365 Days: #29 Broken Lullaby (1932)

I am watching a very different Lubitsch film today. There's nothing lighthearted or comedic about this tale of war.

#29 Broken Lullaby

French soldier, Paul Renard, is overcome with guilt after killing a young German soldier, Walter Holderlin, during the First World War. He travels to Germany to visit the man's family, but can't bring himself to confess to murdering their son, allowing them to welcome him into their arms as someone who knew their son, which brings them some measure of comfort. When Walter's fiancée discovers that Paul was responsible for Walter's murder, she insists that he make a sacrifice.

"Who sent that young man out to kill Germans? Huh? And who sent my boy, and your boy, and your boy, and your two boys? Who gave them bullets and gas and bayonets? We, the fathers, here and on the other side. We're too old to fight but we're not too old to hate. We're responsible! When thousands of other men's sons were killed we called it victory and celebrated with beer. And when thousands of our sons were killed they called it victory and celebrated with wine. Fathers drink to the death of sons!" 

War. What's it good for? Absolutely nothing. This is a tender movie with some beautiful, quiet shots that speak louder than words. 

"9 million people got slaughtered and they're already talking about another war. And the next time there'll be 90 million! And the world calls that sane. Well then, I want to be insane!"

"We must learn not to weep and love what we have left." 

365 Days: #28 Three Women (1924)

I just added this film to my Lubitsch collection, which was recently released by Kino with a 4K restoration. 

#28 Three Women

Mrs. Mable Wilton is feeling her age, which may be why she distances herself from her 18 year old daughter, Jeanne, who thirsts for her love and attention, as her maturity is a reminder of her own advancing years. When Jeanne shows up on her mom's doorstep unannounced, she ends up stealing her mom's boyfriend, who ends up marrying her, thereby jilting her former boyfriend, Fred. When Mable discovers that Edmund has gone for a third helping on the side at her daughter's expense, she tries to buy Jeanne's freedom. When he refuses, she is forced to take matters into her own hands.

"The essential thing is that you are happy." 

I enjoy Lubitch's comedy. It is very understated in this film, since the topic of a mother and daughter being scammed by an unscrupulous man is not particularly funny. It is hard not to cheer for the mom's desperate act to save her daughter. 

The Grapefruit Diet.

Rich people's playground.

It does look like fun.

Fashionable society.

Showing off his pretend wealth.

Admirers

Appraising the jewels.

Making an investment.

Unscrupulous suitor.

Excessive powdering.

Realization of stolen chastity.

Side action.

How to tell her that her husband is two timing her.

Breaking free.

Getting free.

"I do not regret the act I committed. My only remorse is at having been a negligent and frivolous mother. For that, I deserve punishment."

Recognizing the sacrifice.

An expected outcome.

Restoring order

365 Days: #3 Trouble in Paradise (1932)

After watching Edward Everett Horton yesterday, I was inspired to revisit the movie that gave me a greater affection for him. This is another gateway movie I saw early in my days of movie collecting that had me seeking out more Ernst Lubitsch movies, as well as films with Herbert Marshall, Miriam Hopkins and Kay Francis.

#3 Trouble in Paradise

A thief posing as a Baron meets and falls in love with a pickpocket posing as a Countess. They engage in a scheme to steal from Mme. Colet, the owner of a perfume company. Trouble arises when Gaston Monescu and Mme. Colet fall in love with one another.

"Darling, remember you are Gaston Monescu. You are a crook. I want you as a crook. I love you as a crook. I worship you as a crook. Steal, swindle, rob! Oh, but don't become one of those useless, good-for-nothing gigolos!"

This has all of the innuendo, romance, and crime that goes unpunished that makes it a fine pre-code film. The jokes are subtle, the costumes are exquisite, and the music is divine. It's a movie I can watch repeatedly. 

"You know, I'm not the marrying type.
I like to take my fun and leave it."