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Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Tartuffe (1926)

 A film within a film. The young grandson (Andre Mattoni) of a prosperous but elderly gentleman (Hermann Picha) has been written out of the old man's will under the influence of his housekeeper (Rosa Valetti), who coerces the old gentleman into leaving her his estate. Disguised as the operator of a traveling cinema, the grandson shows them a film about a wealthy gentleman (Werner Krauss) who is under the influence of a pious hypocrite (Emil Jannings) much to the consternation of the rich man's wife (Lil Dagover). Based on the classic 1664 comedy by Moliere and directed by F.W. Murnau (NOSFERATU). The film is a very stripped down version of the Moliere play and eliminates several important characters. It's certainly not the best representation of Moliere's play so the purists need not bother. For cinema goers, it's another matter. It affords them another opportunity to appreciate the film making skills of Murnau and the acting talent of Emil Jannings. A pleasant and pleasing film. With Lucie Hoflich. 

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