Ernst Lubitsch: Laughter in Paradise (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Historians have long theorized that the Lubitsch family emigrated from Hungary, or from the southeastern Austrian empire, perhaps Galicia..." (more)
Key Phrases: release date unknown, production head, New York, Ernst Lubitsch, The Merry Widow (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ernst Lubitsch (1892-1947) made elegant, warmly human comedies exuding sexual sophistication, yet in his personal life, notes Eyman, the German-born film director was vulnerable and almost naive. Son of a middle-class Berlin tailor who had escaped the squalor of czarist Russia, Lubitsch moved to Hollywood in 1922 with his first wife, temperamental actress Helene Sonnet Kraus. Her affair with Lubitsch's best friend, screenwriter Hans Kraly, wrecked their marriage, reports Eyman ( Mary Pickford ). Lubitsch's second wife, aristocratic Vivian Gaye, who considered him vulgar, was widely viewed as a gold digger by his friends. As production head of Paramount, Lubitsch encountered a hornet's nest of egos and political intrigue that led to his dismissal in 1936. In an entrancing, revealing biography that illuminates the unique chemistry behind "the Lubitsch Touch," Eyman limns a single-minded director, despised by Hitler, who embodied the classic immigrant experience in Hollywood by giving a European twist to American genres in classics like Ninotchka , Design for Living and Heaven Can Wait. Photos.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

After starring in and directing silent films in Germany, Lubitsch emigrated to America, where his success continued until he died in 1947. Lubitsch produced, directed, and was the uncredited co-writer on some of the most stylish and sophisticated comedies ever made, including Trouble in Paridise (1932), Ninotchka (1939), and To Be or Not To Be (1942). Eyman's well-researched biography is successful in showing how Lubitsch was similar to, and different from, the characters in his films. While Eyman is not blind to Lubitsch's faults, his admiration is evident. More detailed notes on the sources would have been welcome; nevertheless, this account is highly recommended.
- John Smothers, Monmouth Cty. Lib., Manalapan, N.J.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1ST edition (November 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671749366
• ISBN-13: 978-0671749361
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,728,679 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A very good biography !, May 11, 2001

By	Annie (NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ernst Lubitsch: Laughter in Paradise (Paperback)

This biography of the geat Ernst LUBITSCH is really better than the overrated book "THE LUBITSCH TOUCH" by WEINBERG. It is an alive book by a writer who really admire the director and the man. It also gives some good reviews and information about Lubitsch's geat films. My only complain is that the autor doesn't really develop the German period (which is still underrated and considered as "vulgar" - "thanks" to the famous critic Lotte EISNER), like all the books about Lubitsch, it focuses on the masterpierces of the 30's and the 40's (the most known period and the best of course). But buy it, if you want to know more about LUBITSCH/the man (and prefer this book to Weinberg's one). About LUBITSCH/the director, buy the excellent book by S. RAPHAELSON "3 screen comedies" (if you can find it !) and J. HARVEY's "American comedies : from Lubitsch to Sturges".