Angel is a 1937 American comedy-drama starring Marlene Dietrich, Herbert Marshal and Melvyn Douglas. Ernst Lubitsch produced and directed the film. Angel was the last film, Marlene Dietrich.
This movie has so many aspects that make it enchanting and entertaining. Travis Banton’s costume design was exquisite, as was his set design and decoration. Marlene Dietrich’s already irrepressibly radiant beauty and natural charm are only accentuated by Charles Lang’s stunning cinematography, which, coupled with delicate lighting, makes every scene very appealing to the eye. Her astounding range is tempered with fabulous, very deliberate subtlety, and she radiates an irresistible elegance and allure that brings out the best in all these facets of her acting. ‘Angel’ departs distinctly from the kind of robust comedy and absurdism we usually associate with director Ernst Lubitsch but instead delivers sharp wit in the crafting of every line of dialogue, every character, and every scene. It is immediately captivating as a viewer and just as thoroughly engaging as any extravagant romp of dire drama.
The very arrangement of each moment, both on paper and film, is full of such barely restrained tension, yet is also so perfect, resonant, fluid and organic that it is nothing short of mellifluous. Those performances are, of course, a fine reflection of the quality of the production. It goes for everyone, including Edward Everett Horton and Ernest Cossart in smaller roles as Graham and Mr Wilton, but displaying outstanding and gratifying presence, poise, and delivery. Herbert Marshall and Melvyn Douglas both exhibit their nuance and personality equally well as Frederick Barker and Anthony Halton, respectively, calming yet electrifying simultaneously, as both build the unspoken pressure and keep it under control with their charisma.
Below are some beautiful photos of Marlene Dietrich during the filming of ‘Angel (1937).’
