Review of The Blue Angel (1930) by Devon B — 29 Apr 2010

It's funny how some films don't seem to impress you when you first watch it...but somehow, on subsequent viewings - the story finally clicks into place and makes a connection with your consciousness...and then it's as if you are watching it for the very first time. That's my experience with director Joseph von Sternberg's 1930 drama, THE BLUE ANGEL, the early German talkie which propelled actress Marlene Dietrich to stardom.

Dietrich is fabulous here as Lola Lola - one of several showgirls who perform at a seedy nightclub called THE BLUE ANGEL. She just oozes sexuality in this. No, she is not the kind of girl a right-minded gentleman would bring home to meet one's mama. She sings bawdy songs. She wears provocative costumes - which she seems to constantly adjust and doesn't give a hoot who sees her doing it too. I suppose this film was considered very naughty once...which adds to the film's charm and mystique today.

The right-minded gentleman in this would have to be the stuffy high-school literature professor, Immanuel Rath (Emil Jannings). It seems some of his students have been hanging out at The Blue Angel instead of studying their Shakespeare assignments. The only reason Professor Rath brings himself to The Blue Angel is to try to apprehend any of his students he finds there. The students scurry away like rats upon Professor Rath's arrival.

The only thing that Professor Rath catches at The Blue Angel is a glimpse of Lola Lola - which is enough to send his heart a-pitter patter. So begins a relationship which will begin a downward spiral for the poor professor from his once lofty position in life.

I think this is the point where THE BLUE ANGEL loses most of it's viewers (from what I've read). Most question Lola's motive for reciprocating the relationship with the much older and uptight professor. This bothered me too...but the more I think about it - Lola being married to someone like the professor would be prestigious and advantageous for her socially. The story proves otherwise for the poor professor, though - which is the main theme of the film anyway. Despite all intentions, Lola would eventually drag him down to her level - as seen by social conventions - and lead to his eventual disgrace & downfall.

SOME POSSIBLE SPOILERS:

What really brought me around was watching THE BLUE ANGEL from the middle to the end - seeing Professor Rath's downfall...which plays out very much like a horror film, really. He literally goes insane - crowing wildly like a mad rooster. I then re-watched the first half of the film next and noticed all the foreshadowing. Even the scene in the classroom mentioning Act III, Scene I of Shakespeare's HAMLET is part of the film's overall theme.:

To be, or not to be? That is the question-.

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer.

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,.

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,.

And, by opposing, end them? To die, to sleep-.

No more-and by a sleep to say we end.

The heartache and the thousand natural shocks.

That flesh is heir to...

Also...the next time someone complains that this film is dated -.

I don't want to hear any criticism from you if ever a politician is caught hanky-panky-ing with a prostitute, 'kay?

I say, basic human nature really hasn't changed all that much since the 1930's...have they?