Rouben Mamoulian

Rouben Zachary Mamoulian (October 8, 1897 – December 4, 1987) was an Armenian-American film and theatre director. In the interview compilation book Directing the Film (Acrobat Books), Mamoulian declared a strong preference for a stylized look to his scenes, stating that he was more interested in creating a poetic look to his films than in showing ordinary realism. Parts of Becky Sharp, and almost the whole of Blood and Sand, with their heightened and artificial use of Technicolor, demonstrate what Mamoulian meant by this. He also wrote a book called Applause.

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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)

Dr. Henry Jekyll believes that there are two distinct sides to men - a good and an evil side. He believes that by separating the two, man can become liberated. He succeeds in his experiments with chemicals to accomplish this and transforms into Hyde to commit ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Fredric March  •  Miriam Hopkins  •  Rose Hobart  •  Holmes Herbert

Dr. Henry Jekyll believes that there are two distinct sides to men - a good and an evil side. He believes that by separating the two, man can become liberated. He succeeds in his experiments with chemicals to accomplish this and transforms into Hyde to commit ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Fredric March  •  Miriam Hopkins  •  Rose Hobart  •  Holmes Herbert

Love Me Tonight (1932)

A Parisian tailor finds himself posing as a baron in order to collect a sizeable bill from an aristocrat, only to fall in love with an aloof young princess.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Maurice Chevalier  •  Jeanette MacDonald  •  Charles Ruggles  •  Charles Butterworth

A Parisian tailor finds himself posing as a baron in order to collect a sizeable bill from an aristocrat, only to fall in love with an aloof young princess.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Maurice Chevalier  •  Jeanette MacDonald  •  Charles Ruggles  •  Charles Butterworth

The Mark of Zorro (1940)

Around 1820 the son of a California nobleman comes home from Spain to find his native land under a villainous dictatorship. On the one hand he plays the useless fop, while on the other he is the masked avenger Zorro.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Tyrone Power  •  Linda Darnell  •  Basil Rathbone  •  Gale Sondergaard

Around 1820 the son of a California nobleman comes home from Spain to find his native land under a villainous dictatorship. On the one hand he plays the useless fop, while on the other he is the masked avenger Zorro.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Tyrone Power  •  Linda Darnell  •  Basil Rathbone  •  Gale Sondergaard

Becky Sharp (1935)

The first feature length film to use three-strip Technicolor film. Adapted from a play that was adapted from William Makepeace Thackeray's book "Vanity Fair", the film looks at the English class system during the Napoleonic Wars era.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Miriam Hopkins  •  Frances Dee  •  Cedric Hardwicke  •  Billie Burke

The first feature length film to use three-strip Technicolor film. Adapted from a play that was adapted from William Makepeace Thackeray's book "Vanity Fair", the film looks at the English class system during the Napoleonic Wars era.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Miriam Hopkins  •  Frances Dee  •  Cedric Hardwicke  •  Billie Burke

Queen Christina (1933)

Queen Christina of Sweden is a popular monarch who is loyal to her country. However, when she falls in love with a Spanish envoy, she must choose between the throne and the man she loves.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Greta Garbo  •  John Gilbert  •  Ian Keith  •  Lewis Stone

Queen Christina of Sweden is a popular monarch who is loyal to her country. However, when she falls in love with a Spanish envoy, she must choose between the throne and the man she loves.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Greta Garbo  •  John Gilbert  •  Ian Keith  •  Lewis Stone

George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey (1985)

Biography of the legendary filmmaker directed by his son.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Stevens Jr.
CAST:  Fred Astaire  •  Rock Hudson  •  Hermes Pan  •  Warren Beatty

Biography of the legendary filmmaker directed by his son.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Stevens Jr.
CAST:  Fred Astaire  •  Rock Hudson  •  Hermes Pan  •  Warren Beatty

High, Wide and Handsome (1937)

