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Heinrich Mann

professor Unrat

For some years in the late 1920s, the five-storey residential block at Ku’damm 60 was the home of Heinrich Mann, brother of Thomas Mann. He was the author of the 1905 novel Professor Unrat which was the basis for the film Der blaue Engel (The Blue Angel), nearly 25 years later.

Heinrich Mann came to Berlin in his twenties. He was a staunch supporter of socialism and the new republic, and a habitué of the literary cafes lining the Ku’damm. He searched for – and found – inspiration for his writing in the slums and brothels of the less salubrious areas of the city.

In the late 1920s, he was romantically involved with cabaret artist Trude Hesterberg when he was first approached by Ufa for the film rights to Professor Unrat. He initially refused the request, but an offer of 25,000 marks, and his assumption that Hesterberg would land the lead role, soon changed his mind.

He was mistaken – the role went to Marlene Dietrich and his original story was dramatically altered for the screenplay. The film, Der blaue Engel (The Blue Angel) was simultaneously released in German and English in April 1930, and would turn Dietrich into an international star.

Mann’s outspoken writing and politics put him squarely at odds with the new regime. His books were among those burned by the Nazis on May 10th 1933, cited as being decadent and ‘against the decency of the family and the state’.

He fled Germany and travelled through France, Spain and Portugal before settling in the US. He died in Santa Monica, California, in 1950.