich auditioned and won the role, which launched her international career.
Filmed in Two Languages Simultaneously – The movie was shot in both German and English, with the actors performing each scene twice. However, the English version suffered from weaker performances and awkward dialogue, making the German version the definitive one.
Dietrich’s Iconic Falling in Love Again Was Almost Cut – The now-famous song Falling in Love Again (Ich bin von Kopf bis Fuß auf Liebe eingestellt) wasn’t initially planned as a major feature of the film, but it became one of the most memorable aspects of Dietrich’s performance.
Emil Jannings Was the Bigger Star at the Time – While Dietrich became the film’s lasting icon, Emil Jannings was the real star when production began. He had already won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Actor in 1929, but his career declined as sound films took over.
It Was One of the First Major German Sound Films – The Blue Angel was among Germany’s earliest full-length sound films, marking a significant transition from silent cinema. The use of sound played a crucial role in enhancing the film’s dramatic and atmospheric impact.