One of the greatest film directors of the silent era who died in a road accident at the age of forty-three. Many of his early, German-made films have been lost, but three that have survived are considered cinematic milestones: 1922's Nosferatu ; 1924’s The Last Laugh; and Faust (1926), an elaborate, atmospheric adaptation of Goethe's work. Murnau's German successes attracted the attention of Hollywood, where technical innovation flourished and studio heads studied German expressionist cinema; his first film there, the classic Sunrise, starring Janet Gaynor and George O'Brien, proved a huge success and won several Academy Awards at the first Oscar ceremony. 1928’s Four Devils and 1930’s City Girl followed, and were similarly innovative but weren’t box office successes. Vintage sepia matte-finish 9.25 x 7.75 4 Devils cast photo affixed to a larger, irregularly cut card, signed and inscribed in fountain pen “To Charlotte, with fond remembrances from The 4 Devils ‘Gang’ F.W. Murnau.” The card is also signed by cast members Janet Gaynor, Barry Norton, Ernie Palmer, Charles Palmer, Mary Duncan, Nancy Drexel and other cast and crew members. The photo is affixed to the card and the item is framed to an overall size of 17 x 14. In good condition, with irregular trimmed card where signatures appear, creasing, with creasing affecting a few of the signatures, edge chipping to the left border affecting a couple of signatures, minor creasing and a bit of silvering to the photo. A GREAT image. R&R COA.
