Der Fluch der Menschheit. Teil 1: Die Tochter der Arbeit
The first part of the two-part work, 'Der Fluch der Menschheit' (English title: The Curse of Man), depicts, over five acts, the rise of Anne Marie from simple working girl to factory owner. The young woman is loved by the hardworking mechanic Mälzer, but feels herself attracted to the wealthy Baron von Meindel, whom she believes is capable of making all her dreams come true. Her brother Paul, a lazy dreamer, breaks into Meindel’s home and is caught in the act. In order to save her brother, Marie becomes the aristocrat’s lover. Mälzer, the now spurned lover, learns of the exchange, and wants to kill the brother. He accidentally kills the brother's lover instead, however, and winds up behind bars.
During the years of Mälzer’s imprisonment, Baron von Meindel finds himself in dire financial straits. Afraid that Anne Marie might leave him, he contemplates suicide, but a meeting with the newly released ex-convict Mälzer prevents him from doing this. On the advice that “work is the best consolation,” the Baron decides to start a new life abroad.
Anne Marie’s life now takes another turn. A young artist paints her as 'The Daughter of Labor.' When the industrialist and mine owner Theißen sees the picture, he falls in love with the young woman. The two marry and, when Theißen dies a few years later in an accident, Anne Marie inherits his entire fortune. She crosses paths with the Baron once again. She also meets Mälzer again, who has found work in the company. Despite all her money, however, Anne Marie does not come to a happy end. Eventually abandoned by all around her, she cries out, proud and embittered, "Go away, all of you, I still have the power of money!"
Adapted from sources presented on this website, with additional information from:
Michael Wedel, 'Kolportage, Kitsch und Können : das Kino des Richard Eichberg', Berlin: CineGraph Babelsberg, 2007
Screenplay: William Merkel, Arthur Teuber.
Director of Photography: Joe Rive.
Set Design: Willi A. Herrmann.
Cast: Gustav Birkholz, Miss. Funk, Felix Hecht, Wilhelm Kaiser-Heyl, Marga Köhler, Bela Lugosi, Violette Napierska [aka Violetta Napierska], Lee Parry, Reinhold Pasch, Alfred Schmasow, Robert Scholz.
Production Company: Eichberg-Film GmbH, Berlin.
Producer: Richard Eichberg.
Distributor: Central-Film-Vertriebs GmbH, Berlin.
Length: 5 acts, 1827 m (before censorship), 1815 m (after censorship).
Format: 35 mm, 1:1.33.
Picture/Sound: b/w, silent.
Censorship Details: 15 July 1920, B.00106, ban for young people.
Première: 17 Sept 1920, Berlin (Schauburg).
