by Scott Eyman
First published 2015
Scott Eyman presents the first comprehensive biography of Ernst Lubitsch, the German filmmaker who transformed American cinema. Born in Berlin, Lubitsch arrived in Hollywood during the 1920s with Mary Pickford's assistance and immediately distinguished himself from his contemporaries. Eyman examines both the director's professional achievements and his personal struggles with insecurity despite his remarkable success. The author traces how Lubitsch developed his famous "touch," a distinctive blend of sophistication, wit, and romantic fantasy that captivated audiences. His films featured elegant men and beautiful women in stories that balanced humor with genuine emotion. Lubitsch revitalized Marlene Dietrich's career and directed Greta Garbo in her most commercially successful film, Ninotchka. Drawing on interviews with industry witnesses and exclusive access to Paramount Pictures archives, Eyman reveals how this unique filmmaker created a cinematic world unlike anything American audiences had previously experienced. The biography captures both the man and the golden era of Hollywood he helped define.
Genres: biography, history, 20th-century, film
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: rags-to-riches, underdog
Setting: Berlin, Hollywood
Period: 1920s
660 pages · Kindle Edition · Simon & Schuster