In 1920, a German film production company released a movie titled “Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari.” Directed by Robert Wiene and with a budget of only $18,000 ($200,000 now), it would not only influence a whole new art style but also introduce a brand new genre of films to Hollywood.
(Public Domain Photo)
Conrad Veidt and Lil Dagover in “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.”
Plot: At a carnival in Germany, Francis and his friend Alan encounter Dr. Caligari. They both see Caligari introduce his somnambulist, Cesare, who he claims can predict the future, to everyone´s surprise, he had predicted Alan´s death, making him (Cesare) the main suspect.
German expressionism: An art style used to convey the severity of modern life.
In 1913 Hans Janowitz was following a young woman around a local fair at night when he suddenly lost her, then heard laughter and saw a glimpse of a man who immediately vanished when he noticed him. The next day it was announced that a young woman had been murdered. Believing that it was the same woman from the fair, Hans attended her funeral and claimed another attendee was the man who vanished. This was partially his inspiration for the film. The recent expressionist movement that had already begun to influence artists was key to the set designers. They thought it would be a good way to approach what they were going for in the film not only this but because the budget was so low, the designs consisted of drawn-on lamps, houses, and shadows in obscure shapes, nothing was truly what it seemed to be. Germany during this time had never seen a movie as unique as Caligari’s. It was mixed emotions in every review, one stating in Variety, “So-called cultured people who fail to see it are neglecting their education.”
(Public Domain photo)
Conrad Veidt, Friedrich Feher, Werner Krauss, and Rudolf Lettinger in “The Cabinet of Dr.Caligari.”
Once the film was released in America, magazines and film critics said it was an immediate hit, saying that people wanted to “See something new” and their interpretation of the style was ‘Not merely fantastic; they reflect the characters’ mental state. ‘The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari’ will likely influence motion picture producers greatly.” The impact it had on American producers was huge, the dark atmosphere inspired many film noir movies, and was considered to be the first-ever “real” horror film. Many before this contain the same elements to be considered horror, but this is rightfully the first. The look of Cesare (Conrad Veidt) inspired Tim Burton for the look of Edward Scissorhands, which inspired Stanley Kubrick for “The Shining.” In 2005 they recreated the movie. Still, the overall unique elements and plot of the movie remain an inspiration for directors and producers today.
