EYES OF THE MUMMY
(OCZY MUMII)



1918, 63'. Silent with English intertitles.

DIRECTION:
Ernst Lubitsch
SCRIPT:
Hans Kraly and Emil Rameau
CINEMATOGRAPHY:
Alfred Hansen
PRODUCTION DESIGN:
Kurt Richter
PRODUCER:
Paul Davidson
PRODUCED BY:
Projektions - AG Union [PAGU, later UFA]

Cast: Pola Negri (Mara), Emil Jannings (Radu), Herry Liedtke (Painter Albert Wendland)

Albert Wendland, a young European painter studying in Egypt, overhears Prince Hohenfels' plans to visit the mysterious tomb of Queen Ma. Albert is intrigued when he hears a local legend that everyone who enters the crypt, leaves it insane. Ignoring the warning, Wedland arranges to be taken to the tomb to see what makes it such a terrifying place. Upon arrival, he is greeted by Radu, who leads him to Queen Ma's coffin. There he sees the eyes behind the coffin slowly open and come to life! Wedland discovers a young girl Mara held prisoner by Radu. Albert rescues Mara and takes her to his European home where they are soon married. Meanwhile, Radu has sworn revenge upon the girl. The twisting story leads to the gripping ending which of course is the "Lubitsch touch" in development and quite well along.

This was Lubitsch's first dramatic picture and his first directing Pola Negri. Both were hired by Paul Davidson, a theatre owner, who decided to enter the film production. Often wrongly grouped with horror films because of its title, the film actually is a melodrama.

Thursday , November 15, 2007 at 8:00 pm. (PORTAGE THEATRE)