The setting is a small town in 1870s Pennsylvania. Sally Waterson and her father have stopped in town with their traveling medicine show, but when their wagon catches fire, they find themselves stranded. They're taken in by Mrs. Cortlandt and her grandson, Peter, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Irene Dunne  •  Randolph Scott  •  Dorothy Lamour  •  Elizabeth Patterson

The setting is a small town in 1870s Pennsylvania. Sally Waterson and her father have stopped in town with their traveling medicine show, but when their wagon catches fire, they find themselves stranded. They're taken in by Mrs. Cortlandt and her grandson, Peter, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Irene Dunne  •  Randolph Scott  •  Dorothy Lamour  •  Elizabeth Patterson

The Gay Desperado (1936)

Opera singer Chivo is currently playing a singing cowboy, and Mexican bandito Braganza kidnaps him (along with Jane, an heiress) so he can learn to become more like the American movie gangsters he admires.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Nino Martini  •  Ida Lupino  •  Leo Carrillo  •  Harold Huber

Opera singer Chivo is currently playing a singing cowboy, and Mexican bandito Braganza kidnaps him (along with Jane, an heiress) so he can learn to become more like the American movie gangsters he admires.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Nino Martini  •  Ida Lupino  •  Leo Carrillo  •  Harold Huber

Blood and Sand (1941)

Bullfighter Juan Gallardo falls for socialite Dona Sol, turning from the faithful Carmen who nevertheless stands by her man as he continues to face real danger in the bullring.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Tyrone Power  •  Linda Darnell  •  Rita Hayworth  •  Alla Nazimova

Bullfighter Juan Gallardo falls for socialite Dona Sol, turning from the faithful Carmen who nevertheless stands by her man as he continues to face real danger in the bullring.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Tyrone Power  •  Linda Darnell  •  Rita Hayworth  •  Alla Nazimova

The Song of Songs (1933)

After her father dies, Lily moves to the city to live with her strict aunt. During the day Lily works in her aunt's bookstore, and at night she sneaks across the street to model for Richard, a sculptor with whom she falls in love. A patron of Richard's, Baron von ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Marlene Dietrich  •  Brian Aherne  •  Lionel Atwill  •  Alison Skipworth

After her father dies, Lily moves to the city to live with her strict aunt. During the day Lily works in her aunt's bookstore, and at night she sneaks across the street to model for Richard, a sculptor with whom she falls in love. A patron of Richard's, Baron von ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Marlene Dietrich  •  Brian Aherne  •  Lionel Atwill  •  Alison Skipworth

We Live Again (1934)

Nekhludoff, a Russian nobleman serving on a jury, discovers that the young girl on trial, Katusha, is someone he once seduced and abandoned and that he himself bears responsibility for reducing her to crime. He sets out to redeem her and himself in the process.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Anna Sten  •  Fredric March  •  Jane Baxter  •  C. Aubrey Smith

Nekhludoff, a Russian nobleman serving on a jury, discovers that the young girl on trial, Katusha, is someone he once seduced and abandoned and that he himself bears responsibility for reducing her to crime. He sets out to redeem her and himself in the process.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Anna Sten  •  Fredric March  •  Jane Baxter  •  C. Aubrey Smith

Rings on Her Fingers (1942)

Susan Miller works behind the girdle counter in a department store and dreams about the beautiful clothes and glamour she can never hope to have. Enter May Worthington and Warren, a pair of con artists who pose as the mother and uncle of a pretty girl in order to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Henry Fonda  •  Gene Tierney  •  Spring Byington  •  Laird Cregar

Susan Miller works behind the girdle counter in a department store and dreams about the beautiful clothes and glamour she can never hope to have. Enter May Worthington and Warren, a pair of con artists who pose as the mother and uncle of a pretty girl in order to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Henry Fonda  •  Gene Tierney  •  Spring Byington  •  Laird Cregar

Summer Holiday (1948)

Danville, Connecticut at the turn of the century. Young Richard Miller lives in a middle-class neighborhood with his family. He is in love with the girl next-door, Muriel, but her father isn't too happy with their puppy-love, since Richard always share his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Mickey Rooney  •  Gloria DeHaven  •  Walter Huston  •  Frank Morgan

