Directed by William Dieterle
Screenplay by Norman Reilly Raine; Story and Screenplay by Heinz Herald and Geza Herczeg; based upon the book by Matthew Josephson
Starring Paul Muni, Gloria Holden, Gale Sondergaard and Joseph Schildkraut
The Life of Emile Zola is really two movies in one.
The first is a 25 minute seminar of a film, focusing on the professional life of writer Emile Zola. It begins with him dirt poor in Paris, proceeds through a whirlwind medley of his greatest hits – books are published, a wife is married, fame is gotten – then settles with him into state of retirement and living off his wealth. Continue reading