The Song of Life (1931)

9.0/10 • 65 min • Drama

Overview

This Brechtian musical about a young woman who flees from her decrepit, noble fiancé and marries a sailor is an interesting, although not a completely successful attempt to translate the sort of stage show to film. It has some good points, including the complete abandonment of the sort of surrealistic stage design that had enlivened the silent cinema. Instead, this tries for a purely cinematic technique, including multiple exposures, undercranking and distorting camera angles and lenses.

Cast

Elsa Wagner

Erikas Mutter

Leo Monosson

Sänger

Harald Paulsen

Sänger

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