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.

Directed

1. The Blue Angel (1930) — Director
2. Shanghai Express (1932) — Director
3. Morocco (1930) — Director
4. Blonde Venus (1932) — Director
5. The Scarlet Empress (1934) — Director
6. The Docks of New York (1928) — Director
7. The Last Command (1928) — Director
8. Underworld (1927) — Director
9. Dishonored (1931) — Director
10. The Shanghai Gesture (1941) — Director
11. The Devil Is a Woman (1935) — Director
12. Crime and Punishment (1935) — Director
13. Macao (1952) — Director
14. Jet Pilot (1957) — Director
15. Anatahan (1953) — Director
16. Thunderbolt (1929) — Director
17. An American Tragedy (1931) — Director
18. The Salvation Hunters (1925) — Director
19. The King Steps Out (1936) — Director
20. The Case of Lena Smith (1929) — Director
21. Marlene Dietrich, “The Blue Angel” Screen Test (1930) — Director
22. The Town (1944) — Director
23. Sergeant Madden (1939) — Director
24. A Woman of the Sea (1926) — Director
25. The Drag Net (1928) — Director
26. The Fashion Side of Hollywood (1935) — Director
27. The Exquisite Sinner (1926) — Director
28. The Masked Bride (1925) — Director
29. I, Claudius (1937) — Director

Also appeared in

1. Anatahan (1953) — Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
2. 1925 Studio Tour (1925) — Self
3. The Epic That Never Was (1969) — Self - Interviewee
4. A Girl's Folly (1917) — Cameraman (uncredited)
5. Josef von Sternberg - From Silence Comes Another (1967) — Self
6. Josef von Sternberg, A Retrospective (1969) — Interviewee
7. No Angel: A Life of Marlene Dietrich (1996)
8. The World of Josef von Sternberg (1967) — Self
9. German Film Award (1951) — Self
10. Josef von Sternberg Interview (1968) — Self
11. Marlene Dietrich: Home Movies — Himself