Asphalt (1929)

Set in Berlin, a young policeman (Gustav Frohlich) arrests a young woman (Betty Amann) for diamond theft. But before he can get her to a police station, she invites him into her apartment under pretext and seduces him. His guilt at not doing his duty by letting her go is only the beginning of an affair that eventually ends in tragedy. Directed by Joe May (THE INDIAN TOMB), this silent film suggests film noir before the term was invented. May's imposing visual skills are present throughout and the lensing of Gunther Rittau (Lang's METROPOLIS) is also impressive. With her stylish bob, Betty Amann suggests Louise Brooks and makes for a perfect noir-ish femme fatale and like Brooks, she's an American actress. The transfer I saw had a very good score by Karl Ernst Sasse. With Albert Steinruck, Else Heller and Hans Adalbert Schlettow.