Francis Lederer, debonair character actor with a continental charm

This November and December, CineClub celebrates the long and colourful life and acting career of Francis Lederer (1899–2000). Asked what his secret is, he replied: the secret to longevity is to live a long life – a quote that captures his much-loved wit and humour brilliantly.

Born to a Jewish family in Prague during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Lederer established a career in early European Cinema before emigrating to the USA in 1931 where he chose to stay following the rise of Nazi Germay and where he would remain until his death in 2000. Labelled the German speaking Maurice Chevalier, Lederer's international career spanned from the silent era well into the 1970s and our selection of four films aims to illustrate this.

Our mini season also comprises a talk and introduction by film historians Brigitte Mayr and Michael Omasta of Synema Vienna who have researched and written extensively about this suave man.

On Thursday 21 November 2024 we're screening

MAMAN COLIBRI (Mother Hummingbird)

France 1929, silent, 119min, French inter-titles with English sub-titles directed by Julien Duvivier

Neglected by her husband, Baroness Irene de Rysbergue (Maria Jacobini) falls in love with her son's officer friend Georges de Chambry (Francis Lederer) and soon their adulterous romance sets them on to a journey away from bourgeois life.

Full Season Programme
Click on the film titles for more info and to book tickets

MAMAN COLIBRI
Thursday 21 November 7PM

TALK, A FILMED CONVERSATION & CONFESSIONS OF A NAZI SPY
Thursday 28 November 7PM

ABENTEUER IN WIEN
Tuesday 3 Dezember 7PM

THE RETURN OF DRACULA
Wednesday 11 Dezember 7PM