Josef von Sternberg
Biography
Josef von Sternberg, born Jonas Sternberg (29 May 1894 – 22 December 1969) was an Austrian-born film director and is among the few whose career successfully spanned the transition from the silent to the sound era. He is considered one of the earliest 'auteur' filmmakers, having filled many other roles on his films including those of cinematographer, screenwriter, and editor. Sternberg's style influenced later directors, particularly those of the film noir period. He is particularly noted for his distinctive mise en scène, use of lighting and soft lens, and collaboration with actress Marlene Dietrich. Among his most important works are The Blue Angel (1930), Morocco (1930), Shanghai Express (1932) and The Scarlet Empress (1934). Andrew Sarris in his influential book of film criticism The American Cinema: Directors and Directions 1929–1968 included him in the "pantheon" of the 14 greatest film directors who had worked in the United States.
Personal Details
Also Known As
Movies (44)
No Angel: A Life of Marlene Dietrich
1996
The Epic That Never Was
as Interviewee [director] / Himself (archive footage)
1969
Josef von Sternberg, A Retrospective
as Interviewee
1969
Josef von Sternberg Interview
as Self
1968
Josef von Sternberg - From Silence Comes Another
as Self
1967
Jet Pilot
Director (Directing)
1957
Anatahan
as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
1953
Macao
Director (Directing)
1952
Duel in the Sun
Co-Director (Directing)
1946
The Town
Director (Directing)
1944
The Shanghai Gesture
Adaptation (Writing)
1941
I Take This Woman
Co-Director (Directing)
1940
Sergeant Madden
Director (Directing)
1939
The Great Waltz
Co-Director (Directing)
1938
The King Steps Out
Director (Directing)
1936
Crime and Punishment
Director (Directing)
1935
The Fashion Side of Hollywood
Director (Directing)
1935
The Devil Is a Woman
Director (Directing)
1935
The Scarlet Empress
Director (Directing)
1934
Blonde Venus
Director (Directing)
1932
Shanghai Express
Director (Directing)
1932
An American Tragedy
Director (Directing)
1931
Dishonored
Music (Sound)
1931
Marlene Dietrich, “The Blue Angel” Screen Test
Director (Directing)
1930
Morocco
Director (Directing)
1930
The Blue Angel
Director (Directing)
1930
Thunderbolt
Director (Directing)
1929
The Case of Lena Smith
Director (Directing)
1929
The Docks of New York
Producer (Production)
1928
The Street of Sin
Story (Writing)
1928
The Drag Net
Director (Directing)
1928
The Last Command
Story (Writing)
1928
Underworld
Director (Directing)
1927
Children of Divorce
Co-Director (Directing)
1927
The Exquisite Sinner
Director (Directing)
1926
A Woman of the Sea
Director (Directing)
1926
The Masked Bride
Director (Directing)
1925
1925 Studio Tour
as Self
1925
The Salvation Hunters
Director (Directing)
1925
By Divine Right
Scenario Writer (Writing)
1924
The Bohemian Girl
Assistant Director (Directing)
1922
The Highest Bidder
Assistant Director (Directing)
1921
The Mystery of the Yellow Room
Assistant Director (Directing)
1919
A Girl's Folly
as Cameraman (uncredited)
1917