Angel

Angel was Marlene's last film for Paramount, which concluded her first Hollywood phase. After the success of Morocco, she signed a glorious seven-year contract, most of which she filled by working on some of the most accomplished films in world cinema. On that occasion, she minimally distanced herself from her maestro Joe, but she also began enjoying working with fashion maestro Travis Banton. Travis was the uncrowned king of classic Hollywood studio costumes. After Marlene and Joe parted ways, her relationship with Travis also ended. They knew that the Angel was their last job together and therefore Mrs. Brown was not allowed to wear anything other than exactly what the mise en scene called for. In addition, Lubitsch's game, in which Marlene oscillated between the earnest Marshall and the urgent Douglas, provided many interesting opportunities for the plot to always be punctuated by visuals as well. So what about the music? Classic Hollaender goodness. It is unspeakably devastating that after such a film, Marlene went on such a long vacation before she decided to return to the screen again. In 1938, she could have created even more gems. (05/08/2010)