The Song of Songs

The Song of Songs

Year: 1933

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: Rouben Mamoulian

DramaRomance

After her father’s death, Lily moves to the city to live with her strict aunt. By day she works in the aunt’s bookstore; by night she slips across the street to pose for Richard, a sculptor, and they fall deeply in love. Meanwhile, Baron von Merzbach, a patron of Richard, becomes fascinated with Lily, harboring motives that are far from pure.

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Timeline & Setting – The Song of Songs (1933)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Song of Songs (1933). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Berlin, Baron's estate, Richard's atelier, Berlin cabaret, Mrs. Rasmussen's bookshop

The story unfolds across Berlin and its environs, from a modest bookshop where Lily begins her life to the Baron's lavish estate and the artist's intimate studio. It moves through Berlin's cabaret scene, exposing a city alive with art, desire, and danger. The settings underscore a clash between innocence and exploitation within urban life.

🗺️ City setting 🏰 Aristocracy 🎨 Art scene 🎭 Nightlife

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:35

Main Characters – The Song of Songs (1933)

Meet the key characters of The Song of Songs (1933), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Lily Czepanek (Marlene Dietrich)

An innocent peasant girl who enters a world of art and wealth, Lily is initially gentle and open-hearted. Her awakening through nude posing exposes her sexuality and resilience, yet she is susceptible to manipulation by those who seek to control her. Over the course of the story she moves from naivety to a more complex, self-determined stance, ending in a genuine, if complicated, partnership with Richard.

🌸 Naivety 💃 Awakening 💔 Heartbreak

Richard Waldow (Brian Aherne)

A penniless artist who loves Lily but struggles with practicalities, Richard is at once compassionate and wary of letting emotion override reality. He hesitates to fully commit, then acts with remorse and care, inviting Lily back to his studio. His sculpture of Lily becomes a touchstone for their reconciliation and the film's meditation on art, love, and responsibility.

🎨 Artist 💬 Self-doubt 🕊️ Compassion

Baron von Merzbach (Lionel Atwill)

A wealthy aristocrat who views Lily as a possession and a means to maintain influence. He schemes to lure Lily away from her aunt and uses money to buy legitimacy in her life. His vanity collapses when his desires clash with Lily's will to define her own path.

🏰 Aristocrat 💰 Wealth 🪤 Manipulator

Mme Rasmussen (Alison Skipworth)

Lily's aunt and owner of a bookshop, she treats Lily more as a means to financial gain than as family. Her practical, money-driven decisions spur Lily's descent into the Baron's orbit and later set the stage for her disillusionment and pursuit of independence.

👩‍💼 Family dynamics 💸 Materialism 💼 Ambition

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:35

Major Themes – The Song of Songs (1933)

Explore the central themes of The Song of Songs (1933), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💖 Love Illusion

Lily's early love for Richard is tender but naive, and the Baron's pursuit reveals how affection can be reshaped by money and status. The relationships test loyalty, resilience, and the cost of chasing romance in a world ruled by wealth. The film traces her shift from innocence toward a more self-determined stance, culminating in a hopeful if uneasy reconciliation.

💼 Wealth Power

Wealth and patronage drive the plot, with the Baron using money to control Lily and secure influence. The aunt's cash bargain and the Baron's estate expose how economic advantage dictates choices and fates. The narrative critiques class dynamics and the commodification of intimacy, while characters struggle with motives and temptations.

🎭 Art Identity

Richard's sculpture and Lily's cabaret transformation frame the tension between art and reality. The statue Lily posed for becomes a symbol of innocence, then shatters as she confronts harsh truths. Their reconciliation suggests a mature bond rooted in shared art and experience.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:35

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Unlock the Full Story of The Song of Songs

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Song of Songs in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Song of Songs is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Song of Songs Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Song of Songs, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Song of Songs Summary

The Song of Songs Timeline

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The Song of Songs Timeline

More About The Song of Songs

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More About The Song of Songs

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