Golem, The

810. THE GOLEM (1920-GERMANY). WITH Paul Wegener, Albert Steinruck, Ernst Deutsch, Lyda Salmonava. Co-directed and screenplay written by Paul Wegener. A film based on ancient Jewish mystiÂcisms. The Legend of “the Golem” is also well known to science fiction historians as one of the first (if not the first) stories about Robotics. In an impoverished East European Ghetto, the Jews are once more to be the victim of a Pogram (religious persecution by the State). Fore-seeing a time of misfortune for his people, a learned Rabbi decides his people can be saved only by a “Golem”Ña man-made creature brought to life by a magic word placed in an amulet on his chest. Summoning the demon “Astaroth”, the Golem is brought to life. StartÂing to chop wood and draw water, the Golem eventually is brought before the Emperor where he indeed saves the Jews from the Pogram. The ultimate fate of the creature-made-by-man is well told cinematically. The sets are similar to the more famous “Cabinet of Dr. Caligari”, impressionistic, creative and indeed, worth watching for themselves. Wegener (who portrays the Golem) married his leading lady, Lyda Salmonava. (She was one of his 5 wives.) This film was the third time Wegener filmed the legend of “the Golem.” The parallels with Frankenstein are many, but in addition, “the Golem” teaches us a lesson before returning to lifeless clay. Silent film with music score, correct projection speed. 118 minutes. ÒSilentÓ Science Fiction