Ernst Lubitsch January 29 1892 November 30 1947 was a German film director producer writer and actor His urbane comedies of manners gave him the reputation of being Hollywoods most elegant and sophisticated director as his prestige grew his films were promoted as having the Lubitsch touch Lubitsch is best known for screwball comedies and romantic comedies such as Trouble in Paradise 1932 Ninotchka 1939 The Shop Around the Corner 1940 and To Be or Not to Be 1942 While being escapist his films often offer social commentary on human relationships and society in a satirical way Andrew Sarris in his influential book of film criticism The American Cinema Directors and Directions 19291968 included him in the pantheon of the 14 greatest film directors who had worked in the United States
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