Erich Von Stroheim's "Greed"
Greed's Missing Hours
My article on "Greed's" missing pieces.
Greed Reconstructed
The six hour reconstructed version.
Background
On various aspects of the story and film.
Greed Picture Book
Stills and photos from "Greed" and Von Stroheim's career.
Links
Silents, Von Stroheim, Pitts, Norris, San Francisco, et al.
 | Erich von Stroheim's 1924 epic motion picture "GREED" |
Von Stroheim Bids Adieu to Vienna
His father was Frederick von Nordenwald, a major in the Sixth Regiment of Dragoons. His mother was Johanna Bondy, of Czech origin, and she died in 1941. He had a younger brother Brunno who was born in 1887, and the other important family member in his life was his maternal uncle Emil, who was an Imperial Counsellor.
At 12 Erich was enrolled in a boarding school for military cadets. He then attended Mariahilfe Academy and graduated as a second lieutenant in 1902. From 1902 to 1909 he spent his time in Vienna when not on maneuvers.
After Erich graduated in 1902, his brother Brunno accidentially shot a friend while hunting. Brunno and his parents paid for his friend's medical care, but the young man eventually died. They then had to pay lawyers to represent Brunno in court on charges of manslaughter, and though he was acquitted, this incident emptied the family's purse. They turned to Johanna Bondy's wealthy family and Uncle Emil, but the money came with strings attached and pious lectures.
In 1908 Austria-Hungary's Emperor Franz-Josef annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina, bringing Serbia and Montenegro to the brink of war with the Empire. Von Stroheim was with the army in the field for three months staring down the enemy and coming under fire on a few occasions.
In 1909 after the comedy with Serbia was over, Lt. Von Stroheim was back in Vienna broke, but rather than submit to Uncle Emil's control again, Erich went to Vienna's moneylenders. He signed a spurrious paper in exchange for 5000 crowns and then paid off his creditors. The next day the sky fell in.
The lender had gotten the young lieutenant to sign an undated promissory note, which the lender then post dated. The lender then demanded immediate repayment, plus interest, from Erichh's parents, which the family could not afford. To avoid public embarrassment and disgrace Erichh's father asked Uncle Emil to settled matters with the lender, and he did.
However, Uncle Emil's terms were harsh: Erich was to resign his commission and take second class passage on the Friedrich Wilhelm to America. He did.
