In 1910 the earthy sensuality of Asta Nielsen created a sensation in 'The Abyss'. It would seem a natural progression for her to play the ultimate femme fatale Lulu but thirteen years were to elapse before she did so in this adaptation by Carl Mayer of the first part of Franz Wedekind's play. It was to be another six years before G. W. Pabst cleverly merged both parts into 'Pandora's Box' with the luminous Louise Brooks as Lulu. Pabst had directed the Great Dane in 'Joyless Street' and could not have been unaware of her performance in 'Earth Spirit'. That both actresses sport a pageboy bob hairdo cannot be coincidental. There the similarities end.
At twenty three Miss Brooks is in the full bloom of her beauty and stunningly feminine whereas Miss Nielsen is knocking on forty and despite her favoured cameraman Axel Graatkjaer she looks distinctly mannish in close up, especially when wearing an ill-advised Pierrot costume. In longshot her still nubile physique belies her years and being a great actress she plays 'coquettish' very well but she remains alas too long in the tooth for the role. As for her 'androgynous' look I have little doubt that for some viewers this will exert a perverse fascination. One film historian has suggested that Wedekind put a great deal of himself into the character of Lulu. The mind boggles.
Leopold Jessner's film is Expressionist through and through from the incredible sets by the ill-fated Robert Nappach to the mannered performances. There are some fine moments to be sure but not enough to place it in the first rank. It is also to be regretted that the makers have chosen to omit the lesbian Countess Geschwitz which would have given the film an added dimension.
One either regards Lulu as predator or victim and whereas Miss Brooks is decidedly the latter Miss Nielsen definitely qualifies as the former.
