Just saw The Doll (1920) a couple of nights ago - a delightfully imaginative silent film from the great Ernst Lubitsch. In light of how many folks seemed to respond favorably to Lars and the Real Girl, you might be interested in taking a look at another story about a man and his doll. Basic premise is about a Baron's nephew who doesn't want to get married, but has to in oder to receive his inheritance. So, he decides to pass a doll off as his wife. Thing is though, the doll breaks, and then the doll maker's daughter decides to pass herself off as the doll. Quite a delightful romp, with some interesting discussion points about the whole male/female dynamic. Great farce.

Anyway, it got me to thinking about how much I enjoy Lubitsch's work, and that "Lubitsch Touch". Any other fans? Whenever my wife and I need a little pick me up, we put on Ninotchka. Always seems to work.

http://www.lubitsch.com/

As a passionate Billy Wilder fan, I must admire Lubitsch. It's required, but a pleasure. I love Ninotchka myself. However, have you seen Ball of Fire? Barbara Stanwick is a [wink]showgirl[/wink] on the lam from the Mob. She holes up with a collection of bachelor professors (the usual Lubitsch suspects plus Gary Cooper). Coop is the most socialized of the bunch and a linguist who becomes curious about Stanwick's patois. The others, well Coop too, but less so, leer hilariously. Big Bang on CBS comes to mind, but Ball is better. Billy Wilder script.

OOOPS. I forgot. Details please on how you got hold of The Doll? I have to see that.

Ball of Fire? No, I haven't seen it. But, Howard Hawks + Billy Wilder + Gary Cooper + Barbara Stanwyck = one quick add at Netflix. Can't wait! Being a ravenous Preston Sturges fan, I have adored Stanwyck since The Lady Eve.

As for The Doll, I've been watching some lesser known silents that I hadn't seen, and Jonathan Rosenbaum lists it as part of his film canon. So I did a search at the old Netflix, and sure enough, its available on DVD, now. Plus, the disc comes with a great doc. on Lubitsch's years in Germany. Enjoy.

This topic has been moved to the better-suited "Film Awards, Festivals, and Lists" forum...

Great thread thank u!!! for the inspiration too see The Lubitsch touch ... Lars was a wonderful viewing experience and ur recommendations Wiederspahn sounds really appealing. So answering my fondness for films of the quirkyoffbeat loner...that warms up a hard hearted world.

Mr Kennedy and Wiederspahn... I too have to intrude second the love for Balls of Fire... partly due to growing up on tv's the Big Valley and coming home from grade school to "Heath, Nick Jared theres a fire in the barn" ... Jimminies i sound like cable guy... oh billlly

But of Balls of Fire great film!!! and one of my favorite scenes of all time .. the scene of him in the nightclub getting into the number Ms Stanwyck is singing.. was the phrase "dig um." ? i dont recall exactly the wording of it but the scene is etched so... man the Cooper rocked his mannerisms in that film are stunning...and Ms Stanwyck aunka chaunka...she is lovely in this film... that and the endearing team of professors ... netflicks here i come...

Ahem and ahem...

Now here's a classic example of my speaking from an apparantly declining memory (which was once razor sharp) without consulting references. I appreciate your tact with the Hawks/Lubitsch question.

Ditto. Sturges is a fave. I love the cheesey card trick scene at the beginning. You don't see much of Fonda as clueless, but he's perfect as a sucker who thinks he's a modest something there.

Thanks, I'm going to hunt this down.

Roger that ahem, Darryl. My oversight. You were clearly ahead of the ball. But, as long as we got it rolling now, let's play, huh? And you were right, you did discover a forgotten genius. At least forgotten by the mass populace.



Absolutely! That's why they resort to feeble attempts at re-makes.

I have closed this duplicate topic.