Shoe Palace Pinkus (1916) - Ernst Lubitsch: Director and Star

Check out my Twitter feed at / bob_toomey .
This is Ernst Lubitsch's first major job as a film director and his first appearance as the comic character he would play for the next three years in Germany, the hustling Berlin Jew who becomes a success through his sharp wits and hard work. It's a funny movie, although not much of the legendary "Lubitsch Touch" is visible. But the seeds of his later masterpieces like "The Shop Around the Corner" can be clearly seen from this humble beginning.
Lubitsch was famous for acting out every part in the movies he directed. Jack Benny was asked if Lubitsch was a good actor, and Benny replied that Lubitsch was a little broad, but you got the idea. Now you'll have a chance to judge his performing skills for yourself.
I added English subtitles to the original German intertitles and a background piano score cribbed from an old W. C. Fields silent. Sorry about the flickering. It's still quite watchable.
Also, take a look at "Meyer from Berlin," elsewhere on my channel. This is Lubitsch's final appearance as the character three years later. It shows a marked improvement in his acting and directing skills, and the video itself looks a lot better.

[@bobtoomey]

I found it somewhere here on UA-cam. I don't remember where. It was not properly identified, either by name or as being by Lubitsch. I just stumbled on it while I was surfing and realized what it was. Pure serendipity. When I spotted it, my heart skipped a beat and I grabbed a copy. The intertitles were in German and there was no soundtrack. I added the English subtitles and an audio track and posted it. So the answer is that it's here somewhere, cleverly disguised as something else.

[@soists2558]

Thanks a lot for uploading SCHUHPALAST PINKUS and also for adding a score. As you may know, Samuel Billie/Billy Wilder, yet another Jew from the German speaking world, until his death, in his Paramount Office had a plate on the wall saying HOW WOULD LUBITSCH DO IT? His permanent reminder to strive after the very best of his craft.

[@theMadMusician6]

"Pinkus' Shoe Palace" is available on the Criterion Collection DVD "To Be or Not To Be".

[@bobtoomey]

+Tom Cortese That's nice to hear. Have you seen it? How's the quality?

[@waderaney7]

A 👍 story😊

[@MOTHERofSEPHY]

I have been going crazy for several years trying to find this film. May I ask where you got it?

[@Howyaduing]

31:40

[@user-cd1id3gb8t]

Al Bundy's grandfather.

[@jimruggirello5092]

Very hard to watch.