Ernst Behmer Movies
- 1937
The title of this German musical translates as Seven Boxes on the Ear, referring to the painful punishment doled out to financier Anton Terbanks (Alfred Abel). Thanks to a run on Wall Street caused by Terbanks' financial finagling, Scotsman MacFab (Willy Fritsch) loses his life savings of seven pounds. Running directly to the newspapers, MacFab spreads the word that Terbanks is the enemy of the "little man." Hoping to avoid further embarrassment, Terbanks agrees to allow MacFab to box his ears in public every day for seven days -- then tries to figure a way to wriggle out of his agreement. The dilemma is resolved when MacFab falls in love with Terbanks' daughter Daisy (Lillian Harvey), but not before she herself is clobbered on the ear at least once. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alfred Abel, Lilian Harvey, (more)
- 1936
Verraeter (Traitors) is set for the most part in a German aircraft factory. Using forged passports, a group of enemy spies infiltrate the factory for the purpose of appropriating secret plans. One of the spies is sent on a test flight of a revolutionary new bomber, which he plans to steal for his own country. When he's found out, the spy is pursued by a squadron of planes, all well-stocked with machine guns -- while his comrades continue to go about their dirty work on the ground. The film's suspense lies in its variety of incident; no sooner has one spy been disposed of, than another one pops up for more skullduggery. And in true New World Order fashion, Verraeter illustrates the dangers of human frailties by offering several otherwise decent characters who allow themselves to be hoodwinked or manipulated by the spies. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Willy Birgel, Herbert A.E. Boehme, (more)
- 1936
The exotically titled Donogoo Tonka starts out in Paris, as hero Pierre (Viktor Staal) and heroine Josette (Anny Ondra) join forces to hatch a moneymaking scheme. For a generous fee, Pierre and Josette offer to guide a wealthy banker to the legendary African "golden city" of Donogoo Tonka. The possibility that this wondrous city may not exist has no effect on Pierre, who carries out the plan so meticulously that he actually stumbles upon the "mythical" land in the final reels -- whereupon the entire cast bursts into song! A French-language version of this German musical fantasy was filmed simultaneously by director Reinhold Schuenzel. It was released several months after the original, under the streamlined title Donogoo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anny Ondra, Renée Saint-Cyr, (more)
- 1936
"Ist Mein Mann Nicht Fabelhaft?" ("Isn't My Husband Wonderful?") coos adoring wife Lu Brandt (Lien Deyers). Lu's hubby Victor (Georg Alexander) may indeed be wonderful, but rich he's not. A lowly employee in a record-player factory, Victor discovers that his wife has told their neighbors that he's actually the company's supervisor. Rather than embarrass Lu, Victor tries to live up to his reputation -- and nearly goes broke in the process. But the worst is still to come when Victor's neighbors, each of them laboring under the misapprehension that they're musically talented, descend upon the Victrola factory en masse demanding auditions. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Georg Alexander, Lien Deyers, (more)
- 1936
Der Bettelstudent (The Beggar Student) was based on the same-named operetta by Carl Miloecker. The plot is implicit in the title, as a seemingly impoverished scholar triumphs over his wealthier rivals and claims the girl of his dreams. Such German film favorites as Fritz Kampers, Ida Wuest and Marika Roekk do not disappoint their fans as they go through their customary musical paces. There's also room for some traditional comedy relief, handled in traditional fashion by Ernst Behmer. The highlight of Der Bettlestudent is the second-act ballet, splendiferously photographed by a full cadre of UFA cameramen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marika Rökk, Fritz Kampers, (more)
- 1936
Those Three About Christine is the English-language title of this compact little melodrama. Christine Biehler (Maria Andergast), a substitute teacher, is sent to an isolated village in the Black Forest. Amazingly, the petite young schoolmarm is able to keep her troublesome students in line, something none of her predecessors were able to do. Alas, she is far less successful in her own love life, unable to decide between her three most ardent suitors. When she finally does make a choice, it's the wrong one -- disastrously wrong. Die Drei Um Christine is very simple, very basic "audience" material, and quite well done. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maria Andergast, Hans Söhnker, (more)
- 1935
Considering how much Adolf Hitler relied upon his scientists during WWII, the anti-technology stance of Der Herr Der Welt (Ruler of the World) is amazing. After a long absence, Dr. Heller (Walter Janssen) returns to his laboratory, where he learns that his demented chief assistant (Arlbert Waeschler) has developed a robot. Dr. Heller approves of this, but he's less happy with the fact that the robot is equipped with a death ray. His objections don't carry too much weight, however, inasmuch as Heller is quickly dispatched by the homicidal robot. The story briefly goes off on another tangent as Heller's widow Vilma (Sybille Schmitz, of Vampyr fame) falls in love with handsome mining engineer Baumann (Sigfried Schuerenberg). Ultimately, both Vilma and Baumann must contend with thousands upon thousands of killer robots, who've been programmed to take over all jobs -- and, eventually, the world. Die Herr der Welt was the last of director Harry Piel's quartet of science fiction films, which began in 1915 with Die Gross Wette. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Walter Janssen, Sybille Schmitz, (more)
- 1934
In this comical thriller, two fellows invent a TV that can see through walls and depict what ever lies on the other side on the screen. The trouble begins when crooks find out about the useful creation and try to steal it from the inventors. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1932
A robbery and a betrayal begin this convoluted crime drama. Following a robbery, jewel thieves Dr. Sandegg and Klotz demand that the corrupt jeweler behind their latest heist give them a bigger cut of the take, but he cannot as he has already spent the loot. Instead, he gives them the key to his ex-wife's hotel room so they can steal her large diamond ring. Sandegg does the dirty work. Unfortunately another crook, Diehl, steals the ring from him. Diehl is involved with the ex-wife and after teaming up with Sandegg and Klotz, informs them that the ring they took was a fake. Diehl devises a complex plan to get the real stone. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Heinz Salfner, Karl Ludwig Diehl, (more)
- 1932
The "terror of the garrison" referred to in the title is diffident Army private Felix Bressart, who simply can't follow the curriculum of the military with discipline. Somehow, Bressart's inability to follow orders makes him extremely popular with his superior officers -- and if one can believe that, the rest of the story will be easier to swallow. In love with Lucie Englische, owner of a small photo gallery, Bressart proves his devotion by presenting her with a basket of fruit, which he's stolen from the garden of royal princess Tamara Desni. As it turns out, this theft somehow patches up Desni's relationship with her own sweetheart, thus Bressart is freed from jail, presumably to continue breaking all the rules and getting away with it. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Felix Bressart, Adele Sandrock, (more)
- 1932
Hasenklein was based on a stage play by Hans Mahner-Mons. Arriving in the big city to visit his daughter, provincial dressmaker Jacob Tiedke finds himself attending a political meeting. Through a series of hilarious misunderstandings, our hero is elected a member of Parliament then is promoted to the Presidency. Tiedke wants nothing to do with all this, but the more he tries to disqualify himself, the more his followers are convinced that he's a legislative genius. After using his political clout to smooth the romantic path for his daughter and her sweetheart, Tiedke blissfully returns to the small-town dress shop whence he came. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jacob Tiedtke, Lien Deyers, (more)
- 1932
The internationally popular screen team of Lillian Harvey and Willy Fritsch scored another box-office bull's-eye with Ein Blonder Traum (A Blonde Dream). Harvey plays a Jou-Jou, a struggling artist who is deceived and victimized by a man posing as an American millionaire. Taking pity on the poor heroine, two window cleaners (Willy Fritsch and Willy Forst), lifelong friends, decide to take care of her and help her achieve success. Inevitably, both of our heroes fall in love with "the blonde dream." Lillian Harvey also starred in the simultaneously filmed English-language version of Ein Blonder Traum, with all the original songs intact. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henri Garat, Willy Fritsch, (more)
- 1931
Student Sein (To be a Student) once again musically paints a picture of campus life that has precisely no connection with reality. The students of Wurzberg University spend most of their time singing, drinking and flirting mit der pretty frauleins. Things take a serious turn when the BMOC hero (Franz Baumann), the son of a wealthy man, falls in love with a poor girl. Separated by their stations in life, the boy and girl finally come together when the hero's bankrupt father commits suicide, putting him on the same economic level as the heroine. Though Franz Baumann was far too old to convince as an undergrad, his singing could not be faulted. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fritz Alberti
- 1931
Zwischen Nacht und Morgen (During Night and Morning) was based on Dirnentragodie, a play by Wilhelm Braun. Aud Egede Nissen plays an aging prostitute who falls in love with a young, wealthy scapegrace. Soon her new swain leaves her in favor of a younger tart, compelling Nissen to murder her rival. Whether or not this will have any redemptive effect on the young man is left to conjecture; it is certain, however, that Nissen will pay for her crime. The film is a remake of a 1925 silent picture which starred Asta Nielsen and was directed by Bruno Rahn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Aud Egede Nissen, Oscar Homolka, (more)
- 1931
The title character in this German backstage musical is Grete Schubert (Else Elster), a pretty blonde who indeed has the voice of a nightingale. While squandering her talents in a cheap cabaret, Grete is discovered by a pair of ambitious theatrical agents. Try as they might, they can't secure a decent booking for the girl, but there's still one chance left in the form of Ziegfeld-like impresario Hirschfield (Paul Kemp). Alas, the Great Man is too busy to see either the agents or their client. Tired of being treated like a commodity rather than a human being, Grete tries to escape her mentors, only to accidentally run into Hirschfield on her own. Sure enough, the celebrated showman makes her a star, and even plays Cupid between Grete and her stagehand boyfriend Walter (Arthur Hell). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ernst Behmer, Else Elster, (more)
- 1931
Despite its title, the German musical comedy Bomben auf Monte Carlo is not a war picture -- not in the traditional sense, anyway. Hans Albers stars as a naval captain from a small, mythical kingdom who heads to his consulate in Monte Carlo, complaining that neither he nor his crew have received their wages in months. The Queen (Anna Sten), travelling incognito, overhears the Captain's beef and sells her pearls to pay his salary. Not knowing the queen's true identity, the captain accompanies her to the gaming tables, where they win an enormous sum of money -- only to lose it all on the draw of a single card. Once more unable to pay his crew, the captain threatens to aim his ship's guns at Monte Carlo and blow up the casino unless his money is returned. At this point, the queen reveals her true identity, then relieves the captain of his command. He jumps ship, she jumps after him, and the two fall in love. Such was Hans Albers' popularity in 1931 that few cared whether his films made sense or not. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hans Albers, Anna Sten, (more)
- 1931
Blue-eyed heroine Lore (Grete Berndt) is "Das Rheinlandmaedel" ("The Rhine Maiden") in this frothy German operetta. A girl of modest means and background, Lore falls in love with Hans Waldorf (Werner Fuetterer), a wealthy college student. When Hans' father finds out, he tries to bribe Lore to drop the boy. She refuses, whereupon daddy is so impressed by Lore's sincerity that he gives his blessing to the marriage. That's about all there is to Das Rheinlandmaedel, except for lots and lots of singing, dancing, and quaffing of spirits. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Trude Berliner, Lucie Englisch, (more)
- 1931
The title of this carefree German comedy translates as Who Takes Love Seriously. It isn't easy at first to see what this title has to do with the plot, which involves a pair of small-time swindlers. Our heroes' latest scam is to steal dogs then return them to their owners for a hefty reward. Along the way, the two rapscallions get mixed up with the heroine (Jenny Jugo), who's smarter than both of them put together. The films of Jenny Jugo could always be counted upon to make the turnstiles click in Germany, and the immensely profitable Wer Nimmt Liebe Ernst is no exception. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Max Hansen, Jenny Jugo, (more)
- 1930
The UFA movie studios are the setting for this intricate murder mystery. Frequent Fritz Lang leading lady Gerda Maurus stars as The Film Diva (that's how she's billed), who is the primary suspect when a murder is committed on the set of her latest epic. The suspects include "The Leading Role" (Harry Frank), "The Production Manager" (Paul Kemp) and "The Sound Master" (Frederick Franz Stampe). Surprisingly, the identity of the killer is so well hidden that it genuinely takes the audience by surprise -- something that didn't always happen in American whodunits of the era. According to contemporary observers, The Shot in the Talker Studio painted a remarkably accurate portrayal of the German moviemaking process (though one hopes that murder was not always part of that process!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gerda Maurus, Harry Frank, (more)
