Der Golem

[Gojira]

This is a movie that I alwayswanted to see and I had the chance about a year ago. This movie titled Der Golem was made in 1914 and went under the title Monster of Fate here in the USA. The movie was directed by Paul Wegener. Wegener not only directed but he produced and co wrote the movie. On top of that Paul Wegener played the part of the giant clay Statue whos name was Teuton. Der Golem had 2 sequels and Paul Wegener played the part of Teuton in all 3 movies. He also directed all 3 movies in 1914 1917 1920. The 2nd movie in 1917 was titled Der Golem und die Tanzerin. This 2nd Goem movie in 1917 is also important in the history of horror movies seen that it was the 1st horror movie sequel made. And in 1920 the 3rd of the Golem movies was made titled Wie Er in die welt Kam ( How he came into the World) If someone were to ask me how to discribe Golem to them I would say its like a Jewish Frankenstien movie. German director Paul Wegener became the first film maker since film maker Georges Melies to specialize in the Supernatural. The last Golem movie came to the USA 3 years after it was made in 1923.

[phantomstranger]

Wow, your dragging up some oldies here. I saw the original Golem about 25 years ago at a Historical film society. It was very impressive. You can see were the later Frankenstein films got some of there influence.

[Gojira]

Hi Phantomstranger I agree Der Golem is in my book a very good horror movie. I really like its historic fact that it was the 1st horror movie to have sequels. I know Thomas Edison made Frankenstien in 1910 and Golem was made 4 years later in 1914. But maybe the 2nd Frankenstien movie in 1915 titled Life without a Soul may have been influenced by Paul Wegeners Der Golem movie the year before. Some horror fans think that the reason Universal made sequels to Frankenstien in 1931 is because of the Golem movies. I dont know if thats true or not but Golem no doubt was influence on many future horror movies.

[phantomstranger]

To be honest with you, I think the main reason Universal made sequels was simply Because, the originals made a lot of money

[ClassicHorror]

I like The Golem (1920). Paul Wegner is quite astonishing when you make him do monster movies. The 1915 version I havn't had the chance of seeing, is it possible to get this on dvd, if yes its mine.

His first film was in 1913 was Student of Prague, he made Der Golem in 15', Der Yoghi in 1916, also in 1916 Old Nip's Wedding. In 1917 he makes two more films: Hans Trutz im Schlaraffenland, and The Golem and The Dancing Girl. In 1918 he makes the Pied Piper of Hamelin. In 1919 Der Galeerensträfling. He makes his most famous film in 1920: The Golem. In 1922 he makes Herzog Ferrantes Ende. In 1924 Living Budhas, in 1934 The Girl Friend of a Big Man. Also in 1934: A Man Wants to Get to Germany . He makes 4 films in 1936: Moscow Shanghai, Stunde der Versuchung Die, Row and Joy About Kunnemann, and Kind August The Strong. His last film was in 1937 Unter Ausschluß der Öffentlichkeit.

[Gojira]

Hi Classic DerGolem was made in 1914 but it came to the USA in 1915 titled The Monster of Fate and the movie bombed. Golem may have showed up in later years in Le Golem a French verion of Paul Wegeners movie. The movie was made again using the same title in 1966. Also in 1966 a movie made in London titled IT had the Golem in it this movie also stared Rodney McDowell. And in 1951 a Czechoslovakian movie was made titled The Emporer and the Golem.

[MrShape]

As far as I'm aware, the 1914 version of DerGolem is a lost film. Some stills of Werger in his orginal make up exist, but no one has been able to unearth a print of it. Werger himself prefered the later version. The 1920 version is one of my favorite silents along side Lang's Metropolis, Murnau's Nosferatu and Faust, and Christiansen's Haxan (Witchcraft Through The Ages).

[Gojira]

I hate it when old horror movies are lost and no longer exist. It would be great to see Life without a Soul 1915 the 2nd Frankenstien movie to be made 70 minutes long and compare it to the 1931 Karloff Frankenstien movie thats 75 minutes long.

[ClassicHorror]

I would like to see Devils Castle, and all the other films early horror films Melies made.

[Gojira]

Well Classic thats a novel idea but keep in mind the 1st horror movies made were not very long. Or any movies at the time were not long so remaking them today would only be remaking very short movies. But maybe a remake of Golem would be cool today or not. I think the only other movie series that has a statue that comes to life besides Golem is Daieis Majin movies. Majin is a giant samurai statue that comes to life and Daiei made 3 Majin movies in the 1960s.