How Did Lubitsch Do It?

Joseph McBride analyzes Ernst Lubitsch’s films in rich detail in the first in-depth critical study to consider the full scope of his work in both his native and adopted lands. McBride explains the “Lubitsch Touch,” shows how the director challenged American attitudes toward romance and sex, and offers revealing insights into his working methods. Ernst Lubitsch's Sophisticated, Elegant, And Stylish Films Of The 1930s And 1940s Are Often Credited With Creating The Genre Of The Classic Hollywood Romantic Comedy. Famed For The Lubitsch Touch And His Distinct Comedic Style Particularly When It Came To Romance And Sex And American Hypocrisy Around Them. Lubitsch's Films Influenced And Won The Admiration Of His Fellow Directors, Including Welles, Hitchcock, And Most Notably Billy Wilder. And, While He Is Now Best Known As The Director Of Such Films As Ninotchka, The Shop Around The Corner, And To Be Or Not To Be, Much Of His Work And His Name Is Less Well Known. In This Book, Joseph Mcbride, The Author Of Best-selling Biographies Of Steven Spielberg And Frank Capra, Reconsiders Lubitsch's Place In Film History And Reminds Us Of The Genius Of And The Many Pleasures Of His Film. In How Did Lubitsch Do It? (the Title Is A Play On A Sign That Was In Billy Wilder's Office) Mcbride Examines All Of Lubitsch's Films Beginning With His Work In Germany Where He Became Known As The D.w. Griffith Of Europe For His Historical Epics As Well As Being Celebrated For His Comedies. Mcbride Then Considers Lubitsch's Work In Hollywood And How His Films Reflected His Amused Indulgence Of Human Behavior And A Celebration Of Un-american Virtues Such As The Joys Of Adultery And Serial Philandering While Depicting Marriage In A More Realistic Way. Mcbride's Discussions Of Lubitsch's Films Answer The Question Asked In The Book's Title To Explain The Lubitsch Touch And The Endlessly Inventive And Fresh Ways The Director Found Of Telling Stories, As Well As His Distinctive Style, His Handling Of Character, And His Ability To Strike The Right Tone In His Films-- Introduction: How Did Lubitsch Do It? -- Herr Ernst Lubitsch -- Who Is Ernst Lubitsch? -- The Berlin Style In Hollywood -- Tin Cans In A Warehouse? -- Give Me A Moment, Please -- In Times Like These ... -- Master Of The Ineffable -- The Aging Master -- The Door Closes -- Epilogue: The Importance Of Being Ernst. Joseph Mcbride. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "Ernst Lubitsch's sophisticated, elegant, and stylish films of the 1930s and 1940s are often credited with creating the genre of the classic Hollywood romantic comedy. Famed for the "Lubitsch touch" and his distinct comedic style particularly when it came to romance and sex and American hypocrisy around them. Lubitsch's films influenced and won the admiration of his fellow directors, including Welles, Hitchcock, and most notably Billy Wilder. And, while he is now best known as the director of such films as Ninotchka, The Shop Around the Corner, and To Be or Not To Be, much of his work and his name is less well known. In this book, Joseph McBride, the author of best-selling biographies of Steven Spielberg and Frank Capra, reconsiders Lubitsch's place in film history and reminds us of the genius of and the many pleasures of his film. In How Did Lubitsch Do It? (the title is a play on a sign that was in Billy Wilder's office) McBride examines all of Lubitsch's films beginning with his work in Germany where he became known as "The D.W. Griffith of Europe" for his historical epics as well as being celebrated for his comedies. McBride then considers Lubitsch's work in Hollywood and how his films reflected his amused indulgence of human behavior and a celebration of un-American virtues such as the joys of adultery and serial philandering while depicting marriage in a more realistic way. McBride's discussions of Lubitsch's films answer the question asked in the book's title to explain "The Lubitsch Touch" and the endlessly inventive and fresh ways the director found of telling stories, as well as his distinctive style, his handling of character, and his ability to strike the right tone in his films"-- Provided by publisher Orson Welles called Ernst Lubitsch (1892–1947) "a giant" whose "talent and originality are stupefying." Jean Renoir said, "He invented the modern Hollywood." Celebrated for his distinct style and credited with inventing the classic genre of the Hollywood romantic comedy and helping to create the musical, Lubitsch won the admiration of his fellow directors, including Alfred Hitchcock and Billy Wilder, whose office featured a sign on the wall asking, " How would Lubitsch do it? " Despite the high esteem in which Lubitsch is held, as well as his unique status as a leading filmmaker in both Germany and the United States, today he seldom receives the critical attention accorded other major directors of his era. How Did Lubitsch Do It? restores Lubitsch to his former stature in the world of cinema. Joseph McBride analyzes Lubitsch's films in rich detail in the first in-depth critical study to consider the full scope of his work and its evolution in both his native and adopted lands. McBride explains the "Lubitsch Touch" and shows how the director challenged American attitudes toward romance and sex. Expressed obliquely, through sly innuendo, Lubitsch's risqué, sophisticated, continental humor engaged the viewer's intelligence while circumventing the strictures of censorship in such masterworks as The Marriage Circle, Trouble in Paradise, Design for Living, Ninotchka, The Shop Around the Corner , and To Be or Not to Be . McBride's analysis of these films brings to life Lubitsch's wit and inventiveness and offers revealing insights into his working methods. Orson Welles called Ernst Lubitsch (1892–1947) "a giant. . . . Lubitsch's talent and originality are stupefying." Jean Renoir said, "He invented the modern Hollywood." Celebrated for his distinct style and credited with inventing the classic genre of the Hollywood romantic comedy and helping to create the musical, Lubitsch won the admiration of his fellow directors, including Alfred Hitchcock and Billy Wilder, whose office featured a sign on the wall asking, "How would Lubitsch do it?" Yet despite the high esteem in which Lubitsch is held, as well as his unique status as a leading filmmaker in both Germany and the United States, today he seldom receives the critical attention accorded other major directors of his era. How Did Lubitsch Do It? restores Lubitsch to his former place in the world of cinema. Joseph McBride analyzes Lubitsch's films in rich detail in the first in-depth critical study to consider the full scope of his work and its evolution in both his...