JOSEF VON STERNBERG (personality)

Josef von Sternberg (born Jonas Sternberg) was an Austrian writer and director from the 1920s to the 1950s. His family moved to New York City when he was young. He idolized Erich von Stroheim (and added a "von" to his name, and Europeanized the spelling of his first name, in tribute to his idol), and made many wonderful movies, including several with Marlene Dietrich, who he pretty much "discovered", and was integral in making her into a superstar. Some of his films include: Blue Angel, Shanghai Express (nominated for the Best Director Academy Award for this film), Morocco (nominated for the Best Director Academy Award for this film), and The Scarlet Empress. He passed away in 1969 at the age of 75.