Waxworks [Das Wachsfigurenkabinett] ***** (1924, Emil Jannings, Conrad Veidt, Werner Krauss) – Classic Movie Review 2149

Stuttgart-born film pioneer Paul Leni’s 1924 German Expressionist feast focuses on a young poet and writer (William Dieterle) who accepts a job from a waxworks proprietor to write a series of gothic stories for Harun al-Rashid (in the Arabian Knights tale), Ivan the Terrible and Jack the Ripper, three brooding exhibits in the wax museum. Waxworks is written by Henrik Galeen, also the writer of Nosferatu (1922).

Emil Jannings is magnificent as the pot-bellied, scheming tyrant Harun al-Rashid, Werner Krauss scores as Jack the Ripper and Conrad Veidt brings a wonderful pop-eyed malevolence to his role as the sadistic Ivan the Terrible. All three actors are clearly relishing playing their extravagant parts. Future director William Dieterle (billed as Wilhelm Dieterle) plays The Poet, Assad the Baker and a Russian Prince.

Imperial Baghdad and fog-bound London both receive lavish visual treatment from the fired-up director Leni. The film is packed full of theatrical exuberance and it is beautifully shot by cinematographer Helmar Lerski on eye-catching sets by Alfred Junge. Waxworks is one of the masterpieces of horror and treasures of silent cinema.

Though Leni is credited with the direction, Leo Birinski apparently directed the actors. Leni was also responsible for the settings with the assistance of Fritz Maurischat. Leni swapped Galeen’s fourth tale about Rinaldo Rinaldini for the short story of Spring-Heeled Jack.

The running time is 65 minutes but the restored version is 83 minutes.

Leni is also known for The Man Who Laughs (1928) and The Cat and the Canary (1927).

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2149

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