ALRAUNE
Germany 1929, Director: Richard Oswald
Cast: Brigitte Helm, Albert Bassermann, Harald Paulsen
Alraune is the first sound film adaptation of the novel by Hanns Heinz Ewers, starring Brigitte Helm. The artificial insemination of a prostitute with the sperm of a hanged murderer produces the girl Alraune, whom the unscrupulous scientist ten Brinken raises as his niece. As she grows into a beautiful young woman, she becomes a man-corrupting vamp, driving her “producer” mad with love. Eventually, Alraune falls in love with ten Brinken’s nephew Frank, who has just returned from Africa. He returns her love and Alraune’s curse seems to be broken. But when she learns of her true origins, she commits suicide.
