Biography
Ernst Lubitsch (January 29, 1892 – November 30, 1947) was a German film director, producer, writer, and actor. His urbane comedies of manners gave him the reputation of being Hollywood's most elegant and sophisticated director; as his prestige grew, his films were promoted as having "the Lubitsch touch". Lubitsch is best known for screwball comedies and romantic comedies, such as Trouble in Paradise (1932), Ninotchka (1939), The Shop Around the Corner (1940) and To Be or Not to Be (1942). While being escapist, his films often offer social commentary on human relationships and society in a satirical way. Andrew Sarris in his influential book of film criticism The American Cinema: Directors and Directions 1929–1968 included him in the "pantheon" of the 14 greatest film directors who had worked in the United States.
Awards & recognition
- Academy Honorary Award · 1947
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1944 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1930 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1929 · nominated
Filmography29 titles
The Shop Around the Corner
To Be or Not to Be
Ninotchka
Hitler: A Career
Trouble in Paradise
The Doll
The Last Command
Cluny Brown
The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg
Bluebeard's Eighth Wife
Design for Living
Desire
Heaven Can Wait
Anna Boleyn
The Merry Widow
The Smiling Lieutenant
Lady Windermere's Fan
To Be or Not to Be
Dragonwyck
Angel
The Love Parade
That Uncertain Feeling
If I Had a Million
One Hour with You
Monte Carlo
I Don't Want to Be a Man
The Marriage Circle
That Lady in Ermine
Eternal Love