Alraune 1952 N/R, 90 min. Genre: Foreign / Horror aka: Unnatural Mandrake
Director: Arthur Maria Rabenalt Cast: Hildegarde Neff, Erich von Stroheim, Karlheinz Bohm, Harry Meyen, Julia Koschka, Denise Vernac, Rolf Henniger, Harry Halm, Hans Cossy, Gardy Brombacher
Mad scientist Jacob (Erich von Stroheim) inseminates a prostitute with sperm from a ruthless murderer. The product of this unholy union, Alraune (Hildegard Neff), grows up to be a beautiful, but unstable, woman who attracts men and sends them to death through murder or suicide. When she finally meets the man of her dreams, the madly jealous Jacob will have none of that.
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Armored Attack 1943 N/R, 82 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Lewis Milestone Cast: Anne Baxter, Farley Granger, Jane Withers, Dana Andrews, Walter Brennan, Dean Jagger, Ann Harding, Carl Benton Reid, Walter Huston, Erich von Stroheim
During the Cold War, this film was edited to de-emphasize the role of brave Russians holding back advancing Nazi forces during World War II. A comparison between this version and the original, titled "The North Star," provides an interesting look at the use of propaganda in the industry.
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As You Desire Me 1932 N/R, 70 min. Genre: Drama
Director: George Fitzmaurice Cast: Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas, Erich von Stroheim, Owen Moore, Hedda Hopper, Rafaela Ottiano, Albert Conti, Roland Varno, Warburton Gamble, William Ricciardi, Edmund Breese
Amnesiac Zara (Greta Garbo) is reunited with her husband (Melvyn Douglas) after her 10-year disappearance caused by violence during the Australian invasion. Despite her amnesia, she falls in love with him again.
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Blind Husbands 1919 N/R, 68 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Erich von Stroheim Cast: Sam De Grasse, Francelia Billington, Erich von Stroheim, Gibson Gowland, Fay Holderness, Ruby Kendrick, Valerie Germonprez, Jack Perrin, Richard Cummings, William DeVaull
An Austrian lieutenant (Erich von Stroheim) and an American couple meet at a resort in the Alps. The lieutenant sets his sights on the American wife, and a flirtation begins. But, when the husband finds out about the lieutenant's behavior, there is a price to pay. Erich von Stroheim's first directorial effort.
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Crimson Romance 1934 N/R, 70 min. Genre: Action / Drama
Director: David Howard Cast: Ben Lyon, Sari Maritza, Erich von Stroheim, Hardie Albright, James Bush, William Bakewell, Herman Bing, Bodil Rosing, Vince Barnett, Arthur Clayton, Oscar Apfel, Purnell Pratt, Jason Robards Sr., Wilhelm von Brincken
American friends Bob Wilson (Ben Lyon) and Fred von Bergen (James Bush) join the German air force prior to the U.S. entry in World War I. When America enters the war, Bob remains loyal to America and fights for his country, but Fred continues to fight for Germany and is killed in action. Bob consoles Fred's love Alida (Sari Maritza), and his actions lead to their marriage. Meanwhile, Fred's mother (Bodil Rosing) delivers an anti-war eulogy.
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Five Graves to Cairo 1943 N/R, 96 min. Genre: Adventure
Director: Billy Wilder Cast: Franchot Tone, Anne Baxter, Akim Tamiroff, Erich von Stroheim, Peter van Eyck, Fortunio Bonanova, Miles Mander, Konstantin Shayne, Fred Nurney, Ian Keith
Remade from 1939's "Hotel Imperial," this story is updated to World War II, and it is the Germans–not Russians–who are the object of conspiracy as a hotel guest (Franchot Tone) tries to obtain military secrets from Field Marshal Rommel (Erich von Stroheim).
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Foolish Wives 1922 N/R, 107 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Erich von Stroheim Cast: Erich von Stroheim, Miss DuPont, Maude George, Mae Busch, Rudolph Christians, Dale Fuller, Al Edmundsen, Cesare Gravina, Malvina Polo, Louis K. Webb
A con man (Erich von Stroheim) makes a good living by extorting money from rich women. In his latest scheme, he poses as a Russian count and rents a Monte Carlo villa with his two associates (Maude George and Mae Busch). When a wealthy American diplomat (Rudolph Christians) arrives in Monaco, the blackmail con begins via the diplomat's naive wife (Miss DuPont).
