#XenaGabrielleAsk

[luck-13]

Thank you so much for all the information.I knew about the director, but not about Christa Winsloe, who wrote the original play, or the fact that the writer was a lesbian. I will look for your blog, as I am interested in learning more about this film. I really appreciate if you recommend readings related to Winsloe's lesbianism and the fact that her play was inspired by her own life. Also, When the play was first published and whether there is any translation of it into English. I am sorry, if I am asking much, but I am really interested to read more. I watched this movie 11 years ago, and rewatched it recently. I wonder why I couldn't see how special it was before. I also wonder if it was inspired by Clemence Dane's novel, Regiment of Women (1917), or maybe vice versa, in case that the original play was published before 1917? I see much similarity between the two story-lines, and scenes, and characters, though the essence of the love relationship between the pupil and the teacher is completely different in these two works, as in Regiment it is manipulative, abusive, and non-mutual. Have you read Regiment, or any article discussing the connection between the two works? I also love the music so much. One of my all time favorites, or maybe the best. I never get tired of watching your video. :)

(Source: another comment to my video (Mutual Love at First Sight - Mädchen in Uniform https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bJVYYV3dLE) by Xena Gabrirlle.)

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Hello again :D

At first, sorry, the title of the book in German is Das Mädchen Manuela, and this is the tag on dorothea-wieck but the link in description is correct.

Warning. The answer is very long, and it's muuuuch longer than I thought. I suppose, no complains from both sides (my writing and your reading of this is/will be enjoyable.) Mädchen in Uniform is my yyyeeess, but Christa Winsloe /with or without MiU is so much yes.

Also, sorry for the long links, but I think about shitty redirecting which Tumblr uses and if it's wrong all the links are not links.

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Yes, I can recommend you something. I'm one of lucky owners of Christa Winsloe's autobiography, but it's in German. (I have almost no German, but I've read a little with 100% help of Google translate and some other sites.) You can be a lucky owner too. eBay has the best variants to chose from, so search for Auto-Biographie und andere Feuilletons. (Yes, it's also about Christa's love of cars.)

Also, I would recommend Christa's (semi?)-autobiographical book Girl Alone about her lesbianism (including a way of finding her real lesbian self *(me) waving by pride flag*), but Amazon has no copies *Whyyyyy??? T_T* If I'm not mistaken it's in English originally (!!!). Winsloe was giving English lessons in her early 20's, so I think writing in English was easy for her.

SEARCH HERE: www.amazon.com/GIRL-ALONE-Christa-Winsloe/dp/B006G3YZB0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530739149&sr=8-1&keywords=Girl+Alone+Christa+Winsloe

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NOW, ARTICLES (not too much details, or it will be endless):

1) "The fact that her play was inspired by her own life."

Hertha Thiele's (Manuela) interview with a little bit about Christa. The article starts with info about the film, about Thiele & some info from two interviewers about Thiele's opinion on MiU, etc.

It has my most favourite Christa's quote (the only one known apart from what she wrote???) This is also about me. "The experience (life at boarding school Stift) is one which I had to write from my heart."

tlweb.latrobe.edu.au/humanities/screeningthepast/reruns/thiele.html

2) It was found via Tumblr. How first of two known Christa's partners/lovers/girlfriend's, Dorothy Thompson fell in love with Christa Winsloe and about their relationship. That Fateful Christmas, 1932 (my title.) There's also a few pictures with Christa. However, her portrait with autograph (!!!) is on another site too. I've found the photo a few years ago via Google, but source was different.

http://www.eclecticatbest.com/2012/12/dorothy-thompson-and-sinclair-lewis.html

3) Yesss, the photo with autograph is part of short biography in German

http://www.fembio.org/biographie.php/frau/biographie/christa-winsloe/

4) A little bit similar to #2. This is where I found my most favourite Christa's photo which is profile picture on YouTube.

http://thisrecording.com/today/2014/7/10/in-which-dorothy-thompson-could-not-forget-vienna.html

5) I suppose I stumbled upon this article long ago, but I don't remember reading it. At least, I remember this user. https://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/2112318.html

!!!!!! 6) There somewhere were 2 parts of a very rare article. . . I have to find the parts again . . .

Yesss, Google search querie Christa Winsloe Erika Mann (the last played Fräulen von Attems who taught girls how to play in 1931 movie version) gave what we need, but the second part.

Title: Maedchen in Uniform. From repressive tolerance to erotic liberation. Author: B. Ruby Rich

So, here are both parts:

https://www.ejumpcut.org/archive/onlinessays/JC24-25folder/MaedchenUniform.html

https://www.ejumpcut.org/archive/onlinessays/JC24-25folder/MaedchenUniform2.html

7) Oh, and don't forget to read Wikipedia (Christa and MiU):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christa_Winsloe

German version is probably more detailed, but (I forgot to mention) it has Christa "Kate" Winsloe. LOL, Käte is Manuelas Mutter in the book. Therefore Christa made part of herself related to Manuela through mother. (I can talk about this and other similar "coincidences" forever, just ask for more.)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mädchen_in_Uniform

Articles found after "asking" Google. I've never read them before or completely now.

