The Blue Angel
The Blue Angel
| 04 September 1959 (USA)
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Remake of Josef von Sternberg's 1930 classic.

Reviews
Tedfoldol

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

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TaryBiggBall

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

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Kien Navarro

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

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Stephanie

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

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JohnHowardReid

Copyright 1959 by 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. New York opening at the Paramount: 4 September 1959. U.S. release: September 1959. U.K. release: October 1959. London opening at the Carlton, Haymarket. Australian release: 29 October 1959. 9,677 feet. 107 minutes.SYNOPSIS: Immanuel Rath (Curt Jurgens) is a martinet botany professor at a German high school who finds postcards bearing the revealing likeness of Lola-Lola, "The Blue Angel" (May Britt), in the possession of his pupils. That evening, he goes to the café where she is appearing to see if any of his pupils are there, and spots two of them. In the course of chasing them, he meets Lola and the manager of the troupe, Kiepert (Theodore Bikel). He returns the next evening and becomes involved with Lola, the first woman he has ever known.NOTES: This film is a remake of the 1930 German film that brought international fame to its director, Josef von Sternberg, and its two stars, Emil Jannings and Marlene Dietrich... In the original "Blue Angel", the degraded schoolmaster went insane and died sitting at his desk in the classroom where he had once taught.This new "Blue Angel" was Jack Cummings' first production for 20th Century-Fox after working many years for M-G-M, where he started as an office boy and worked his way up to produce such well-received movies as "Kiss Me Kate", "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", "The Last Time I Saw Paris" and "Teahouse of the August Moon".VIEWERS' GUIDE: Adults.COMMENT: As you might expect, this remake cannot handle a candle to the von Sternberg version in any department — script, direction, cinematography, sets or acting. In fact, this labored, lethargic, intolerably slow-moving re-make manages the seemingly impossible task of being deadly dull, despite the alluring presence of May Britt, a charmer to rival Dietrich if ever there was one! To go through the problems, one by one: Script: Changing the ending of the story and updating it was a big mistake. Direction: Flat, lifeless and pedestrian. Cinematography is too colorful and postcard-like. It tends to eschew the creation of mood and atmosphere in favor of an almost M-G-M musical approach. Sets and costumes are attractive, but not in keeping with the story. Aside from May Britt, who makes a valiant attempt not to imitate Dietrich (which would have been a mistake) but to flesh out Lola-Lola with her own seductively appealing personality, the acting is a disaster. Jurgens' portrayal is not only almost entirely superficial but downright boring and dull, whilst Theodore Bikel succeeds in being repulsive without any saving graces of charisma. In all, as said above, this re-make would be a total write-off were it not for May Britt, a charmer to rival Dietrich if ever there was one!

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amb0613

Curt Jurgens is magnificent! I don't even remember watching Mai Britt as LOLA-LOLA as I was so enthralled with Jurgens' performance. He was absolutely marvelous! Catch Curt in the movie he stars with Ingrid Bergman, as a Chinese warlord. And also in "Mephisto's Waltz" with Alan Alda. Curt is an all consuming and ultimo actor.And the fact Curt Jurgens was in a Nazi prison camp for one year at the end of WWII and survived is amazing. What a story he has lived. What he could have told of his life. There is also a website where Curt tells of his near-death heart attack in which he was experiencing the "out and in" of death, whilst demons were grabbing at him to take him away from the living. Fantastic!BOYD

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bearandgrinnit

I have seen the movie exactly one time, shortly after it came out. At the time, I had never seen the original version, nor did I know anything about the story. The Blue Angel was the 2nd movie of a double feature, and I almost didn't stay for it! The story is an old German folk tale, but it is so reflective of what can and does happen in life. A big regret, for me, is that the May Britt version has, as far as I can determine, never been put on video tape or disc. When I, finally, got to see the old, original movie, I thought it was very poorly done -- corny humor in places where I didn't feel it was appropriate. I'm surprised at the fame the original created and the lack thereof for the remake. - bearandgrinnit

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rudy-46

There are not many remakes that can hold a candle to the original but this one is an exception. A well made production with fine performances from Jurgens and May Britt, who shines as showgirl Lola Lola. Ms. Britt did a wonderful job recreating the old Dietrich role and in my opinion was much better.

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