Meyer from Berlin

Plot

Sally Meyer, a young Berliner, schemes with his doctor to fake an illness, convincing his wife he needs a health retreat in the Austrian Alps. His true motive is to escape domestic life and pursue romantic adventures abroad. Meyer dons what he believes is authentic Tyrolean attire and travels to the mountains, only to discover he's mistakenly arrived in the Bavarian Alps instead of Austria. At his hotel, he becomes completely infatuated with Kitty, a beautiful young woman, and begins pursuing her despite competition from numerous other suitors. To impress Kitty, Meyer reluctantly agrees to climb Mount Watzmann, but during their ascent, both Meyer's wife and Kitty's fiancé unexpectedly arrive from Berlin, exposing his deception and creating chaos.

Historical Background

'Meyer from Berlin' was produced in 1919, a pivotal year in German and world history. The film emerged during the immediate aftermath of World War I, when Germany was experiencing political revolution, economic collapse, and social upheaval. The Weimar Republic had just been established, replacing the fallen German Empire. This period saw an explosion of artistic creativity in Germany, particularly in cinema, as filmmakers sought to process the trauma of war and the uncertainty of the future through their art. The film's themes of escape, deception, and the pursuit of pleasure reflected the German public's desire for distraction from their harsh reality. The comedy genre flourished during this time as a form of catharsis for a population that had suffered immensely. This film also represents an important transitional moment in cinema, as German filmmakers were developing new techniques that would influence global cinema for decades.

Making Of

The production of 'Meyer from Berlin' took place during one of Germany's most turbulent periods, immediately following World War I and during the short-lived Weimar Republic's formation. Ernst Lubitsch, already established as one of Germany's leading directors, chose to star in what would be his final acting role. The mountain sequences presented significant technical challenges, as the heavy camera equipment of 1919 had to be transported up the slopes. The cast and crew spent weeks in the Bavarian Alps, enduring harsh weather conditions. The film's comedy was carefully crafted to appeal to a German audience seeking escapism from their difficult post-war reality. Lubitsch's attention to detail was legendary - he personally supervised every aspect of production, from the intentionally ridiculous costumes to the timing of comedic moments. The film's success helped establish Lubitsch's international reputation and paved the way for his move to Hollywood in 1922.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Theodor Sparkuhl and Alfred Hansen was notable for its time, particularly in the mountain sequences which required innovative approaches to location shooting. The filmmakers used the dramatic Alpine landscape to create visual contrasts between the urban world of Berlin and the natural beauty of the mountains. The camera work employed relatively deep focus for the era, allowing for complex visual compositions that enhanced the comedy. The urban scenes featured the typical German studio style of the period with elaborate sets and careful lighting, while the location shots demonstrated a more naturalistic approach. The cinematography successfully balanced the needs of comedy with the spectacular beauty of the Bavarian Alps, creating a visual style that was both entertaining and artistically ambitious.

Innovations

For its time, 'Meyer from Berlin' demonstrated several technical innovations, particularly in its combination of studio and location filming. The mountain sequences represented a significant achievement in outdoor cinematography, requiring the transport of heavy camera equipment to remote locations at high altitudes. The film's editing was more sophisticated than many contemporary comedies, using cross-cutting between parallel actions to build comic tension. The production design, particularly the hotel set, showed the high level of craftsmanship in German studios at the time. The film also demonstrated early mastery of continuity editing and visual storytelling techniques that would become standard in cinema. These technical achievements, while not revolutionary, showed the growing sophistication of German film production in the immediate post-war period.

Music

As a silent film, 'Meyer from Berlin' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original theatrical run. The typical German cinema of 1919 would have employed either a small orchestra or a pianist/organist to provide musical accompaniment. While the original score has not survived, contemporary accounts suggest that the music would have been lively and comedic, incorporating popular German melodies of the era along with classical pieces adapted for the scenes. The mountain sequences likely featured more dramatic, sweeping music to match the spectacular scenery, while the comedy scenes would have been accompanied by lighter, more whimsical selections. Modern screenings of the film typically feature newly composed scores that attempt to recreate the spirit of the original accompaniment.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening scene where Meyer convinces his doctor to help him fake an illness, Meyer's ridiculous appearance in his 'Tyrolean' costume which he believes is authentic, the hotel scene where multiple suitors compete for Kitty's attention while Meyer tries to stand out, the mountain climbing sequence where Meyer struggles with the physical exertion while trying to appear confident, and the climactic scene where both Meyer's wife and Kitty's fiancé arrive simultaneously, exposing all deceptions

What Critics Said

Contemporary German critics praised 'Meyer from Berlin' for its sophisticated humor and Lubitsch's performance. Reviews in publications like 'Film-Kurier' and 'Lichtbild-Bühne' highlighted the film's clever premise and the director's growing mastery of cinematic comedy. Critics noted how Lubitsch was moving beyond the broad slapstick common in German cinema toward a more refined, visual style of humor. Modern film historians view the work as an essential precursor to Lubitsch's American masterpieces, with scholars like Kristin Thompson and David Bordwell citing it as evidence of Lubitsch's early development of his distinctive comic sensibility. The film is particularly noted for how it uses location and miscommunication to generate comedy, techniques that would become hallmarks of sophisticated film comedy worldwide.

What Audiences Thought

German audiences in 1919 embraced 'Meyer from Berlin' as welcome entertainment during difficult times. The film's light-hearted tone and relatable themes of domestic escape provided much-needed relief from the hardships of post-war life. Contemporary reports indicate that the film performed well in Berlin theaters and other major German cities, with audiences particularly responding to Lubitsch's comedic performance and the spectacular mountain scenery. The film's success helped solidify Lubitsch's status as one of Germany's most popular directors. Audience appreciation for the film's visual gags and situational comedy demonstrated growing sophistication among German moviegoers, who were increasingly able to appreciate more nuanced forms of humor beyond simple slapstick.

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