8) Mostly about Christa + MiU, and a little about a few years after.

http://www.lesbengeschichte.de/Englisch/bio_winsloe_e.html

9) The movie (and the book) is based on the play "Gestern und heute" (Yesterday and Today). Something about it (15 pages).

https://www.academia.edu/1780103/_Yesterday_and_or_Today_Time_History_and_Desire_in_Christa_Winsloe_s_Mädchen_in_Uniform_._In_German_Life_and_Letters_65_2012_457-471

There are much more (something new, not repetitions), I suppose. You can simply search Christa Winsloe on Google, but I think this long list is enough.

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"When the play was first published and whether there is any translation of it into English."

Going back to article #1, "Winsloe was a lesbian. She wasn't even sixteen when she married Baron von Hadvany (There's an) - the marriage only lasted two or three days, yet they both remained in contact for a long time. I met the Baron shortly before Christmas in 1930 on the occasion of the Leipzig theatre premier of Rittner Nerestan (which I later called Gestern und heute - Yesterday and today)."

Sorry, I don't remember where I read it, but I distinctly remember that the first version of the book (Rittner Nerestan, as we can say judging by Thiele's words) had been written during Christa Winsloe's marriage.

Somehow another articles says that Christa had been married for years. In one article was info that she left Ludwig von Hatwany and moved ??? (place was mentioned). Anyway, I suppose the info that ex-husband helped Christa by money is true. Christa is a great sculptor and artist (drawings), so I'd like to use second part of a pun found on Tumblr (about her marriage). "The details are sketchy."

Christa was born on 23.12.1888, so she turned 16 in 1904. Therefore, according Hertha Thiele this can be the year.

However, the play on the stage was in 1930 (because it was a year before the movie), and final version was probably written in 1933 as Amazon says https://www.amazon.de/Das-Mädchen-Manuela-»Mädchen-Uniform«/dp/3861995387 Despite of this, my memory gives 1932 as the year. Maybe it's just the difference between finished book and publication.

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The book yes, is translated, but I have no idea if the first play survived ever the way as it was in German.

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"I am sorry, if I am asking much." LOL, don't be sorry, another Christa's new fan. Honestly, because of my habit of trying to talk (to almost everybody who asking/commenting about MiU which has happened rarely) about Christa, I suppose there are ~5 of females who became her fans, and you are the 6th :D

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"I watched this movie 11 years ago, and rewatched it recently." Wow, 2007??? You were lucky.

I watched it on 11.24.2011 only because I wanted to watch teacher/pupil, but couldn't believe this was possible. Then I found MiU on one of the lists on Wikipedia (lesbian movies, not LGBT ones, I'm sure). Happily, it's not tragedy, so I decided to watch.

I've watched parts too many times to count, and even listened to parts as audio. German pronunciation is sooooo beautiful.

" . . . and rewatched it recently. I wonder why I couldn't see how special it was before."

Agree 100% with part since "how". The reason why MiU is special for me is it's higher rated, boarding school-included (instead of public one), more emotional (Manuela's part before she tried to end her life) version of my since 11 to 13 y.o. past.

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"I also wonder if it was inspired by Clemence Dane's novel, Regiment of Women (1917), or maybe vice versa, in case that the original play was published before 1917?"

Hmmm . . . We both have no idea now. If Hertha were right, The play was written in 1914, so . . . maybe?

Honestly, I haven't even heard about this book. BUT it's seems like a challenge forms to try to turn "manipulative, abusive, and non-mutual" relationship into completely opposite. *rubbing hands in anticipation*

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regiment_of_Women  Ooooh YES, yes, yes, this book is very similar to MiU, and now I have some ideas even before reading. Thanks :DDD

● Update: YAY, I’ve found Regiment of Women by Clemence Dane on Play Books (complete and free), thanks to gutenberg.org 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁 (This is also a separate post with main tag #XenaGabrielleAsk)

Also, I've found (accidentally) own post and your mentioning the book probably solves the mystery I've been unable to solve until now. Manuela is in love with the Headmistress??? Yes, you read these words exactly. (Sorry, my English wasn't good then, and I can't correct the post :( ) http://dorothea-wieck.tumblr.com/post/58436934031 (Whole part of an article with my comments.)

ALSO, later update: http://middleagedwomen-curves.tumblr.com/tagged/tell-me-your-story/chrono It's females' stories about their crush/love, and a lot are teachers ❤ It's sooo interesting and also some can be used as ideas.  

