This collection of three narratives bears a noticeable resemblance to “Dr. Caligari.” The visual style is strikingly similar, featuring sets that appear deliberately awkward—with unusual angles and proportions—and lighting used skillfully to enhance the individual episodes. William Dieterle is tasked with crafting stories for wax figures representing three historical individuals within a waxworks setting. The initial story evokes "Arabian Nights," casting Emil Jannings as “Harun.” Conrad Veidt then takes on the role of Russian Czar Ivan IV, known as the terrible, and finally, Werner Krauss contributes a tale centered around “Jack the Ripper.” As Dieterle writes, he envisions himself—along with the owner’s daughter, Olga Beljeff—as participants in his own series. Each story unfolds with both humorous and dangerous events; for instance, Jannings finds himself unexpectedly shoved into an oven after falling for a baker's wife. The portrayal of Ivan depicts him as a grandiose figure diminished to a pathetic fool, while the “Jack the Ripper” segment concludes abruptly as the author drifts off to sleep. Personally, I found the second story most appealing, although the third feels like a more polished cinematic achievement. The method of layering the film to create an unsettling atmosphere during "Jack's" pursuit is quite successful—though regrettably brief. As a series of short films, it functions effectively, and while I’m not a specialist in German cinema, this stands out as one of the most entertaining examples of “expressionism” I’ve experienced so far, thanks to its engaging characters and plots.

Source on TMDB