The Merry Jail

1/29/2013

The Merry Jail or Das fidele Gefängnis (1917) is one of the early films of Ernst Lubitsch. A light comedy, based on Strauss's operetta 'Die Fledermaus', about a rich couple and their maid in a gay Berlin of endless parties and ceremonies. It is also one of early films of Emil Jannings in the role of a nutty prison guard. The 25 year old Lubitsch portrays one his first and most original conceptions of marriage and women in a manner that is certainly years ahead of its time. And that's why I get disappointed when I didn't find this film among Kristin Thompson's selected titles to examine Lubitsch's career and his influence on Hollywood in her fantastic book, "Herr Lubitsch Goes to Hollywood". There are numerous scenes with unforgettable technical creativity. For example an excellent shot