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The Circus Clippings 77/376

Motion Picture Classic, New York, October 1926.

An Artist in Overalls

      There‘s no dog about Herr Murnau, Germany‘s finest

contribution to our screen personnel. The director

of „The Last Laugh“ and „Faust“ uses mechanic‘s overalls

as his studio smock, and won‘t work with a gallery.

He has just finished „Sunrise“ for Fox and is notable by his

absence at gatherings of Hollywood celebrities.

Twelve hours‘ work a day is his idea of a rattling good time.

There is just a slight possibility that may have

something to do with his reputation as one of the few,

very few, great directors

(...) Photo, Photoplay, May 1927

& But the thing which impressed me most definitely about

him was his simplicity – his friendliness – his utter

lack of pose. His feeling that he is a hard working man, rather

than a genius. Work is important, yes! But Murnau

– he laughs at the idea.

      His light brown eyes beam and shine with appreciation

when you praise „The Last Laugh.“ „Jannings

is a marvelous actor! Do you know Emil?“ he asked.

      „No!“ he cried, disappointed. „You must meet

him – you can talk together of Berlin!“

      „You have some wonderful actors here in Hollywood.

There is Jean Hersholt, Victor MacLaglen, and

the greatest of all, Chaplin! Yes, I know he is a comic – but

he is a very great actor as well!“

      „What is it that makes an actor great on the screen?“

I asked meekly. „Stage training, a perfect camera

face – the gift of pantomime – what?“

      Murnau considered this – a smile playing about

the corners of his mouth.

(...) Madeleine Matzen, Murnau – The Magician Director

of „Sunrise,“ Hollywood Topics, L. A., Feb. 5, 1927

„He is a fountain of cinematic ideas“

Editorial content. „F. W. MURNAU COMES to AMERICA

      The German Genius of the Films Talks of Movies and Men

      By MATTHEW JOSEPHSON“ (...)

      „WHAT did he think of Variety – the hit of the moment,

to the happy surprise of all?“ (...)

      „Caligari?“ (...)

      „Lubitsch? (...)

      „Chaplin? ,The genius of the screen. His comedies

have the most profound appeal. He is always doing something

absolutely fresh and unconscious. There were things

in The Gold Rush that were revelations; he is a fountain of cinematic ideas. A Woman of Paris was extremely interesting; but,

of course, it was in the European tradition.‘“ (...)

Redaktioneller Inhalt

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