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The Grand Illusion 1937 N/R, 111 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Jean Renoir Cast: Jean Gabin, Pierre Fresnay, Erich von Stroheim, Dita Parlo, Marcel Dalio, Julien Carette, Gaston Modot, Jean Daste, Jacques Becker, Georges Peclet, Werner Florian, Sylvain Itkine, Albert Brouett, Claude Sainval, Michel Salina
Written while Hitler was beginning to make his move in Europe, this film examines the mindset of men involved in World War I and shows how the aristocratic backgrounds of French prisoner de Boldieu (Pierre Fresnay) and the German commandant of the prison camp, von Rauffenstein (Eric von Stroheim), contribute to them forming a bond that will have deadly consequences when they allow two French soldiers (Jean Gabin and Marcel Dalio) to escape. The negatives of the film survived, and the restored movie was released in 1999, complete with a new translation.
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The Great Flamarion 1945 N/R, 78 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Anthony Mann Cast: Erich von Stroheim, Mary Beth Hughes, Dan Duryea, Steve Barclay, Lester Allen, Esther Howard, Michael Mark, Joseph Granby, John Hamilton, Carmen(2) Lopez
Circus performing marksman The Great Flamarion (Erich von Stroheim) falls for his assistant, Connie (Mary Beth Hughes). But, there is a problem: Connie is married to Al (Dan Duryea). The solution is to "accidentally" kill Al, and the deed is done. But, will Connie stick with the circus marksman, or will she move on to another man?
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The Great Gabbo 1929 N/R, 80 min. Genre: Drama
Director: James Cruze Cast: Erich von Stroheim, Betty Compson, Donald Douglas, Marjorie Kane, Harry Ross
Ventriloquist "The Great Gabbo" (Erich von Stroheim), slowly going mad, finds that his dummy is his only avenue for expression. He even drives his assistant (Betty Compson) away through verbal abuse, though she loves Gabbo. Now Gabbo is driven even further toward the edge of total destruction. Stroheim's first talkie.
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I Was an Adventuress 1940 N/R, 81 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Gregory Ratoff Cast: Vera Zorina, Richard Greene, Erich von Stroheim, Peter Lorre, Sig Ruman, Fritz Feld, Cora Witherspoon, Anthony Kemble-Cooper, Paul Porcasi, Roger Imhof
Tanya (Vera Zorina) is a member of a team of con-artists/jewel thieves. She decides to go straight after she meets the love of her life (Richard Greene), though he thinks she is a countess. The other two team members (Erich von Stroheim and Peter Lorre) don't like that and decide to interfere. Stroheim and Lorre are a great pair.
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Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages 1916 N/R, 163 min. Genre: Drama / Romance aka: Intolerance
Director: D.W. Griffith Cast: Lillian Gish, Mae Marsh, Howard Gaye, Elmo Lincoln, Walter Long, Bessie Love, Tully Marshall, Erich von Stroheim, Monte Blue, Donald Crisp, Robert Harron, F.A. Turner, Sam De Grasse, Vera Lewis, Eleanor Washington
This great film presents four stories, each in a different era from ancient Babylon to the present. All of the stories involve man's intolerance to man. The stories include a mountain girl in Babylonia and religious rivalry at the time, Pharisees' condemnation of Jesus Christ, the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in Paris and how it coincides with two Huguenots preparing for marriage, and social reformers in modern America destroying the lives of a young couple.
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The Lady and the Monster 1944 N/R, 86 min. Genre: Horror / Thriller aka: The Lady and the Doctor Tiger Man
Director: George Sherman Cast: Erich von Stroheim, Vera Ralston, Richard Arlen, Mary Nash, Sidney Blackmer, Helen Vinson, William Henry, Charles Cane, Janet Martin, Juanita Quigley, Josephine Dillon, Lane Chandler
This is the first of three films based on Curt Siodmak's novel, "Donovan's Brain." The 1953 version, "Donovan's Brain," is truer to the novel than this one or 1962's "The Brain." Mad scientist Franz (Erich von Stroheim) keeps a ruthless financier's brain alive. The brain takes over the mind of lab assistant Patrick (Richard Arlen) in order to take revenge on those who wronged him.
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The Merry Widow 1925 N/R, 110 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Erich von Stroheim Cast: John Gilbert, Mae Murray, Roy D'Arcy, Tully Marshall, Josephine Crowell, Clark Gable, George Fawcett, Edward Connelly, Gertrude Bennett, Albert Conti
This silent-screen version of Franz Lehar's operetta is about two Viennese princes (John Gilbert and Roy D'Arcy) who woo a wealthy American widow, Sally O'Hara (Mae Murray). Good movie, with Erich von Stroheim's flourishes. Look quickly for a young Clark Gable.