Danville, Connecticut at the turn of the century. Young Richard Miller lives in a middle-class neighborhood with his family. He is in love with the girl next-door, Muriel, but her father isn't too happy with their puppy-love, since Richard always share his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Mickey Rooney  •  Gloria DeHaven  •  Walter Huston  •  Frank Morgan

Silk Stockings (1957)

After three bumbling Soviet agents fail in their mission to retrieve a straying Soviet composer from Paris, the beautiful, ultra-serious Ninotchka is sent to complete their mission and to retrieve them. She starts out condemning the decadent West, but gradually ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Fred Astaire  •  Cyd Charisse  •  Janis Paige  •  Peter Lorre

After three bumbling Soviet agents fail in their mission to retrieve a straying Soviet composer from Paris, the beautiful, ultra-serious Ninotchka is sent to complete their mission and to retrieve them. She starts out condemning the decadent West, but gradually ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Fred Astaire  •  Cyd Charisse  •  Janis Paige  •  Peter Lorre

Applause (1929)

This early example of the "backstage" musical genre tells the story of Kitty Darling, a fading burlesque star who tries to save her convent-educated daughter April from following in Mom's footsteps.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Helen Morgan  •  Joan Peers  •  Fuller Mellish Jr.  •  Jack Cameron

This early example of the "backstage" musical genre tells the story of Kitty Darling, a fading burlesque star who tries to save her convent-educated daughter April from following in Mom's footsteps.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Helen Morgan  •  Joan Peers  •  Fuller Mellish Jr.  •  Jack Cameron

Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood (2001)

Documentary about the making of 20th Century Fox's 1963 film "Cleopatra," then the most expensive film of all time.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kevin Burns  •  Brent Zacky
CAST:  Keith Baxter  •  Stephen Boyd  •  Jack Brodsky  •  David Brown

Documentary about the making of 20th Century Fox's 1963 film "Cleopatra," then the most expensive film of all time.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kevin Burns  •  Brent Zacky
CAST:  Keith Baxter  •  Stephen Boyd  •  Jack Brodsky  •  David Brown

The Horror of It All (1983)

A collection of film clips from horror movies and interviews with the actors and directors who made them.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gene Feldman  •  Suzette Winter
CAST:  José Ferrer  •  Dana Andrews  •  Martine Beswick  •  Robert Bloch

A collection of film clips from horror movies and interviews with the actors and directors who made them.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gene Feldman  •  Suzette Winter
CAST:  José Ferrer  •  Dana Andrews  •  Martine Beswick  •  Robert Bloch

Golden Boy (1939)

Despite his talent as a musician, a city boy decides to become a boxer. He's successful as a fighter — much to the dismay of his parents. When gangsters try to by a piece of him, he begins to have second thoughts.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Barbara Stanwyck  •  Adolphe Menjou  •  William Holden  •  Lee J. Cobb

Despite his talent as a musician, a city boy decides to become a boxer. He's successful as a fighter — much to the dismay of his parents. When gangsters try to by a piece of him, he begins to have second thoughts.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Barbara Stanwyck  •  Adolphe Menjou  •  William Holden  •  Lee J. Cobb

Garbo (1969)

Joan Crawford narrates this documentary about the career of Greta Garbo.  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Joan Crawford  •  George Cukor  •  Rouben Mamoulian  •  Greta Garbo

Joan Crawford narrates this documentary about the career of Greta Garbo.  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Joan Crawford  •  George Cukor  •  Rouben Mamoulian  •  Greta Garbo

City Streets (1931)

A mobster's daughter leads her boyfriend from the circus into bootlegging.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Gary Cooper  •  Sylvia Sidney  •  Paul Lukas  •  William 'Stage' Boyd

A mobster's daughter leads her boyfriend from the circus into bootlegging.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rouben Mamoulian
CAST:  Gary Cooper  •  Sylvia Sidney  •  Paul Lukas  •  William 'Stage' Boyd
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