Ernst Lubitsch

Biography

Ernst Lubitsch (January 29, 1892 – November 30, 1947) was a German film director, producer, writer, and actor. His urbane comedies of manners gave him the reputation of being Hollywood's most elegant and sophisticated director; as his prestige grew, his films were promoted as having "the Lubitsch touch". Lubitsch is best known for screwball comedies and romantic comedies, such as Trouble in Paradise (1932), Ninotchka (1939), The Shop Around the Corner (1940) and To Be or Not to Be (1942). While being escapist, his films often offer social commentary on human relationships and society in a satirical way. Andrew Sarris in his influential book of film criticism The American Cinema: Directors and Directions 1929–1968 included him in the "pantheon" of the 14 greatest film directors who had worked in the United States.

Known For

Ninotchka

as Himself - Director in Trailer (uncredited)

Hitler: A Career

as Self (archive footage)

The Eternal Jew

as Self (archive footage)

Sumurun

as Yeggar - the Hunchback Beggar

From Caligari to Hitler

as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)

Where Is My Treasure?

as Ernst

Pinkus's Shoe Palace

as Sally Pinkus

Meyer from Berlin

as Sally Meyer

The Pride of the Firm

as Siegmund Lachmann

The Miracle

as Spielmann