A silent-era love pentagon where jealousy writes checks that murder cashes.
Bruce Wilton, middle-aged, rich and famous, as a producer, has been rejected by Ada von Ruyt, a revue star. Finding an affection is developing between her and Longard, now down and out, he arranges to send the man to South America with a touring company. But again rejected by the woman he loves, he causes her to be supplanted by a rival, and in a passion dismisses his secretary, her old friend. The man, who has suffered much, shoots him. Longard, thinking Ada has fired the shot, attempts to take the blame, but the murderer commits suicide.
Acting
Werner Krauss brings theatrical intensity to the scorned producer.
Production
Lavish revue-stage recreations capture Weimar-era spectacle.
Director
Felix Basch
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Felix Basch fled Nazi Germany in 1933 and rebuilt his career in Hollywood, directing B-pictures and acting in Casablanca.
This exemplifies the 'Zweite Gesellschaft' genre—Weimar films obsessed with the decadent intersections of theater, wealth, and romantic catastrophe.
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