Cabaret

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Cabaret
Originally put together by Mr. Ian Kilcoyne
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What is a cabaret? A cabaret is a floorshow
that is designed to entertain customers within a
nightclub, or restaurant. These were particularly
popular within France and Germany during the
1920s. A floorshow is a series of
entertainments (acts) presented within a nightclub
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Hitler and many leading Nazis believed such forms
of entertainment to be decadent, especially as
many cabarets included scantily clad ladies and a
good deal of alcoholic drink. The capital of
Germany, Berlin, was famous for its nightlife
with many shows becoming well known for their
risque (suggestive, bordering on being rude)
songs and suggestive dancing. This film centres
around one of these cabarets, but the clip that
you are going to watch acts as a contrast to that
seedy, and Hitler would say, debauched world that
many Germans had let themselves fall into.
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1) Watch the film clip all the way through
first.2) Watch the clip again carefully. Your
teacher will pause the DVD, or video, to allow
you to discuss what you have seen. You may like
to use your own knowledge of Weimar and Nazi
Germany when answering the questions.
1. Why do you think the Nazis would chose
that particular boy to sing the song?
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2. Comment on the song How does it start?
What words are used? What is the title? What
sort of song does it seem to be at first?
How does the song change?
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The sun on the meadow is summery warm.The stag
in the forest runs free.But gather together to
greet the storm.Tomorrow belongs to me.
The branch of the linden is leafy and green,The
Rhine gives its gold to the sea.But somewhere a
glory awaits unseen.Tomorrow belongs to me.
The babe in his cradle is closing his eyesThe
blossom embraces the bee.But soon, says a
whisperArise, arise,Tomorrow belongs to me.
Click your left hand mouse button to reveal each
verse.
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Oh Fatherland, Fatherland,Show us the signYour
children have waited to see.The morning will
comeWhen the world is mine.Tomorrow belongs to
me!
Oh Fatherland, Fatherland,Show us the signYour
children have waited to see.The morning will
comeWhen the world is mine.Tomorrow belongs to
me!
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3. What effect does the song have on Most of
the people in the café? The Englishman?
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4. Why do you think the old man stays seated?
Why does he appear to get unhappier
the longer the song goes on?
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The Evidence The clip that you have seen comes
from a Hollywood film. The film is very loosely
based upon the true story of a young Englishman
called Christopher Isherwood who lived in Germany
in the 1930s.
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Christopher Isherwood wrote a book about his
experience called Goodbye to Berlin 5. The
film clip shows an incident that never actually
happened. Therefore it is of no use as evidence
about the rise of the Nazi Party.Explain
carefully whether you agree or disagree with this
statement.
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Extension Question
6. The full name of the Nazi Party was the
National Socialist German Workers Party. How
does this film clip show and help to explain why
so many different Germans supported the Nazi
Party in the 1930s?
END