Ooooh, thanks to Instagram there are some similar great pictures, but Google found one as text also. Imagine Fräulein von Bernburg's doing this to Manuela. "Before you kiss a girlーgrab her waist, pull her closer to your body, look into her eyes, look at her lips while you're biting yours look back at her eyes again, grab her face gently, then slowly lean in and kiss her. It'll drive her crazy, I promise. 

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Since you're MiU fan, I can recommend you something better than a manipulative teacher.

1) Have you watched Cracks? LOL, I have a blog about this too (but it hasn't been updated for a number of years.) http://cracks2009.tumblr.com No spoilers, except I'm 1000% sure main girl will never abandon her dearest teacher. Also, it's based on a book by Sheila Kohler. My long search gave nothing, so I had to buy this book. Somehow, eBay had a cheap brand new one.

2) How about Loving Annabelle? The info everywhere is that it's ~ based on/similar to/remake of MiU 1958, but nothing about 1931 version *angry* But it has some wonderful f/f scenes :DDD Alternative end is the only reason for YES, instead of *why the Hell it ended this way?*

3) Bloomington is about a student and college teacher, but it has f/m in between because of almost "I hate you" (not at the same time), and split up in the end :(

4) Olivia, 1951? It starts almost like MiU when main character is a new pupil at boarding school. BUT no teacher/pupil kiss, only pupil/pupil. However, the girl loved her teacher so much, and was looking at her (when she was reading to the girls) almost like Manuela.

I watched it once in 2012? (and maybe rewatched lesbian parts later), but it's what I remember about lesbianism there.

● Update 5) I've found a post here on Tumblr and remembered Matilda by Roald Dahl Great Children's book. There's also movie, but I've not watched it completely yet. (No spoilers, if you don't know, but it's the happiest ending of sll teacher/ pupil f/f if a few I've ever read or watched.)

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"I also love the music so much. One of my all time favorites, or maybe the best."

YES?! YES? I thought of commenting that it's probably my most favourite classical piece. GREAT.

● Update: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZdiY1pTaR4 is the video the music is from.

Aaaand: https://dorothy-zbornak.tumblr.com/post/57970831013 This is version as a song in Polish :D I added original lyrics and translated it in English (I understand all (except one line) finally.)

Oh, also there were periods in the past (during a few years until a couple of years ago) when I listened to song version many times + music version too (but much less times) on repeat and am listening now too *happy*

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"I never get tired of watching your video. :)"

THANKS. I tried (but there's one grammatical error, unfortunately).

I thought I did it in another video, but this one has it more than one timeーlonger kiss.

Part from Hertha's interview, "When the film went to Romania, a letter came from the distributors there, asking `Please, twenty more metres of kissing'." I wanted this too, since the moment I'd read these words, and I found a way (not 100% realistic as it's clearly a freeze frame at least one time, but yes, it IS longer.)

You can look for more MiU-related videos on my channel. I have some fan-fictions/drabbles about Elisabeth (von Bernburg)/Manuela too.

http://dorothea-wieck.tumblr.com/tagged/fanfiction (there are some that aren't mine, though), but I can look and give link to each if you need.

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Oooh, have you ever watched Anna and Elisabeth? The same Wieck and Thiele as lead characters. My 2nd of top 3 lesbian films (and I wrote fan-fictions too; because these two must be happy together as characters).

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● Update: The end of your first comment, "the maker/director was a woman and as some scholars suggenst probably a lesbian herself." I forgot about it/forgot to comment. Yes, you're right about Leontine Sagan (Schlesinger // Wikipedia confirmed I remember right.) I read about it somewhere. Also, she played everybody's favourite E.v.B on stage. There are 2 posts from her book Light and Shadows (bought and upload by a girl from East Russia.) http://dorothea-wieck.tumblr.com/post/114300921565 http://dorothea-wieck.tumblr.com/post/114397860189  

She's much better looking than masculine 50 y.o. Meltzer? in the very first version in 1930 on stage in Leipzig (Hertha Thiele was chosen by Christa Winsloe for stage, and for the movie probably too, but there were many girls who tried, so Thiele wasn't sure (she would be chosen for the movie too). 

I don't know if I'm the one, but Sagan as Bernburg look like combination of Dorothea Wieck and Christa Winsloe (oh, the director of the movie playing E.v.B. on stage look like E.v.B. in the movie + MiU's author). Great.  

Also, once I went a little too far and . . .  (AU visual story (with terrible proportions due inability to correctly combine wide-height of original and new part(s)) based on Thiele's interview) http://dorothea-wieck.tumblr.com/post/87629548774

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Hope we'll talk more soon.

You can send me an ask (but it won't allow much of a text) http://dorothy-zbornak.tumblr.com/ask, or send a submission (longer) on dorothea-wieck.tumblr.com (I made ability to submit only there), but it will be answered on dorothy-zbornak.

If you have any better ways, I'm ready to think about any.l

[luck-13]

YAY, I've found Regiment of Women by Clemence Dane on Play Books (complete and free), thanks to gutenberg.org 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