Ernst Lubitsch

About Ernst Lubitsch

Ernst Lubitsch was a pioneering German-American filmmaker whose career spanned from the silent era through the Golden Age of Hollywood. Born in Berlin in 1892, he began his career as an actor in German comedies before transitioning to directing in 1914. His early German films, including historical epics like 'Madame DuBarry' (1919), brought him international acclaim and led to his move to Hollywood in 1922. Lubitsch became renowned for his sophisticated comedies and developed what critics called 'the Lubitsch Touch' - a distinctive style characterized by wit, elegance, and subtle innuendo. He successfully navigated the transition from silent films to talkies, directing classics such as 'The Love Parade' (1929), 'Trouble in Paradise' (1932), 'Ninotchka' (1939), and 'To Be or Not to Be' (1942). Despite facing health issues in his later years, he continued working until his death in 1947, leaving behind a legacy that influenced generations of filmmakers. His final film, 'That Lady in Ermine' (1948), was completed by Otto Preminger after Lubitsch's death.

The Craft

On Screen

In his early German films, Lubitsch was known for his comedic performances often playing Jewish characters in broad ethnic comedies. His acting style was physical and exaggerated, typical of silent film comedy, but he already showed the wit and timing that would characterize his later directing work. He appeared in over 30 films as an actor before focusing exclusively on directing.

Behind the Camera

Lubitsch's directing style, famously known as 'the Lubitsch Touch,' was characterized by sophistication, elegance, and subtlety. He was a master of suggestion rather than explicitness, using visual gags, clever dialogue, and implied sexuality to create sophisticated comedies that were both witty and risqué without being vulgar. His technique included famous 'doorway scenes' where conversations were implied rather than shown, and he excelled at using props and settings to reveal character and advance plot. His films featured impeccable timing, refined performances, and a cosmopolitan sensibility that elevated romantic comedy to an art form.

Milestones

Transitioned from successful German actor to acclaimed director in the 1910s
Directed the international hit 'Madame DuBarry' (1919) starring Pola Negri
Moved to Hollywood in 1922 and became head of production at Warner Bros.
Pioneered sophisticated romantic comedy with 'The Marriage Circle' (1924)
Successfully adapted to sound films with 'The Love Parade' (1929)
Created the masterpiece 'Trouble in Paradise' (1932), considered one of the greatest comedies ever made
Directed Greta Garbo in her first comedy 'Ninotchka' (1939)
Received an Academy Honorary Award in 1947 for his distinguished contributions to film

Best Known For

Iconic Roles

Must-See Films

Accolades

Won

Academy Honorary Award (1947)
New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director (1939) for 'Ninotchka'

Nominated

Academy Award for Best Director (1930) for 'The Love Parade'
Academy Award for Best Director (1931) for 'The Smiling Lieutenant'
Academy Award for Best Director (1943) for 'To Be or Not to Be'
Academy Award for Best Director (1944) for 'Heaven Can Wait'
Academy Award for Best Picture (1930) for 'The Love Parade'
Academy Award for Best Picture (1943) for 'To Be or Not to Be'
Academy Award for Best Picture (1944) for 'Heaven Can Wait'
Venice Film Festival Mussolini Cup (1934) for 'The Merry Widow'

Special Recognition

Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame (located at 7040 Hollywood Blvd)
AFI's 100 Greatest American Films: 'Trouble in Paradise' ranked #68 in the comedy list
Preserved films in National Film Registry: 'Trouble in Paradise' (1991), 'The Shop Around the Corner' (1999), 'To Be or Not to Be' (1996)
The Ernst Lubitsch Collection DVD box set by Criterion Collection

Working Relationships

Worked Often With

Studios

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

Ernst Lubitsch revolutionized the romantic comedy genre, transforming it from simple entertainment into sophisticated social commentary. His 'Lubitsch Touch' became a benchmark for wit and elegance in filmmaking, influencing how Hollywood approached adult themes with subtlety and intelligence. During the restrictive Production Code era, Lubitsch found ingenious ways to suggest sexuality and critique social conventions through implication rather than explicit content. His films provided an escape for audiences during the Great Depression and World War II, offering a vision of sophisticated romance and witty repartee that contrasted with the harsh realities of the time. Lubitsch also helped establish Hollywood as the center of international cinema, being one of the first successful European directors to make the transition to American filmmaking.

Lasting Legacy

Ernst Lubitsch's legacy endures through the enduring popularity of his films and the continued influence of his distinctive style on contemporary filmmakers. The term 'Lubitsch Touch' has entered the film vocabulary as shorthand for sophisticated, witty filmmaking that relies on suggestion rather than explicitness. Directors from Woody Allen to Wes Anderson have cited Lubitsch as a major influence, particularly in their approach to comedy and visual storytelling. Many of Lubitsch's films have been remade, including 'The Shop Around the Corner' (as 'You've Got Mail') and 'Heaven Can Wait' (as 'Down to Earth'), demonstrating the timelessness of his themes and characters. Film scholars continue to study his techniques for using visual elements to convey complex emotional and social ideas, and his work remains a masterclass in the art of cinematic suggestion.

Who They Inspired

Lubitsch's influence extends far beyond his own films, shaping the development of romantic comedy and sophisticated adult entertainment in cinema. Billy Wilder, perhaps his most famous protégé, frequently acknowledged Lubitsch as his primary influence, adopting his mentor's wit and cynicism in films like 'Some Like It Hot' and 'The Apartment.' The screwball comedies of the 1930s and 1940s owed much to Lubitsch's pioneering work in blending romance with social satire. His techniques for suggesting sexuality and adult themes while working within censorship constraints influenced generations of filmmakers facing similar restrictions. Contemporary directors like Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig continue the Lubitsch tradition of intelligent, dialogue-driven comedies that explore relationships with sophistication and nuance.

Off Screen

Ernst Lubitsch was married twice in his life. His first marriage was to actress Helene Kraus in 1916, which ended in divorce in 1921. In 1935, he married Vivian Gaye, a British actress, and they remained together until his death. The couple had one daughter, Nicola Lubitsch, born in 1938. Lubitsch was known for his wit and charm both on and off set, becoming a beloved figure in Hollywood circles. He maintained friendships with many European émigré filmmakers who fled Nazi Germany, including Billy Wilder, whom he mentored. Despite his sophisticated on-screen persona, those who knew him described him as warm, generous, and deeply committed to his craft.

Education

Attended school in Berlin and worked briefly as a bookkeeper's apprentice before entering show business. He received no formal film education, learning his craft through practical experience in the theater and early German film industry.

Family

Helene Kraus (1916-1921)
Vivian Gaye (1935-1947)

Did You Know?

The term 'Lubitsch Touch' was coined by critics to describe his distinctive style of sophisticated wit and visual elegance
He was one of the first European directors to successfully transition to Hollywood, paving the way for other émigré filmmakers
His film 'To Be or Not to Be' (1942) was highly controversial for its satirical treatment of Nazis and was initially boycotted by some theater owners
Lubitsch never won a competitive Academy Award but received an honorary Oscar shortly before his death
He was known for his meticulous planning, storyboarding every scene in detail before filming began
His final film 'That Lady in Not to Be' was completed by Otto Preminger after Lubitsch's death from a heart attack
Despite his reputation for sophisticated comedies, Lubitsch began his career directing historical epics in Germany
He was one of the highest-paid directors in Hollywood during the 1930s
The famous 'Lubitsch Touch' often involved using doors, windows, and other architectural elements to create visual metaphors
His daughter Nicola appeared as a child actress in some of his later films

In Their Own Words

I have been accused of being a 'flirt' with my camera. I'm not ashamed of it at all. I think it's charming.

There are two kinds of directors: the ones who think they know everything, and the ones who know they don't know anything. I belong to the second group.

The Lubitsch Touch? I don't know what it is. I wish I did, so I could patent it.

I've been to Paris, France, and I've been to Paris, Paramount. Paris, Paramount is better.

If you want to make a picture that will appeal to the public, make it about something they all understand - love.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Ernst Lubitsch?

Ernst Lubitsch was a German-American film director and actor who became one of Hollywood's most celebrated filmmakers during the Golden Age. He was renowned for his sophisticated comedies and developed a distinctive style known as 'the Lubitsch Touch,' characterized by wit, elegance, and subtle innuendo.

What films is Ernst Lubitsch best known for?

Lubitsch is best known for his sophisticated comedies including 'Trouble in Paradise' (1932), 'Ninotchka' (1939) starring Greta Garbo, 'The Shop Around the Corner' (1940) with James Stewart, 'To Be or Not to Be' (1942), and 'Heaven Can Wait' (1943). His earlier German films like 'Madame DuBarry' (1919) were also highly influential.

When was Ernst Lubitsch born and when did he die?

Ernst Lubitsch was born on January 28, 1892, in Berlin, Germany, and died on November 30, 1947, in Hollywood, California, at the age of 55 from a heart attack. He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

What awards did Ernst Lubitsch win?

Lubitsch received an Academy Honorary Award in 1947 for his distinguished contributions to the art of motion pictures. He was nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Director and multiple Best Picture nominations, though he never won a competitive Oscar. He also won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director for 'Ninotchka' in 1939.

What was Ernst Lubitsch's directing style?

Lubitsch's directing style, known as 'the Lubitsch Touch,' emphasized sophistication, wit, and suggestion over explicitness. He excelled at using visual metaphors, clever dialogue, and implied sexuality to create elegant comedies that were both entertaining and subtly subversive, especially during the restrictive Production Code era.

How did Ernst Lubitsch influence other filmmakers?

Lubitsch profoundly influenced generations of filmmakers, particularly in the romantic comedy genre. Billy Wilder considered him his greatest influence, and his techniques for sophisticated wit and visual storytelling inspired directors from Preston Sturges to Woody Allen and contemporary filmmakers like Wes Anderson. His approach to suggesting adult themes within censorship constraints became a model for intelligent filmmaking.

What was the 'Lubitsch Touch'?

The 'Lubitsch Touch' referred to Lubitsch's distinctive filmmaking style characterized by sophisticated wit, elegant visual storytelling, and clever use of suggestion rather than explicitness. It involved techniques like using doors and windows as visual metaphors, implying intimate conversations rather than showing them directly, and conveying complex ideas through subtle gestures and props rather than dialogue.

Did Ernst Lubitsch act in films?

Yes, Lubitsch began his career as an actor in German films from 1912 to approximately 1920, appearing in over 30 films. He often played comedic roles, sometimes in broad ethnic characterizations typical of the period. After achieving success as a director, he focused exclusively on filmmaking behind the camera, though he made brief cameo appearances in some of his later films.