604. Nosferatu (1922)

*The Warlock opens the door to his lair. He’s wearing a black leather jacket, Ruthless Records t-shirt, blue jeans, white sneakers and gargoyle shades. He’s holding a diamond studded goblet of Pepsi*

W: Welcome to my lair….welcome I don’t think so, but enter. Enter my lair if you dare. I’m your host The Warlock.

*Warlock shoots fire into the sky and walks inside*

W: As we continue Public Domain Week its time for something special. Instead of taking a look at one of the movies that just became Public Domain, we’re going to watch one of the most legendary movies of all time that’s been Public Domain all along. The one….the only….NOSFERATU!

*Neyzor Blades is in the recliner in standard attire*

Blades: That old vampire movie?

W: The same. For those were not aware there’s a lot of backstory to this. In 1921 German director Friedrich Murnau and screenwriter Henrik Galeen decided to make an adaptation of the Bram Stoker novel Dracula. The only problem was Bram Stoker had died 9 years earlier and his estate was in his widow’s name. Without even asking for permission, Murnau and Galeen decided to make a Dracula movie anyway only they decided to rename everyone to avoid a lawsuit……it didn’t work. Bram Stoker’s widow Florence got wind that there was a huge party in Berlin in 1922 to celebrate the opening of NOSFERATU and sued. She requested not only monitory compensation but every negative and copy of the movie to be destroyed. Almost 95% of every film can and negative of Nosferatu was destroyed.

Blades: But not all of them?

W: Exactly. Those that did survive became passed around underground and eventually enough copies were made to show the film in the United States in the late 1920’s. Now because of youtube, VHS and dvd. the movie is everywhere now. But because Florence Stoker never gave permission and won her lawsuit, technically the film studio had no rights to the movie. After Florence Stoker died in 1937, NOBODY had rights to the movie. Therefore the movie is in Public Domain and free to use by anyone.

Blades: So that’s why we’re watching this?

W: Yes. Now there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost its a silent film, so there’s absolutely no dialogue. Its going to be 80 minutes of score, overacting and visual effects. Second of all, the names have been changed but the story of Dracula is still the same with a few exceptions deviating from the book. Third of all, I have no idea if this is going to be good because of all that’s involved. There’s only one way to find out and that’s watch the movie. So grab your popcorn, grab your drink and grab your woman because its time for Nosferatu.

Directed by Friedrich Murnau

Written by Henrik Galeen

Cast:

Max Schreck	…	Graf Orlok
	Gustav von Wangenheim	…	Hutter (as Gustav v. Wangenheim)
	Greta Schröder	…	Ellen – seine Frau (as Greta Schroeder)
	Georg H. Schnell	…	Harding – ein Reeder (as G.H. Schnell)
	Ruth Landshoff	…	Ruth – seine Schwester
	Gustav Botz	…	Professor Sievers – der Stadtarzt
	Alexander Granach	…	Knock – ein Häusermakler
	John Gottowt	…	Professor Bulwer – ein Paracelsianer
	Max Nemetz	…	Ein Kapitän
	Wolfgang Heinz	…	1. Matrose
	Albert Venohr	…	2. Matrose
	Eric van Viele	…	Matrose 2
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
	Karl Etlinger	…	Kontrolleur am Kai (uncredited)
	Guido Herzfeld	…	Wirt (uncredited)
	Hans Lanser-Rudolf	…	A magistrate (uncredited)
	Loni Nest	…	Child at Window (uncredited)
	Josef Sareny	…	Head coachman (uncredited)
	Fanny Schreck	…	Krankenschwester im Hospital (uncredited)
	Hardy von Francois	…	Arzt im Hospital (uncredited)
	Heinrich Witte	…	Wärter im Irrenhaus (uncredited)

*Warlock reads the tag-line*

W: “Vampire Count Orlok expresses interest in a new residence and real estate agent Hutter’s wife.”

N: “Why?”