Fritz Lang Popular actor and director Date of Birth: 05.12.1890 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Early Career and Personal Tragedy
3. Breakthrough and International Recognition
4. Emigration to America
5. Hollywood Career and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Fritz Lang was born on December 5, 1890, in Vienna, Austria. His parents were immigrants from Moravia and raised him in a Catholic household. Lang's mother, who had Jewish roots, converted to Catholicism when Lang was ten years old. From a young age, Lang had a passion for drawing and painting. However, at his father's insistence, he enrolled in a technical school to become an engineer after completing elementary school. Lang abandoned his engineering studies in 1908 and began attending painting classes at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. Seeking to learn from the best masters in the world, Lang traveled to Munich and America. His final destination on this journey was Paris, where he attended the Académie Julian from 1913 to 1914. It was in France that he first encountered the art of cinema.

Early Career and Personal Tragedy

Lang's education was interrupted by World War I. Like many young men of his age, he volunteered and was sent to the front lines. During breaks between battles, Lang wrote screenplays and even staged small performances for the servicemen. It was during this time that he caught the attention of Berlin film producer Erich Pommer. In 1918, after being wounded, Lang was deemed unfit for service and discharged. Upon leaving the hospital, he immediately went to Berlin, where Pommer hired him as a staff screenwriter for the 'Decla' studio. Several films were made from Lang's scripts, but they did not bring the budding filmmaker fame. During this period, Lang experienced a personal tragedy that remains the subject of debate. His first wife, Elizabeth Rosenthal, died under mysterious circumstances, having shot herself in the chest. There were rumors that she caught Lang with his lover, Thea von Harbou, and was killed during a struggle. In 1922, two years after his wife's death, Lang married Harbou, which further fueled these suspicions.

Breakthrough and International Recognition

In 1919, Lang managed to direct his first feature film, 'Harakiri,' which established him as a talented director. The film received approval from the production company, and he went on to create several successful films in the following years. One notable work from this period was the philosophical and lyrical tale of love, 'Destiny' (1921). This film brought Lang international acclaim and critical recognition. Other major works of Lang's German period include the detective drama 'Dr. Mabuse the Gambler' (1922) and the film 'Die Nibelungen' (1924), based on the ancient Germanic epic. However, his most significant achievement was undoubtedly the renowned dystopian film 'Metropolis' (1927), which he conceived after visiting America. 'Metropolis' was the most expensive and grandiose film of its time and made a lasting impact on the world. Technically, it astounded audiences with its scale and perfection. Lang dedicated himself to the artistic aspects of the film, while his wife, Thea von Harbou, took charge of the storyline. Lang often stated that 'Metropolis' was his favorite silent film of all.

Emigration to America

Lang had the opportunity to lead the German film industry when Joseph Goebbels, the Minister of Propaganda, offered him the position. Goebbels claimed that Adolf Hitler highly admired Lang's films 'Metropolis' and 'Die Nibelungen.' However, due to his political beliefs, Lang declined the offer. In April 1933, he divorced Harbou and moved to Paris in July. Lang lived in France for only a year before relocating to the United States in 1934. Already a renowned director, he easily secured a contract with MGM. However, conquering America was not an immediate success for Lang. The press reported that many were cautious of him, and it took him some time to adapt to American realities. This was due to the fact that MGM specialized in popular films and focused on commercial success, while Lang believed that cinema should bear responsibility, if not to the public, then to oneself. Eventually, a compromise was reached, and Lang began working on films.

Hollywood Career and Legacy

Lang's first success in Hollywood was the crime drama 'Fury' (1936), which brilliantly depicted mob psychology. The film was a hit with audiences and received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. However, after the film's release, Lang made negative comments about the studio's work in an interview, leading to his exclusion from MGM. Lang's career was saved by actress Sylvia Sidney, who portrayed the lead role in 'Fury.' She found an independent producer willing to sponsor several of Lang's projects. Sidney went on to appear in several of Lang's films and played a significant role in his life. Their most famous collaboration was the crime drama 'You Only Live Once' (1937), which laid the foundations for the film noir genre and is considered a classic.

In 1937, Fritz Lang signed a contract with Paramount Pictures, and two years later, he began working with 20th Century Fox. Some of his most notable films from this period include the western 'The Return of Frank James' (1940), the thriller 'Man Hunt' (1941), and the anti-fascist drama 'Hangmen Also Die!' (1943). Lang also had great success working with actress Joan Bennett in films like the film noir classics 'The Woman in the Window' (1944) and 'Scarlet Street' (1945), as well as the gothic thriller 'Secret Beyond the Door' (1948).

Lang's last Hollywood film was 'Beyond a Reasonable Doubt' (1956). In 1956, he briefly traveled to West Germany, but upon returning, he stopped making films. He spent the rest of his life traveling and occasionally making films in Italy, India, and Germany. In 1960, Lang directed his final work, 'The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse.' He occasionally appeared at prestigious film festivals, played himself in films, and served as a consultant for aspiring directors.

Fritz Lang passed away on August 2, 1976, in Beverly Hills and was buried in the Hollywood Hills. As a representative of German expressionism, Lang anticipated the aesthetics of American film noir. He had a significant influence on shaping post-war cinema and became one of the most influential European directors working in Hollywood.