As Actor
No Angel: A Life of Marlene Dietrich
1996
6.0
Josef von Sternberg
Acting
Birth date
May 29, 1894
Birth place
Vienna, Austria
Death date
November 22, 1969
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.
Featured in
As Actor
The Epic That Never Was
1969
6.7
As Actor
Josef von Sternberg - From Silence Comes Another
1967
5.0
As Director
Jet Pilot
1957
5.4
As Director, As Writer
Anatahan
1953
6.7
As Director
Macao
1952
6.2
As Director, As Writer
The Shanghai Gesture
1941
6.3
As Director
The Scarlet Empress
1934
6.9
As Director, As Writer
Blonde Venus
1932
6.8
As Director
Morocco
1930
6.3
As Director, As Writer
The Blue Angel
1930
7.3
As Director
The Case of Lena Smith
1929
5.2
As Director
The Docks of New York
1928
6.9
As Director
The Drag Net
1928
6.0
As Director
The Last Command
1928
7.3
As Director, As Writer
The Salvation Hunters
1925
6.3