''Madness'' (German:''Wahnsinn'') is a 1919

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

silent

horror film Horror is a film genre that seeks to elicit fear or disgust in its audience for entertainment purposes. Horror films often explore dark subject matter and may deal with transgressive topics or themes. Broad elements include monsters, apoca ...

directed by

Conrad Veidt Hans Walter Conrad Veidt (; 22 January 1893 – 3 April 1943) was a German film actor who attracted early attention for his roles in the films ''Different from the Others'' (1919), '' The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari'' (1920), and ''The Man Who Laugh ...

and starring Veidt,

Reinhold Schünzel Reinhold Schünzel (7 November 1888 – 11 November 1954) was a German actor and director, active in both Germany and the United States. The son of a German father and a Jewish mother, he was born in St. Pauli, the poorest part of Hamburg. Despite ...

and

Grit Hegesa Grit Hegesa (31 December 1891 – 17 January 1972) was a German dancer and silent film actress. She appeared in seventeen films, including Ewald André Dupont's ''Whitechapel''.Prawer p.141 She was born Caroline Margaretha Schmidt. Selected filmo ...

. The film's

art direction Art director is the title for a variety of similar job functions in theater, advertising, marketing, publishing, fashion, film and television, the Internet, and video games. It is the charge of a sole art director to supervise and unify the visi ...

was by

Willi Herrmann Willi Herrmann (1893–1968) was a German art director. Selected filmography * '' Madness'' (1919) * '' Child on the Open Road'' (1919) * '' Jettatore'' (1919) * ''Humanity Unleashed'' (1920) * '' The Secrets of Berlin'' (1921) * ''The Maharaja ...

. After becoming a successful actor, Veidt formed his own production company called Veidtfilme and decided to try his hand at directing movies. ''Madness'' was one of two films directed by Veidt during his career, the other being the 1920 ''Die Nacht auf Goldenhall''. Both films are lost today. The films had little impact at the box office. After 1920, Veidt returned exclusively to acting. The screenplay of ''Madness'' was adapted from an obscure novel written by Kurt Muenzer.Workman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 209..

Plot

A wealthy banker (Veidt) is given a key to a lost trunk by a Gypsy, who tells him that the trunk's contents will lead him either to happiness or death. He becomes obsessed with finding the trunk, and his vain search leads him to a mental breakdown.

Cast

as Bankier Lorenzen *

as Jörges *

as Marion Cavello *

Gussy Holl Auguste Marie Christine Holl (22 February 1888 – 16 July 1966) was a German actress and singer. Holl was briefly a silent film star during the early Weimar Republic, appearing in productions such as F. W. Murnau's ''Desire'' (1921). As of 2021 ...

as Mädchen aus dem Althändler Laden

References

Bibliography

* Hutchings, Peter. ''The A to Z of Horror Cinema''. Scarecrow Press, 2009.

External links

* 1919 films 1919 horror films Lost German films Films of the Weimar Republic German silent feature films German horror films Films directed by Conrad Veidt German black-and-white films Silent horror films 1910s German films {{1910s-horror-film-stub