C-3PO’s mother is named Maria.
Well, so to speak. Actually, her name might be Hel; or, if you’re a purist, it might be named Maschinenmensch, the “machine-man.”
What I’m talking about is the robot from Fritz Lang’s masterpiece movie, Metropolis. Ill received at the time of its release, Metropolis is today considered one of the finest silent films ever produced. Its special effects, skyscape and themes have influenced filmmakers and authors to this day, better than eighty years since it premiered in Berlin. As for the robot created by the evil scientist-philosopher Rotwang, George Lucas admits the influence of the costume on the design for Threeepio in the Star Wars series — though Anthony Daniels’ costume was much more flexible than that worn so painfully by Brigitte Helm.
A still of Hel in Metropolis. Director Lang insisted on Brigitte Helm, the actress who played Maria, to do all the work in the armor, though it was unnecessary for practical purposes. A story goes that people on the set took pity on the 17-year-old actress and dropped coins into open slots in the armor, which Helm would use to purchase chocolate at the studio canteen.
The second is one of the international posters for the film, printed with no text besides the name of the movie and the logo of UFA, or Universum Film AG, so it could be used without translation wherever the film was exhibited. This is one of the most famous posters in movie history, according to one source, and one of the most desirable collector’s items in science fiction. Harper’s Fine Art and Photographs has been lucky to find a source for this piece of German Expressionist-Art Deco style, and is offering it exclusively at our Desire store for only L$200.
