Silent Cinema Salon

Your portal to the silent film era.

I Kiss Your Hand, Madame with live piano by Philip Carli

Marlene Dietrich kisses the hands of two gentlemen at once

I Kiss Your Hand, Madame was filmed in Germany (as Ich küsse Ihre Hand, Madame) in 1928, released  in 1929 – so late in the silent period that it was not silent. While the filming was done as usual (for the time) and the screenplay is still titles, not recorded conversation, the film was released with a music and effects track. And like with so many of the first sound films, that music track has a special connection with the film. In this case it is the wildly popular song (which will also be featured in Dr. Carli’s improvisation) of the same title. The song was written for the film, in 1928; the film was created to add flesh to, or at least one interpretation of, the haunting tone of unattainable desire in the lyrics by Fritz Rotter and the music by Ralph Erwin. We decided this would be the perfect film for the New Year holiday.

For a link to the livestream and recording, please subscribe ($5 ticket/$10 subscription with access to all of our films). This is what sustains our series of fascinating lesser-known films with Philip’s wonderful improvised accompaniments and commentary. I will make a final check at noon on Saturday 12/30 for new subscribers and ticket holders who wish to join us live at 2 pm; after the livestream the recording will remain available at the same link.

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