It is important to note that there were two versions of this film produced: an English-language version filmed concurrently alongside the original German version. Both share a very similar narrative, though they have slight variations. The summary below is primarily grounded in the original German adaptation.
The film begins with the cacophony of a bustling marketplace, where a woman cleaning a shop window finds herself mimicking the pose of Lola, played by Marlene Dietrich, as she views a poster of her. We then transition to a door marked "Prof. Rath," introducing Professor Immanuel Rath, portrayed by Emil Jannings, who is meticulously preparing for his class. As the bell tolls, boys race to class, while the housekeeper tidies up the space, reminding the Professor about breakfast. A poignant moment occurs when he discovers his pet bird has passed away, a loss that is dismissively handled by the caretaker with a blunt remark: “Anyway, he stopped singing long ago.”
In the classroom, we see mischievous boys with one, Angst, played by Rolf Muller, particularly nervous as he is caught trying to deface the Professor's notebook. The Professor, meanwhile, leads the lesson with a famous passage from Hamlet, attempting to correct his students' pronunciation before growing frustrated and assigning them a paper on Julius Caesar. Throughout these encounters, the intrigue surrounding Lola intensifies, especially when the Professor seizes a postcard featuring her, warning there will be consequences.
As the class concludes, the troublemakers lie in wait for Angst, tripping him and revealing his Lola postcards, which causes further tension between him and the Professor. This ultimately leads to the Professor's newfound curiosity about The Blue Angel, a cabaret where Lola performs. Unbeknownst to him, this club will dramatically alter his life.
In vivid scenes, Lola's first performance captivates Prof. Rath as she sings about her desires for a "real man." Their paths intertwine when they meet backstage; Lola's playful seduction of the Professor begins in earnest, leading to humorous yet charged encounters that illustrate his gradual downfall.
As the narrative unfolds, Lola's intentions become clearer as she toys with the Professor's affections, ultimately leading to a relationship filled with intoxication and heartache. The Professor becomes increasingly enamored, culminating in a marriage proposal that draws laughter from Lola, but from a genuine connection, they wed amidst the laughter of their troupe.
However, their initial bliss soon turns sour. The Professor struggles to maintain his former authority, as depicted through a growing collection of postcards that symbolize his deteriorating status within the troupe. He faces an existential crisis, mirroring the mournful clown from earlier.
A pivotal moment is presented as the group arrives in the Professor's hometown, where he is humiliated on stage by the Magician, primarily for the amusement of the others. The once-respected professor is reduced to a mere clown, ultimately leading to a mental breakdown as jealousy overtakes him during a performance when Lola’s affections waver towards others.
As the climax approaches, he leaves the spectacle behind, finding himself back at his former school, desperately clinging to the past as he recalls the echoes of his former life. In this heart-wrenching finale, the heartbreaking sight of the solitary Professor grasping his desk amidst the ringing bells serves as a poignant reminder of lost dreams and shattered identity.
Ende.
