COM 320 History of the Moving ImagePre-WWII Points: The WWI Experience as a PrecedentSlide 3Pre-WWII Points:Pre-WWII Points: Leni Riefenstahl & Triumph of the WillSlide 6Pre-WWII Points: Charlie Chaplin & The Great DictatorPre-WWII Points: Ernst Lubitsch & To Be or Not To BeSlide 9Pre-WWII Points:Slide 11COM 320 COM 320 History of the Moving ImageHistory of the Moving ImageSome Pre-WWII PointsSome Pre-WWII PointsPre-WWII Points: Pre-WWII Points: The WWI Experience as a PrecedentThe WWI Experience as a Precedente.g., D. W. Griffith--e.g., D. W. Griffith--IntoleranceIntolerance (1916) as (1916) as pre-war “propaganda pre-war “propaganda for peace”; for peace”; Hearts of Hearts of the Worldthe World (1918) as (1918) as propaganda for U.S. propaganda for U.S. to enter warto enter warPre-WWII Points: Pre-WWII Points: The WWI Experience as a PrecedentThe WWI Experience as a Precedente.g., e.g., The Big ParadeThe Big Parade (1925, D: King Vidor) and (1925, D: King Vidor) and All Quiet on the Western Front All Quiet on the Western Front (1930, D: Lewis (1930, D: Lewis Milestone) as post-war realismMilestone) as post-war realismPre-WWII Points:Pre-WWII Points:Throughout the 1930s, two Throughout the 1930s, two major things colored major things colored Americans’ outlook: Americans’ outlook: (1) The Great Depression(1) The Great Depression(2) The War in Europe(2) The War in Europe1933: Adolph Hitler named chancellor; Nazi party rules 1933: Adolph Hitler named chancellor; Nazi party rules GermanyGermany1935: Leni Riefenstahl completes 1935: Leni Riefenstahl completes Triumph of the Will Triumph of the Will for Hitler, for Hitler, a film documenting the 1934 Nazi Party rally in Nuremberga film documenting the 1934 Nazi Party rally in Nuremberg1937: Leni Riefenstahl complete 1937: Leni Riefenstahl complete Olympia Olympia for Hitler, a film for Hitler, a film documenting the 1936 Berlin Olympicsdocumenting the 1936 Berlin OlympicsPre-WWII Points:Pre-WWII Points:Leni Riefenstahl & Leni Riefenstahl & Triumph of the WillTriumph of the WillLeni Riefenstahl (1902-2003)Leni Riefenstahl (1902-2003)Actress, dancer, director. . . Notably in “mountain Actress, dancer, director. . . Notably in “mountain films” (e.g., films” (e.g., The Blue LightThe Blue Light))Hitler’s designated filmmaker beginning 1933Hitler’s designated filmmaker beginning 1933Also directed Also directed OlympiaOlympia (1937), covering the 1936 (1937), covering the 1936 Berlin OlympicsBerlin OlympicsTriumph of the WillTriumph of the Will (1935) (1935)Lyrical propaganda!Lyrical propaganda!Coverage of the 1934 Nuremberg Nazi rally, where Coverage of the 1934 Nuremberg Nazi rally, where 30,000 Germans gathered for four days30,000 Germans gathered for four daysCrew of 172 people, including 36 cameramen and Crew of 172 people, including 36 cameramen and assistants (operating in 16 teams with 30 cameras) assistants (operating in 16 teams with 30 cameras) Groundbreaking use of camera Groundbreaking use of camera angles/locations/movement, as well as stellar editing, angles/locations/movement, as well as stellar editing, use of both diegetic and non-diegetic musicuse of both diegetic and non-diegetic musicPre-WWII Points:Pre-WWII Points:Before Pearl Harbor, WWII was “not our problem”--Before Pearl Harbor, WWII was “not our problem”--indeed, most Americans opposed the U.S. entry into indeed, most Americans opposed the U.S. entry into the warthe ware.g., e.g., Caught in the DraftCaught in the Draft (1941)--Bob Hope as a comic (1941)--Bob Hope as a comic draft-dodgerdraft-dodgere.g., Chaplin’s e.g., Chaplin’s The Great DictatorThe Great Dictator (1940) was viewed as (1940) was viewed as tasteless, overstatedtasteless, overstatede.g., e.g., To Be or Not to BeTo Be or Not to Be (1942) was criticized for portraying (1942) was criticized for portraying Nazis so negatively--as buffoons (composer Miklos Rozsa Nazis so negatively--as buffoons (composer Miklos Rozsa backed out because of this)backed out because of this)Pre-WWII Points:Pre-WWII Points:Charlie Chaplin & Charlie Chaplin & The Great DictatorThe Great DictatorCharlie Chaplin (1889-1977)Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977)Great silent film comic (as you know)—his “Little Tramp” character was the Great silent film comic (as you know)—his “Little Tramp” character was the most recognizable persona in the worldmost recognizable persona in the worldEmigrated from Britain in 1912 Emigrated from Britain in 1912 Slow to move to sound (his Slow to move to sound (his Modern Times Modern Times (1936) was still silent); (1936) was still silent); The The Great DictatorGreat Dictator, his first sound film, proved his mastery, his first sound film, proved his masteryThe Great Dictator The Great Dictator (1940)(1940)Satire of Nazi Germany; Chaplin criticized for his targeting of HitlerSatire of Nazi Germany; Chaplin criticized for his targeting of HitlerBeautiful use of pseudo-German language in Hynkel’s speechBeautiful use of pseudo-German language in Hynkel’s speechAfter the scope of Nazi atrocities became known, it was decades before After the scope of Nazi atrocities became known, it was decades before Nazis were satirized again (Nazis were satirized again (Hogan’s HeroesHogan’s Heroes, , The ProducersThe Producers and “Springtime and “Springtime for Hitler”) for Hitler”)Pre-WWII Points:Pre-WWII Points: Ernst Lubitsch & Ernst Lubitsch & To Be or Not To BeTo Be or Not To BeErnst Lubitsch (1892-1947)Ernst Lubitsch (1892-1947)A German Jew, he first made films in Weimar GermanyA German Jew, he first made films in Weimar GermanyEmigrated to Hollywood in 1922Emigrated to Hollywood in 1922Warner Bros. Warner Bros.  Paramount in 1935 (head of production) Paramount in 1935 (head of production)  MGM 1939 MGM 1939  20 20thth Century Fox 1943 Century Fox 1943Known for the “Lubitsch Touch”Known for the “Lubitsch Touch”an unparalleled comic sophistication with guaranteed an unparalleled comic sophistication with guaranteed audience response!audience response!Films with “The Touch” include:Films with “The Touch” include:Design for LivingDesign for Living (1933) (1933)Ninotchka Ninotchka (1939)(1939)The Shop Around the CornerThe Shop Around the Corner (1940) (1940)To Be or Not To Be