Margarete Haagen Movies

Explicit scenes are a regular feature in this sexually oriented drama by German director Rolf Thiele. The story is set at the beginning of the 20th century when a young man who lives along the Rhine awakens sexually and has his first, highly erotic affair with an alluring actress. His socially well-placed father is not happy and sends the lad off to a remote school in the provinces, thinking that might help him settle down. Instead, the son continues his escapades with a variety of women, including his landlady. But the libidinous lothario's one-track mind is forced to rethink his actions when World War I alters the European panorama. In relation to the title, the former imperial German flag was black, white, and red in color. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Ruth Leuwerik plays the regal title character in the lavish German historical drama Koenige Louise (Queen Louise). The wife of Prussian monarch Friedrich Wilhelm III (Dieter Borsche), Queen Louise quickly becomes one of the most popular women in all Europe. She also convinces her husband to stop squandering his time and talents and to actively participate in the politics of his kingdom. As a result, Wilhelm and the Czar of Russia (Bernhard Wicki) agree to form a united front against the incursions of Napoleon (Rene Deltgren). Alas, this strong political stand proves to be Wilhelm's undoing, and Queen Louise, feeling herself responsible for the political debacle, literally dies of a broken heart. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Drei Maenner im Schnee (Three Men in the Snow) was based on a novel by the prolific Erich Kastner. The story is predicated on one of the oldest plot devices in the book. A millionaire (Paul Dahlke), hoping to remain incognito, switches identities with his servant (Guenther Lueders) while vacationing in an Alpine hotel. The "third man in the snow" is young doctor Claus Bierstadt, who is in love with the millionaire's daughter (Nicole Huesters). The mistaken-identity ploy is played to the hilt, with the servant having so much fun pretending to be rich that he isn't inclined to tell anyone the truth. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Die Wunderschoene Galathee restages the legend of Pygmalion in turn-of-the-century Vienna. Amorous sculptor Victor (Viktor de Kowa) selects shopgirl Leni (Hannelore Schroth) as his model. Once his masterpiece is completed, Victor abandons Leni--only to find himself romantically attached to the statue made in her likeness. Giving up such delectable romantic partners as a countess (Margarete Haagen) and actress Victoria (Gisela Schmidting), Victor seeks out and rediscovers Leni, whom he now realizes is the true love of his life. Slow going during the "serious" scenes, Die Wunderschoene Galathee truly comes to life during its musical highlights, especially those involving third-billed Willy Fritsch. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Originally In Jenen Tagen, In Those Days was the first postwar directorial contribution by Germany's Helmut Kautner. The film is an episodic recollection of life under the Third Reich, told from the viewpoint of an automobile. Kautner introduces the audience to the car's various owners, each of whom is in one way or another a victim of Nazism. The most poignant vignette concerns a businessman whose life and career are destroyed by the Nazi persecutors of his Jewish wife. Because of a shortage of studio space, most of In Jenen Tagen was lensed out-of-doors, adding a realistic, documentary-like veneer to the proceedings. Though held in low esteem by American film critics, In Jenen Tagen was deemed worthy enough to be entered into the 2nd International Film Festival at Locarno; the film was later released in the U.S. as Seven Journeys. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi