ironhorse_iv
Heidelberg, Germany is truly a wonderful city!!! Locate on the river Neckar in south-west Germany. It is the fifth-largest in Baden-Württemberg, and an absolutely glorious place. Sadly, this movie doesn't use any of the real-life locations like the Heidelberg Castle, Hotel Ritter, Old Bridge, or Heidelberg University; choosing instead to film in Laurel Canyon, California for establishing shots. It's one of disappointing things about this film. The fake looking castle model and the lack of local sights, make this movie seem like the story can take place anywhere in Germany, but most of all, remind me, way too much of Munich. Why, because for most of all the film, it only show the beer garden and not enough of the schooling. It really doesn't fit that well with 'Old Heidelberg' motif that much. Still, I have to say, this is one of director, Ernst Lubitsch's finest films. It was well shot. The way, his crew shot the beer-garden with all the students in the opening was amazing and epic. Also, the way, he show the sands of time, toward the end with the hilltop was very powerful. Truly, this movie had the 'Lubitsch Touch'. Loosely based on the 1901 play 'Old Heidelberg' by author Wilhelm Meyer-Förster & the operetta 'Student Prince' by Sigmund Romberg, this sophisticated coming-of-age story tells the tale of an melancholy introvert prince, Karl Heinrich (Ramón Novarro) trying to escape the strict reality of his imprisonment world by travelling to Heidelberg as a student, in attempt to learn what love and comradeship is really about, with the help of a beautiful barmaid, named Kathi Ruder (Norma Shearer). Without spoiling the movie, too much, I have to say, unlike other fairy tale silent films, I had watch. This movie wasn't really boring. Yes, it does have some slow moments in the beginning, but toward the end, the pacing really does pick up. The story was very entertaining for most part, despite having no sound and song numbers. I think, the reason why it works, is because how compelling the acting from both of the main actors, were. While, the romantic chemistry of the two, might be questionable, seeing how one of the actors is gay in real-life, and how the movie doesn't really establish, a good reason for them to fall in love, besides 'love in first sight'. I have to say, both, do work with each other, somewhat well, even if Karl seem a bit 'forceful'. I think, the reason, why I love these two actors, so much in this film, wasn't because of their chemistry for each other, but the way, they were able to show, loneliness and a sense of longing. It's the reason why, I have to disagree with the director feelings that these two roles were miscast. However, it does seem somewhat odd that they would hired a Mexican-American and Irish American for a German role. Despite that, both were charming enough to keep me, interested. Plus, it does help that both of the main performers were very good-looking. I don't care, if Florenz Ziegfeld turn her down, because of her crossed eyes and stubby legs. Norma Shearer is one attractive lady. This was a break-out role for her. The same, goes to Novarro who was promoted by MGM as the next "Latin lover". He really became known as a sex symbol after the death of Rudolph Valentino. It just suck, that he got murder, later in his life. Another reason, why this film, somewhat work for me, was because the witty jokes and humor. It was very funny. Very few misses. Much of this success, goes to supporting actor, Jean Hersholt for the way, he portray, Dr. Friedrich Jüttner, Karl's sympathetic mentor. The way, he interact with his co-stars, makes his scenes, some of the best, in the film. Another reason, why I love this film, is the soundtrack by composer Carl Davis & English Chamber Orchestra gives for the home video reissue. It was very captivating. Added to the remastered version, with very few film grain. Then you have a very watchable movie. Overall: Even with the downer ending, the lack of music, the over promoting of alcohol abuse & cigarette smoking, I still found myself, glue to my screen. In my opinion, this movie is way better than 1954 or 1959 color versions or any of the previous films like 1915's 'Old Heidelberg' or the 1923's German version, combine. It's truly a classic that needs to be seen. Highly recommended checking out.
GManfred
I know, I know. This is a screen version of an old play. But having seen "The Student Prince" on screen in the '54 MGM version and on the stage, I missed the glorious Romberg score more than I thought I would. I even tried humming the songs at the right times to fit the movie. Romberg wrote the music in 1924, but this was still the silent era, although it is true that some musical films were accompanied in big cities by orchestras behind the screen, which is about as close as they could come way back then.This movie had the advantage of having Ernst Lubitsch as director, but the famed 'Lubitsch touch' is not readily apparent. It is a straight dramatic movie with a lot of heart and feeling and solid acting performances, especially Jean Hersholt as the prince's teacher and companion. Norma Shearer was as able and competent as always, while Ramon Novarro tended to overact.My overarching thought was how sad it is that the operetta has fallen out of favor since this was remade in 1954. That's an indictment of the cultural anemia that has inflicted our society since the middle of the last century. And sex, which drives stage and screen nowadays, is antithetical to the advancement of culture.
