What creative freedoms did Ernst Lubitsch have at Paramount?

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At Paramount, Ernst Lubitsch was regarded as the studio's most respected director, and his projects were treated as prestigious endeavors that provided the studio with significant cachet. Because of this status, he was granted a high degree of creative freedom, which included the following privileges:1

  • Creative Autonomy: He was given a free hand in his creative decisions.1
  • Production Control: He frequently produced his own films, allowing him to oversee the development of his work from a broader perspective.1
  • Final Cut: He held the privilege of final cut, ensuring that his artistic vision remained intact in the finished product.1

In 1935, his influence at the studio was further formalized when he was named head of production—an unprecedented position of power for a director at that time—though he held this role for only about one year before returning his focus to directing.23