Refocus: the Films of Paul Leni

Paul Leni is one of the most influential filmmakers of the silent era, but his work has received little attention in English-language scholarship. This collection offers new insights into his life and career, including his early visual and theatrical work, collaborations with contemporary filmmakers, career in set and stage design, and transition from German to Hollywood filmmaking. It explores his most influential films, such as Waxworks, The Cat and the Canary, and The Man Who Laughs, and lesser-known productions such as The Diary of Dr. Hart, Backstairs, and the Rebus film series. The contributors engage with new historical, analytical, and theoretical perspectives on Leni's work, making it a groundbreaking exploration of a cinematic pioneer.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2022
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Paul Leni, a pivotal figure in the silent-era film industry, has received limited attention in scholarly discourse compared to his German contemporaries, such as Fritz Lang, F. W. Murnau, and Ernst Lubitsch. This collection, the first comprehensive English-language exploration of Leni's life and career, seeks to rectify this oversight. It delves into various facets of Leni's artistic creativity, encompassing his early visual and theatrical work in Germany during the 1910s, his collaborations with contemporary filmmakers, his career in set and stage design, and his transition from German to Hollywood filmmaking.

The contributors to this volume offer fresh perspectives on Leni's most influential films, including Waxworks (1924), The Cat and the Canary (1927), and The Man Who Laughs (1928). They also explore lesser-known productions such as The Diary of Dr. Hart (1918), Backstairs (1921), and the Rebus film series (1925-7). By engaging with new historical, analytical, and theoretical approaches to Leni's work, this book pioneers a groundbreaking exploration of a cinematic pioneer.

Leni's early visual and theatrical work in Germany during the 1910s laid the foundation for his later cinematic achievements. His collaborations with contemporary filmmakers, such as Fritz Lang and Erich von Stroheim, showcased his versatility and adaptability. Leni's experiments with set and stage design, particularly in his German films, demonstrated his innovative approach to filmmaking.

However, it was his transition to Hollywood filmmaking that marked a significant turning point in his career. Leni's films in Hollywood, such as The Big House (1923) and The Last Command (1928), showcased his ability to adapt to the studio system and incorporate American elements into his work. His collaborations with actors such as Charles Chaplin and Buster Keaton further solidified his reputation as a skilled filmmaker.

In conclusion, Paul Leni's life and career deserve greater recognition in film scholarship. This collection offers a comprehensive exploration of his artistic creativity, providing new insights into his national and international films, his bold forays into scenic design, and his transition from German to Hollywood filmmaking. By engaging with new historical, analytical, and theoretical perspectives on Leni's work, this book pioneers a groundbreaking exploration of a cinematic pioneer.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474454520