Josefine Dora Movies

Baby Doctor Engel is the English-language title of this German comedy-drama. The titular Engel (Paul Horbinger) not only brings babies into the world, but he also puts the lives of the parents in order. He takes special interest in the plight of unwed orchestra violinist Maria Winkler (Viktoria von Belasko), who gives birth to a sickly infant. Things turn out well in the end, but it's touch and go in the last few moments. Halfway through Kinderarzt Dr. Engel, the story stops cold in favor of an amateur musical review staged by the hospital staff; it's hardly necessary, but it's fun. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Based on the stage favorite Lilac Time, Drei Maederl um Schubert re-creates incidents in the life of composer Franz Schubert (Paul Hoerbiger). The story concerns his romantic entanglements with three sisters: Hederl (Greti Theimer), Heiderl (Maria Andergast), Hannerl (Else Elster). All three girls have a profound effect on Schubert's work, though none of them is able to land him as a husband. The music has been adapted from Schubert's best-known compositions, with emphasis on his Unfinished Symphony. The direction of Drei Maederl um Schubert was evenly divided by E. W. Emo (from UFA studios) and Hans Sassman (from the original stage production). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The title translates as Schoeller Boarding House, which is where 95% of the film's action takes place. The hero, Phillip Klaproth (Jacob Triedke), has been borrowing heavily from his wealthy uncle Alfred (Paul Heidemann), ostensibly to finance his education but actually to pay for his hedonistic lifestyle. When Uncle shows up in town, Phillip hastily tries to put him out of the way so he won't discover the truth. He takes his uncle to a boarding house, claiming that it's a mental hospital which he, Phillip, intends to purchase. Though the boarders aren't really crazy, they're eccentric enough to convince the uncle that Phillip is telling the truth. Pension Schoeller is an agreeable entry in the screwball-comedy genre, its humor predicated almost entirely upon misunderstanding and misrepresentation. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

"Zapfenstreich" translates as "Military Music," of which we hear plenty in this Germany comedy. The hero is a handsome Army lieutenant (Hans Stuwe), in love with several young ladies at once. While sorting out his romantic travails, the officer must contend with two new recruits: silk-hatted magician Siegfred Arno, who shows up in camp with a prop bird cage, and clumsy musician Erno Verebes, a habitual screw-up. The two comic characters eventually stage a camp show, culminating in a happy ending for Stuwe and his sweetheart Charlotte Susa, and Verebes and his sweetheart Maria Solveg. Typically heavy-handed, Zapfenstreich aus Rhein undeniably delivers the laughs. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi