Manfred Noa

Manfred Noa (22 March 1893 – 5 December 1930) was a German film director. Noa was described by Vilma Bánky, who he directed twice, as her "favourite director".^[1] Noa's 1924 film Helena has been called his "masterpiece" although it was so expensive that it seriously damaged the finances of its production company Bavaria Film.^[2]

A film and art director later specialised in historical films,^[3] Noa is perhaps best known today for his 1922 film Nathan the Wise, an adaptation of Gotthold Ephraim Lessing's 1779 play of the same title, which made a plea for religious tolerance.^[4] He was the third husband of the actress Eva May, who was the daughter of his fellow director Joe May and actress Mia May.^[5] Noa died 5 December 1930 in Berlin of peritonitis.^{[citation needed]}