Marieluise Claudius Movies
- 1938
The title Die Entfuehrung translates as The Abduction, but it's a comedy, so no one gets hurt. Marieleuse Claudine plays Suzanne, an impressionable young miss who frets over her mother Yvonne's (Lola Chlud) clandestine romance with a smarmy lothario. With papa (Walter Janssen) away on business, Suzanne decides to take matters in her own hands. She fakes her own kidnapping, stowing away on the yacht of family friend Gerard Frehl (Gustav Froelich). Though poor Frehl takes his lumps from the Law, it all turns out okay when Suzanne's mom comes to her senses and her dad realizes how neglectful he's been. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gustav Froehlich, Walter Janssen, (more)
- 1937
- Add Der Mann, Der Sherlock Holmes War to QueueAdd Der Mann, Der Sherlock Holmes War to top of Queue
The English-language title of this German musical satire is The Man Who Was Sherlock Holmes. That immensely popular German star Hans Albers plays Morris Flint, a slaphappy private detective who enjoys pretending to be Holmes; likewise, Flint's assistant, Macky McPherson (Heinz Rühmann), gets a charge out of posing as Dr. Watson. During the 1936 World Exposition in Paris, "Holmes" and "Watson" come to the aid of two young ladies in their efforts to retrieve a valuable stamp. Morris Flint is arrested in the course of his investigation, on a charge of impersonating Sherlock Holmes (evidently a grave offense in Paris, given the solemnity of the subsequent trial). Our hero is saved at the last minute by a mysterious "Laughing Man" who has been weaving in and out of the picture. The mystery man turns out to be Arthur Conan Doyle, who jovially gives Flint permission to continue impersonating Holmes -- so long as he makes it clear that he's an impostor. Interestingly enough, The Man Who Was Sherlock Holmes was filmed without any permission of any kind from the Conan Doyle estate. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hans Albers, Heinz Rühmann, (more)
- 1936
Das Verlorene Tal (Lost Valley) is based on the best-selling novel of the same name. Set in the German Alps, the plot focuses on a naïve young girl (Marie Louise Claudius) who is left all alone when her sweetheart (Mathias Weisman) is called away on business. Not long afterward, the girl succumbs to the seductive charms of a city slicker (Olaf Bach). The results are disastrous, resulting in guilt, renunciations, recriminations, and at least one suicide. Excellent location photography helps the viewer forget the film's many narrative shortcomings. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mathias Wiemann, Marieluise Claudius, (more)
- 1936
King August the Strong was how this German historical pageant was billed in English-speaking countries. Michael Bohnen, a popular opera singer of the period, stars as the famed Saxon king of the title. August spends the better part of the picture fighting with King Charles of Sweden (Gunther Handack) over the possession of Poland. Charles is ultimately defeated by the Russians, allowing August to stake his claim in Polish terror. In essence, August Der Starke seems to advocate the subjugation of another country for the glory of the Fatherland (ironically, Germany's 20th-century invasion of Poland would serve as the spark for WWII). Beyond its propagandistic content, the film boasts several lavish "bacchanal" scenes, an apparent specialty of noted actor-director Paul Wegener. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Bohnen, Lil Dagover, (more)
- 1935
Alte und Junge Kaiser is "blood-and-honor" Nazi propaganda travelling under the guise of historical pageantry. The great Emil Jannings chews the scenery as aging Prussian "warrior monarch" Friedrich Wilhelm I. Alas, the King is saddled with a pantywaist nephew, Crown Prince Frederic (Werner Hinz), who prefers reading books to marching off to battle. Subjected to all sorts of humiliations by the autocratic Wilhelm I, the Prince reaches the breaking point when his best friend is executed before his eyes. But instead of turning on the King and staging a coup, Prince Frederic finally realizes that he's been wrong all along, and toughens himself up to be Frederic the Great, a true leader of manly men. The moral: Nothing, but nothing, is as important as nationalistic pride and blind obedience. Sieg heil! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Emil Jannings, Leopoldine Konstantin, (more)
- 1935
The popular German stage play Krach um Jolanthe was brought to the screen by producer-director Carl Froelich in 1935. Jolanthe is the name of a prize sow, the pride of a tiny rural community. Trouble begins when the sheriff comes calling, demanding to collect an exorbitant tax on the blue-ribbon oinker. When the owner can't pay up, the sheriff holds an auction to sell the sow to the highest bidder. The loyal townsfolk boycott the event, then plot a "jailbreak" when the sow is placed in custody of the local constabulary. Subtlety is hardly the strong suit of Krach um Jolanthe; the audience is invited to park its dignity at the door and laugh out loud unashamedly. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marianne Hoppe
