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How a German Jewish Refugee Became a Master of Film Noir

JL;DR SUMMARY Robert Siodmak, a German Jewish refugee, became a master of film noir after fleeing Nazi Germany and establishing his career in Hollywood. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

HollywoodGerman Jewish RefugeeFilm NoirExpressionismCinematic StyleRobert SiodmakBritish Film InstituteCry Of The CityCrime ThrillerHollywood Studio System

Places mentioned

London, United Kingdom
"In London, the British Film Institute the leading organization for film in the U.K. is running a two-month season dedicated to the renowned German Jewish filmmaker, Robert Siodmak (1900-73)."
New York, United States
"Cry of the City is a riveting, fast-paced tale of law and disorder, shot mainly on location in New Yorks Little Italy neighborhood."
Dresden, Saxony, Germany
"Siodmaks birthplace is a subject of dispute: some critics say he was born in Dresden, others argue it was Memphis, Tennessee, while his parents were on holiday before they returned to Germany."
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
"Siodmaks birthplace is a subject of dispute: some critics say he was born in Dresden, others argue it was Memphis, Tennessee, while his parents were on holiday before they returned to Germany."
Paris, France
"suggests that Siodmaks American birth was a simply a myth, used by him in order to obtain a visa in Paris."
Switzerland
"His name faded and he lived his later years in Switzerland, where he died."

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Retrieved 2025-06-02 05:39:45 UTC
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