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Merry-Go-Round 1922 N/R, 110 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Rupert Julian, Erich von Stroheim Cast: Norman Kerry, Mary Philbin, Albert Conti, Cesare Gravina, Edith Yorke, George Hackathorne, Dale Fuller, Lillian Sylvester, Maude George, Charles King
Director Erich von Stroheim was fired from Universal Studios before the conclusion of this film, but it still reflects his touches even though it was finished by Rupert Julian. Count Franz Maxmillian von Hohenegg (Norman Kerry) is scheduled to be wed to a countess but falls in love with an organ grinder, Agnes (Mary Philbin). He goes through with the wedding anyway, heads off to war, is chastised by a dying Sylvester (Cesare Gravina)–Agnes' father–returns from the war a widower, and determines to make amends to Agnes.
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Napoleon 1955 N/R, 115 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Sacha Guitry Cast: Orson Welles, Maria Schell, Raymond Pellegrin, Jean-Pierre Aumont, Erich von Stroheim, Pierre Brasseur, Daniel Gelin, Danielle Darrieux, Sacha Guitry, Dany Robin, Jean Gabin, Cosetta Greco, Yves Montand, Roger Pigaut, Micheline Presle
Writer/director Sacha Guitry costars as Tallyrand who tells his friends about Napoleon Bonaparte's life. The story covers Napoleon's (Raymond Pellegrin) life from his campaigns in Italy to the Battle of Waterloo and, finally, his imprisonment and death on St. Helena.
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The North Star 1943 N/R, 106 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Lewis Milestone Cast: Anne Baxter, Farley Granger, Jane Withers, Dana Andrews, Walter Brennan, Dean Jagger, Ann Harding, Carl Benton Reid, Walter Huston, Erich von Stroheim
Russian efforts to bravely hold off the invading Nazi army during World War II are graphically portrayed as Russians survive the brutalities. During the Cold War, this film was altered to de-emphasize the good Russians and re-titled, "Armored Attack."
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Queen Kelly 1929 N/R, 101 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Erich von Stroheim Cast: Gloria Swanson, Walter Byron, Seena Owen, Sidney Bracey, Wilhelm von Brincken, Sylvia Ashton, Tully Marshall, Gordon Westcott, Wilson Benge, Florence Gibson
Originally completed in 1929 this film, financed by Gloria Swanson, was not released in the U.S. until it was restored in 1985. A convent inhabitant, Patricia (Swanson), is kidnapped and seduced by the betrothed prince Wolfram (Walter Byron) of mad Queen Regina (Seena Owen), the ruler of a small country in Europe. Wolfram is imprisoned while Patricia eventually inherits a string of brothels from her aunt in East Africa. Patricia marries a lecherous old man, and tragedy eventually follows. A treatise on the degradation of the human race and the last silent film by Erich von Stroheim.
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So Ends Our Night 1941 N/R, 120 min. Genre: Adventure
Director: John Cromwell Cast: Fredric March, Frances Dee, Margaret Sullavan, Glenn Ford, Erich von Stroheim, Anna Sten, Joseph Cawthorn, Leonid Kinskey, Alexander Granach, Sig Ruman
In this World War II story, political refugees traverse Europe trying to stay one step ahead of the Nazis.
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Sunset Blvd. 1950 N/R, 111 min. Genre: Drama / Romance aka: Sunset Boulevard
Director: Billy Wilder Cast: Gloria Swanson, William Holden, Erich von Stroheim, Nancy Olson, Cecil B. DeMille, Jack Webb, Fred Clark, Hedda Hopper, Buster Keaton, Lloyd Gough, Franklyn Farnum, Larry J. Blake, Charles Dayton, Anna Q. Nisson, H.B. Warner
Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) is an aging ex-Hollywood star who longs for a comeback. Aspiring screenwriter Joe Gillis (William Holden) recognizes her weaknesses and moves into her home by flattering her with stories of her future regained stardom. In addition to three Oscars (Best Writing, Art Direction/Set Decoration, and Musical Score), the film received eight nominations, including Best Picture, Actor (Holden), Actress (Swanson), Supporting Actress and Actor (Nancy Olson and Erich von Stroheim), and Director.
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| 1. Alraune (1952) aka: Unnatural aka: Mandrake
2. Armored Attack (1943)
3. As You Desire Me (1932)
4. Blind Husbands (1919)
5. Crimson Romance (1934)
6. Five Graves to Cairo (1943)
7. Foolish Wives (1922)
8. Friends and Lovers (1931)
9. The Grand Illusion (1937)
10. The Great Flamarion (1945)
11. The Great Gabbo (1929)
12. Greed (1925)
13. I Was an Adventuress (1940)
14. Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages (1916) aka: Intolerance
15. The Lady and the Monster (1944) aka: The Lady and the Doctor aka: Tiger Man
16. The Merry Widow (1925)
17. Merry-Go-Round (1922)
18. Napoleon (1955)
19. The North Star (1943)
20. Queen Kelly (1929)
21. So Ends Our Night (1941)
22. Sunset Blvd. (1950) aka: Sunset Boulevard
In The News
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