In silent days, of course, American audiences displayed no prejudice against films from other nations. Metropolis was just as big a hit in America as it was in Europe.
Mad Love (1921) was a rare exception, but then it was actually a ruthlessly censored cutdown of Sappho, an outstanding Pola Negri vehicle directed by Dimitri Buchowetzki, which is now available in a superb, 10/10 tinted version from Grapevine Video.
Brilliantly lensed by one of the world' greatest cinematographers, Arpad Viragh, and costumed, hair styled and made up to the limit, Pola Negri shines in what is really a multiple role. She receives excellent support from Alfred Abel (almost unrecognizable here in his major part as the hero's violent, lunatic brother) and Albert Steinrück as the opportunistic, surreptitious lover. I also liked Helga Molander as the hero's fiancée.
The movie has been produced with all stops out - lots of extras milling around, startling costumes and sets. (Special note: Do not buy the re-edited copy of this movie which often doesn't make sense. Buy the Grapevine DVD, which is a straightforward transfer of the German original with brand-new English inter-titles. As far as I am aware, this version is still available in 2018).
Mad Love (1921) was a rare exception, but then it was actually a ruthlessly censored cutdown of Sappho, an outstanding Pola Negri vehicle directed by Dimitri Buchowetzki, which is now available in a superb, 10/10 tinted version from Grapevine Video.
Brilliantly lensed by one of the world' greatest cinematographers, Arpad Viragh, and costumed, hair styled and made up to the limit, Pola Negri shines in what is really a multiple role. She receives excellent support from Alfred Abel (almost unrecognizable here in his major part as the hero's violent, lunatic brother) and Albert Steinrück as the opportunistic, surreptitious lover. I also liked Helga Molander as the hero's fiancée.
The movie has been produced with all stops out - lots of extras milling around, startling costumes and sets. (Special note: Do not buy the re-edited copy of this movie which often doesn't make sense. Buy the Grapevine DVD, which is a straightforward transfer of the German original with brand-new English inter-titles. As far as I am aware, this version is still available in 2018).