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What's Wrong with Anti-Nazi Films?

2003; Duke University Press; Issue: 89 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/3211150

1558-1462

Klaus Mann,

German History and Society

The totalitarian challenge calls for a total defense program. The intellectual vanguard has long recognized its obligation in the face of a universal emergency. Culture has mobilized voluntarily. Even the film.... No doubt, the film is primarily and admittedly a business enterprisebig business, ruthless and tasteless business. We have to accept the fact that among hundred of moving pictures there are hardly two or three worth any serious consideration. The rest the overwhelming majority is glaring trash: pretty legs and idiotic faces. Ziegfeld girls in technicolor, tough guys and Merry Melodies, angels with dirty faces. Marlene Dietrich with sunken cheeks and no talent, Mickey Rooney as Romeo, Mickey Mouse as Hamlet, Shirley Temple as Polonius, Stokowsky as prima ballerina, Silly Symphonies by Bach and Beethoven, the board of directors in their fascinating act as Last Gangsters, the writers' department as Dead End Kids, Mae West and Norma Shearer as Blossoms in the Dust. Dust... dust... Gone with the Wind ... box office dust....