Question 1

What criticism did Christopher Isherwood and his friends have about the film's depiction of 1930s Berlin?

Accepted Answer

They criticized it for glamorizing the era and ignoring the crushing poverty, with Stephen Spender noting they couldn't afford the meals or clubs shown, and W.H. Auden saying it glossed over dire historical reality.

Question 2

How did the film perform at the Academy Awards, and what record does it hold?

Accepted Answer

It won 8 Oscars but lost Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay to The Godfather, and as of 2022, it holds the record for most Oscars won without winning Best Picture.

Question 3

What was the real-life inspiration for the character Sally Bowles, and what did she do after leaving Berlin?

Accepted Answer

Sally Bowles was based on Jean Ross, a cabaret singer and aspiring actress. After Berlin, she became a devout Stalinist, served as a war correspondent in the Spanish Civil War, and had many sexual partners.

Question 4

What controversy surrounded the song 'Tomorrow Belongs to Me' from the film?

Accepted Answer

Written by John Kander and Fred Ebb in a traditional German style, it has been mistaken for a genuine Nazi anthem, leading to false accusations of antisemitism against the Jewish songwriters.

Question 5

What did Christopher Isherwood think about Liza Minnelli's casting as Sally Bowles?

Accepted Answer

Isherwood described Liza Minnelli as 'utterly wrong for the part,' and producer Harold Prince agreed, noting Sally shouldn't sing well, creating a casting dilemma.

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