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IMDb > Das fidele Gefängnis (1917)

Das fidele Gefängnis (1917) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.1/10   225 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 42% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Ernst Lubitsch (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Merry Jail on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 November 1917 (Germany) more
Genre:
Plot:
A neglected wife disguises herself in order to lure her wastrel husband into a compromising position. | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Reviews:
An interesting beginning more (5 total)

Cast

  (Credited cast)
Harry Liedtke ... Alex von Reizenstein
Kitty Dewall ... Alice, his wife
Ossi Oswalda
Agda Nielson ... Mizi, the maid
Paul Biensfeldt
Erich Schönfelder ... Egon Storch
Käthe Dorsch
Emil Jannings ... Quabbe, the jailer
Ernst Lubitsch
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Merry Jail (Europe: English title) (USA)
L'allegra prigione (Italy) [it]
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Runtime:
48 min (20 fps)
Country:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
This short film is featured on the Criterion Collection DVD for Trouble in Paradise (1932). more

FAQ

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2 out of 2 people found the following review useful.
An interesting beginning, 16 January 2003
5/10
Author: jagfx from Montreal, Quebec

"The Merry Jail", which now appears on the wonderful Criterion DVD edition of Ernst Lubitsch's comic masterpiece "Trouble In Paradise", serves as an

interesting introduction to the director's early years as a German silent film director and a first look at his handling of complex, comic relationships between men and women.

The roughly fifty minute film, involves a couple and their maid who all sneak off to the same party to rekindle, confront and find new love. It's not a great film by any stretch, and is often confusing with humor that is dated. However, the real treat of the film is the last fifteen minutes when Lubitsch ties together the stray threads of the story and ties them into (a not necessarily neat) bow.

For an introduction to Lubitsch's work, please stay away from this film and watch "Trouble In Paradise" or "The Shop Around The Corner", but to see the

beginnings of an influential director, "The Merry Jail" is an adequate classroom.

5/10

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Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
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