S1E08 - The Oyster Princess [1919] with Bram Ruiter

Season One draws to a close in maximalist style as experimental filmmaker Bram Ruiter us for a particularly exuberant episode in which we discuss Lubitsch’s grand Ruritanian comic epic THE OYSTER PRINCESS. Our discussion is wide-ranging and a little giddy due to our excitement at discussing such a thrilling and hilarious mini-epic, so prepare for a slightly looser episode than usual! Lubitsch’s growth as an artist, Ossi Oswalda’s indomitability, and a long digression about Berlin’s film museum are all on the table. Immense to everyone that made this season possible: All of our guests: Lauren Faulker Rossi, Will Ross, Dara Jaffe, Matt Severson, Peter Labuza, Tim Brayton, Jose Arroyo, Fran Hoepfner, and Bram Ruiter. Everyone who provided invaluable content, helped find guests, or otherwise graciously lent their valuable counsel and support: Anna Citak-Scott, Dave Kehr, David Cairns, Kristin Thompson, Paul Cuff, Luci Marzola, Stefan Drössler, the MOMA, all of our soon-to-be-announced future guests, and many others. And, of course, to anyone who’s listened to our show and is reading this right now: thanks for surviving the most comically esoteric season of film podcasts imaginable. NEXT SEASON: We’re taking a month off! Join us in March as we enter our second season in which we’ll cover the final stretch of Lubitsch’s career in Berlin. If you’re curious as to which films we’ll be covering, check out our Season 2 Resources page. If you’d like to get a head start, check out Kristin Thompson’s essential book HERR LUBITSCH GOES TO HOLLYWOOD, available here.