The New York herald., 1922-01-01

Lubitsch, German
Film, Play Creator,
Tells His Career
Director of Passion Reveals
Some Of His Troubles at
Dinner Here.

The outstanding feature OF the din
nor at the Hotel Ambassador last week
70 Ernst Lubitsch. creator of Passion
Deception" "Ono Arabian Night and
other notable German films, was that
they made DR.. Hugo Riesenfe,d work
for his dinner. The genial managing
director of the Riaito, Rivou and Cri-
terion had come apparently as one Of
the honored guests. having been one Of
the first exhibitors Of Lubitsch film
" this country. but they turned him
into q Iahoring man. They diverted DR..
Riesenfeld from his secret vica Of strong
coffee and made him translate.
That was when Lubitsch. who speaks
no English, arose to express himself In
his native tongue from a. full heart and
an equally full digestion. Lubitsch has
the brunette coloring OF a Bavarian and
somewhat suggests Max u. Steuer. New
York attorney, though fuller OF face.
To any German who had been through
the rigors OF the war and its aftermath
the Ambassador cuisine must taste like
picnic on Olympus. But quite. will
ingiy the actor-director laid asiue knife
and fork and stood up with easy poisa.
Lupitsch spoke In q tull, clear voice
that showed the trained speaker, without
gestures and without straining for ell
feet, but with an assured fluence that
was an unueual contrast TO the painful
fumbling for words so characteristic OF
the home grown actor whenever they
let him make an grafton. He never
moved his plate nor his glassware once
during his talk.
Decodes German Verbs.
Then DR.. Riesenfeld, apparently some-
what abashed at his new role, was called
upon to decode the German verbs for
the gathering.
He said the guest had expressed his
keen appreciation Of the welcome he had
received in America, and promised that
when Pny American players came to
Germany he would do his best to make
their stay agreeable-though he men
toned nothing about providing good
home cooking. Like every artist, he
said. he had long looked forward to COM
ing to this country, and was impressed
with the state Of motion pictures here.
He intended to look the field over thor
oughly, and then return without produc-
Ing here, though the inference was that
many Of the American methods OF pro-
duction would be soaked away In his
head.
So much for the usual friendly greet
ing-Dr. Riesenfeld's system was re-
lieved for the moment Of his burden.
Ben Blumenthal, president Of the Hamil-
ton Theatrical Corporation, who put
Lubitsch under contract mad who gave
the dinner to him. had introduced the d.
rector as 20 years old, though he looked
FIVE years older-after tho fashion OF q
foreigner who had been through much
In the movies. Blumcnthal said that
Lubitsch had been an actor In the troupe
of Prof. Max Reinhardt Of Berlin, and
that his early movie experience had been
In the making Of one reel comedies, In
which he had achieved success as ar
eccentric actor.
/ He had gone from these into two and
! three reel comedies and done Potash
and Perlmutter" parts. still nursing the
ambition Of his life, which was to play
handsome young lovers with the over
whelning powor of a Wallace Reid
Finally he had accomplished his aim In
a picture---wi,ich was shown. he sus.
peected, IN very few Berlin theaters.
Won Success I'm "Csrmen."
Then Paul Davidson. the German film
promoter. had urged him to direct and
act In serious drama Lubitsch re.
jected the books which Davidson sub.
m.tted, not caring for the material. but
finally had his fancy captured by the
suggestion of doing Carmen" and
probably felt even more inspired as hi
worked Il out with Pola Negri.
The success of this led to Passion
zone Arabian Night" and Deception
though every one tried 70 convince hin
he was crazy for trying historical sub
jects. Exhibitors declared the public
didn't like costume pictures-whlcf
suggests O strange affinity between Ger
nan and American showmcn.
In reply to question as to whether
he would continue with historical photo
plays. Lubitsch replied that the momen
he believes tho time is ripe for q NOR
modern type OF picture he will do II
regardless OF .he popularity of the his
toricai. which he has done 90 much K
create himself.
In connection with "Pharaoh'e Wife.
his latest production. he said, via DR.
Riesenfeld. that the cost Of production
was going UP, particularly with regart
TO the extras, who seem to be pickin;
up American tricks Of the trade evei
sooner than the German directors. Al
extra, he said, gets from 75 to 10'
marks a day IN Germany. and is callet
O. "statist," which artly describes tli'
activity OF many OF them.
When 1000 Of them are gathered fol
a picture, Dubitscn Gays. their first &C
Is 10 strike unanimously for higher nay
20 that producer must not only be
director In the father'and but alst
something Of demagogue and Patr'cl
Henry TO sway them. At noon durinl
the rest period after the mornings wor'
the extras all seiye the iateet editions
Of the paper and look rp the ouotation
for marks IN American dollars IN or
der to determine the price they shall
cnarre for their afternoon work.
The director declared that one OF tn
funniest sights ne had ever seen wa
the snectacie Of swarre OF Eryntial
soid,ers IN acpropriate COSTUME for hi
n,c.,,re volubIy or~uing for more pay
There were two armies. end after th'
nav oe one body was raised the o'he
army demanded an increase, declaring
I'VE deserve more pay. Just as much Of
our cnennfes."
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