 Jannings was a theater actor who went into films, though he remained dissatisfied with the limited expressive possibilities in the silent era.Having signed a contract with the UFA production company, he starred in "Die Augen der Mumie Ma" ("The Eyes of the Mummy", 1918) and "Madame DuBarry" (1919), both with Pola Negri in the main female part.He also performed in the 1922 film version of "Othello" and in F. W. Murnau's 1924 film "The Last Laugh" ("Der Letzte Mann"), as a proud but aged hotel doorman who is demoted to a restroom attendant.