An aging doorman is forced to face the scorn of his friends, neighbors and society after being fired from his prestigious job at a luxurious hotel.An aging doorman is forced to face the scorn of his friends, neighbors and society after being fired from his prestigious job at a luxurious hotel.An aging doorman is forced to face the scorn of his friends, neighbors and society after being fired from his prestigious job at a luxurious hotel.
- Awards
- 2 wins
O.E. Hasse
- Small Role
- (uncredited)
Harald Madsen
- Wedding Musician
- (uncredited)
Neumann-Schüler
- Small Role
- (uncredited)
Carl Schenstrøm
- Wedding Musician
- (uncredited)
Erich Schönfelder
- Small role
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe first "dolly" (a device that allows a camera to move during a shot) was created for this film. According to Edgar G. Ulmer, who worked on the film, the idea to make the first dolly came from the desire to focus on Emil Jannings' face during the first shot of the movie, as he moved through the hotel. They obviously didn't know how to make a dolly technically, so they created the first one out of a baby's carriage. They then pulled the carriage on a sort of railway that was built in the studio.
- GoofsWhen the porter comes home with the stolen coat, the third button down (which fell off earlier) is still there until a close-up of him at the door.
- Alternate versionsThere is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, re-edited in double version (1.33:1 and 1.78:1) with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Mortelle randonnée (1983)
Featured review
Masterful
Der Letzte Mann is nothing short of the epitome of viewing pleasure. Beautifully shot, the urban landscape in which a noble doorman earns his keep (and humanity) is throughout dream-like, infused with a decidedly ethereal quality. Added to a magical visual backdrop is a haunting musical score, highlighted by sweeping cello chords which cut straight to the heart. With regard to prominent themes, the picture speaks volumes about the fragility of human existence and, specifically, human dignity. The shallow and arbitrary nature of a society bent predominantly on the acquisition and elevation of pecuniary wealth, as well as the perseverance of the individual through it all, is illustrated masterfully through both the zenith and nadir of the doorman's existence, as documented in this truly excellent work of the interwar period.
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- The Last Laugh
- Filming locations
- UFA Studios, Berlin, Germany(Studio)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $94,812
- Runtime1 hour 28 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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