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The Lubitsch touch: A critical study
From his early successes in silent film such as The Oyster Princess and Madame Dubarry to his mature masterpieces (Nonotchka, Trouble in Paradise), the films of Ernest Lubitsch have had a lasting impact upon the cinema of Europe and America. His domain was the sophisticated comedy, and his medium the famed "Lubitsch Touch"- that deft combination of sensitivity , wit and innovative thought which crystallized characters and events into a single moment of insight
- GenresFilm
366 pages, Hardcover
First published January 23, 1978
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 16, 2013
A comprehensive and definitive study of the movies of Ernst Lubitsch, really the only resource a fan would need. The author offers detailed analysis of Lubitsch's complete works, along with profiles of his key collaborators. This is not a biography, though: anyone looking to learn about his life should look elsewhere.
Much of the book revolves around the definition of the "Lubitsch Touch", and how Lubitsch's style developed over the years. As a matter of technique, the Lubitsch Touch meant going from the general to the particular, suddenly condensing into one swift, deft moment the crystallization of a scene or even the entire theme. A perfect example occurs when Maurice Chevalier in The Smiling Lieutenant tries to amuse the prim princess by playing checkers, and, being bored by it as she is, suddenly throws the checkerboard on the bed--to continue "playing" there. The Lubitsch Touch was a kind of innuendo, wherein the most risque scenes were handled with such aplomb that the censors were kept perpetually at bay.
The tough thing about reading the book, though, is that almost all of Lubitsch's movies are nearly impossible to find. Ninotchka, Shop Around the Corner, and To Be or Not to Be turn up fairly frequently on Turner Classics, but other films are harder to find. Criterion has a wonderful collection of four of his musicals, and there are a few collections of his silent films. Turner Classic Movies showcased Lubitsch's films in December of 2012, and one can only hope that they will do so soon again.
Much of the book revolves around the definition of the "Lubitsch Touch", and how Lubitsch's style developed over the years. As a matter of technique, the Lubitsch Touch meant going from the general to the particular, suddenly condensing into one swift, deft moment the crystallization of a scene or even the entire theme. A perfect example occurs when Maurice Chevalier in The Smiling Lieutenant tries to amuse the prim princess by playing checkers, and, being bored by it as she is, suddenly throws the checkerboard on the bed--to continue "playing" there. The Lubitsch Touch was a kind of innuendo, wherein the most risque scenes were handled with such aplomb that the censors were kept perpetually at bay.
The tough thing about reading the book, though, is that almost all of Lubitsch's movies are nearly impossible to find. Ninotchka, Shop Around the Corner, and To Be or Not to Be turn up fairly frequently on Turner Classics, but other films are harder to find. Criterion has a wonderful collection of four of his musicals, and there are a few collections of his silent films. Turner Classic Movies showcased Lubitsch's films in December of 2012, and one can only hope that they will do so soon again.
December 15, 2024
"How do ve make it good! How do ve make it different and good!"
How indeed, Lub-Lub...
So affectionately written it would make me smile every other page. It does seem that Weinberg loses a bit of steam post Trouble In Paradise and the more modern reappraisal of 2RN2B and SATC and D4L is nowhere in here. However, as portraits of directors go, No Notes!
How indeed, Lub-Lub...
So affectionately written it would make me smile every other page. It does seem that Weinberg loses a bit of steam post Trouble In Paradise and the more modern reappraisal of 2RN2B and SATC and D4L is nowhere in here. However, as portraits of directors go, No Notes!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews