Morocco (1930)
Country: US
Technical: bw 97m
Director: Josef Von Sternberg
Cast: Marlene Dietrich, Gary Cooper, Adolphe Menjou
Synopsis:
A legionary falls in love with a nightclub singer.
Review:
Never mind the story, it's atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere. That special Dietrich magic, consisting mainly of a certain lost look, is effectively mobilised here; the impression of idleness and heat is palpable; and the outrageous and totally appropriate closing shot combines a held image with sensitive use of ambient sound (the dying drums and the remaining howling wind); no closing music. In short, bring on The Garden of Allah. (The film figures on gay checklists for the scene in which Dietrich performs a number in tails and ends with a same-sex kiss on a female patron.)
Country: US
Technical: bw 97m
Director: Josef Von Sternberg
Cast: Marlene Dietrich, Gary Cooper, Adolphe Menjou
Synopsis:
A legionary falls in love with a nightclub singer.
Review:
Never mind the story, it's atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere. That special Dietrich magic, consisting mainly of a certain lost look, is effectively mobilised here; the impression of idleness and heat is palpable; and the outrageous and totally appropriate closing shot combines a held image with sensitive use of ambient sound (the dying drums and the remaining howling wind); no closing music. In short, bring on The Garden of Allah. (The film figures on gay checklists for the scene in which Dietrich performs a number in tails and ends with a same-sex kiss on a female patron.)
Country: US
Technical: bw 97m
Director: Josef Von Sternberg
Cast: Marlene Dietrich, Gary Cooper, Adolphe Menjou
Synopsis:
A legionary falls in love with a nightclub singer.
Review:
Never mind the story, it's atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere. That special Dietrich magic, consisting mainly of a certain lost look, is effectively mobilised here; the impression of idleness and heat is palpable; and the outrageous and totally appropriate closing shot combines a held image with sensitive use of ambient sound (the dying drums and the remaining howling wind); no closing music. In short, bring on The Garden of Allah. (The film figures on gay checklists for the scene in which Dietrich performs a number in tails and ends with a same-sex kiss on a female patron.)