Originally put together by Mr. Ian Kilcoyne

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 1920’s.

A floorshow is a series of entertainments (acts) presented

within a nightclub

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.

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?

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?

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.

Click your left hand mouse

button to reveal each verse.

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 whisper;Arise, arise,

Tomorrow belongs to me.

Oh Fatherland, Fatherland,Show us the sign

Your children have waited to see.The morning will come

When the world is mine.Tomorrow belongs to me!

Oh Fatherland, Fatherland,Show us the sign

Your children have waited to see.The morning will come

When the world is mine.Tomorrow belongs to me!

3. What effect does the song have on…

* Most of the people in the café?

* The Englishman?

4. Why do you think the old man stays seated?

Why does he appear to get unhappier the longer the song goes on?

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 1930’s.

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.

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 1930’s?

END