The Kaiser, the Beast of Berlin
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| The Kaiser, the Beast of Berlin | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Rupert Julian |
| Produced by | Rupert Julian |
| Written by | Rupert Julian Elliott J. Clawson |
| Starring | Lon Chaney Sr. Rupert Julian Elmo Lincoln Nigel De Brulier Harry von Meter |
| Cinematography | Edward A. Kull |
| Distributed by | Renowned Pictures Corporation Jewel Productions, Inc. |
| Release date(s) | March 9, 1918 |
| Running time | 70 min |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | Silent film English intertitles |
The Kaiser, the Beast of Berlin, is a 1918 silent movie propagandistic view of the First World War, showing the political greed of the German Kaiser Wilhelm, the resistance of some of his own soldiers, and fanciful prediction of the nature of the war's end.
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
Kaiser Wilhelm II of Hohenzollern is a vain and arrogant tyrant eager for conquest. When Belgium is invaded by the German army during World War I, Marcas, the blacksmith, although wounded, is able to save his daughter from the clutches of a German soldier. Soon after this, the RMS Lusitania is sunk by Capt. von Neigle, who ultimately is driven mad with remorse. After the United States declares war, the Allied generals turn the Kaiser over to the King of Belgium. Incarcerated, the Kaiser faces his jailer, Marcas the blacksmith.
[edit] Background
Although frequently listed as a Universal production, this movie was an independent production produced by Rupert Julian for Renowned Pictures. Julian licensed the distribution rights to Renowned, who in turn sold the rights to Universal Jewel for world-wide distribution. Julian was such a convincing Kaiser that he was asked to reprise the role in many subsequent films. The film was a blockbuster when it was released, and Universal spared no expense in advertising their megahit. Carl Laemmle pushed the film to the theater owners as hard as he sold it to the viewing public. "A whirlwind of Applause - A Landslide of Money," "Unparalleled Receipts," and "The Picture That Blocked Traffic on Broadway" were some of the headlines for ads run in trade publications in an attempt to get theater owners to book the picture. Sadly, prints of the film no longer survive, and this title is on the American Film Institute's list of the "Ten Most Wanted" lost films.The Beast of Berlin and The Kaiser are the other titles for this film. In 1919, a short parody of the film was released titled The Geezer of Berlin.
In a modern interview, Edgar G. Ulmer states that Erich von Stroheim wrote the film's script and played the role of a German general.
[edit] References
Article on The Kaiser, the Beast of Berlin at TCM Movie Database
