Metro Cinema Society: The Films of Josef von Sternberg

The Films of Josef von Sternberg

Presented in association with Film Studies 410: Stroheim, Murnau, Sternberg, and sponsored by the Wirth Institute for Austrian and Central European Studies.

Morocco

Director: Josef von Sternberg

USA 1930, 97 min, 35mm

Mar 14 (2010) @ 7pm

"Von Sternberg's poetic, atmospheric mise en scène is the perfect vehicle for the birth of the Dietrich legend. In this sumptuously designed film, The Blue Angel's provocative cabaret tart evolves into a world-weary chanteuse running from her past in North... view more

Shanghai Express

Director: Josef von Sternberg

USA 1932, 82 min, 35mm

Mar 21 (2010) @ 7pm

“It took more than one man to change my name to Shanghai Lily,” purrs Marlene Dietrich to old flame Captain Harvey (Clive Brook) in this exquisitely lurid melodrama, set on a train en route from Peking to Shanghai. The reunited... view more

The Scarlet Empress

Director: Josef von Sternberg

USA 1934, 109 min, 35mm

Mar 28 (2010) @ 7pm

Filmmaker-svengali Josef von Sternberg escalates his obsession with screen legend Marlene Dietrich in this lavish depiction of sex and deceit in the 18th-century Russian court. A self-proclaimed “relentless excursion into style,” the pair’s sixth collaboration follows the exploits of Princess... view more

The Devil is a Woman

Director: Josef von Sternberg

USA 1935, 82 min, 35mm

Apr 11 (2010) @ 7pm

Adapted from the same Pierre Loüys novel that spawned Luis Buñuel's That Obscure Object of Desire, The Devil Is a Woman is set in a studio version of Spain, intricately conceived with typical Sternbergian flair, and situates coquettish Dietrich in... view more