| Liliom | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Liliom_1934_poster.jpg) French theatrical film poster | |
| Directed by | Fritz Lang |
| Written by | Robert Liebmann (adaptation) Bernard Zimmer (dialogue) |
| Based on | Liliom by Ferenc Molnár |
| Produced by | Erich Pommer |
| Starring | Charles Boyer |
| Cinematography | Rudolph Maté Louis Nee |
| Music by | Jean Lenoir Franz Waxman |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Fox Film Corporation |
Release date |
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Running time | 116 minutes |
| Country | France |
| Language | French |
Liliom is a 1934 French fantasy film directed by Fritz Lang based on the 1909 Hungarian stage play of the same title by Ferenc Molnár. The film stars Charles Boyer as Liliom, a carousel barker who is fired from his job after defending the chambermaid Julie (Madeleine Ozeray) from the jealousy of Mme. Muscat, the carousel owner who is infatuated with Liliom. He moves in with Julie and they begin an affair. When Liliom discovers he's about to become a father, he finds he needs money and participates in a robbery which goes awry. Rather than allow himself to be arrested, Liliom kills himself and his soul is transported to a waiting room of Heaven. A heavenly commissioner determines that Liliom will not be admitted into Heaven, only Purgatory, until he returns to Earth to do one good deed.
Liliom was one of the two first French productions by producer Erich Pommer for Fox-Europa and director Fritz Lang's only French film. On the film's release it was protested by the French Catholic clergy and was generally not well received by French film critics or playwright Ferenc Molnár. Despite the reception, the 1934 Liliom was one of Lang's favorites out of all his films.