Hermann Blass Movies

The irrepressible Harry Piel is both star and director of Jonny Stiehlt Europa (Johnny Steals Europa). Europa is the name of a prize mare, owned by hero Jonny (Piel). Slated to run in the Grand Prix in Nice, Europa is suddenly claimed by Jonny's creditors. Our hero is forced to steal back the nag before the Big Race, which is ultimately won by Guess Who? Darry Holm co-stars as an American heiress with whom Jonny falls head over heels in love. While it's true that Harry Piel tended to limit himself to territory previously mapped out by Douglas Fairbanks Sr., all of his films were hugely successful, so who could argue with his strict adherence to formula? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The title of this German farce translates loosely as The Slight Indiscretion. What makes the story all the more amusing is the fact that the indiscreet hero, Walter Heller (Herman Thimig), is a divorce attorney. When his affections are stolen by femme fatale Lona (Hilde Hildebrand), Heller's wife Erika (Renate Muller) gets even by "vamping" Lona's husband Dr. Eppman (Hans Brauseweiter). A dual divorce ceremony follows almost immediately, but everything is straightened out in time for the closing production number. German audiences were happy with Der Kleine Seitenspring, but American observers felt it was a shade overlong. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Forced to work nights, a young Austrian bureaucrat is unable to escort his lovely wife to a masquerade ball. Unbeknownst to our hero, his wife and her maid slip off to the ball on their own. Wifey makes the acquaintance of her husband's best friend who, unaware of her identity, is quite smitten by her and invites himself to her home. She manages to get rid of her lovesick swain by removing her mask and gown and disguising the maid as herself. Never revealing her true identity, the maid enjoys a passionate evening in her escort's apartment. The next day, the husband, who hasn't a clue as to what has transpired the night before, invites his friend home to "meet the missus." The friend is naturally terrified at the prospect that the wife will reveal their romantic rendezvous of the night before, little realizing that he'd actually spent the entire evening with the maid. How this situation eventually straightens itself out is far better seen than described. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

(Dolly Macht Karrier) Dolly's Career top-bills the delightful Dolly Haas in the title role. It's a harmless little story about a starry-eyed chorus girl who hopes to become a big star and also keep her virtue, and of the various antagonists who try to prevent her from doing either. The film is highlighted by a number of elaborate dance sequences, gracefully performed by Haas and cleverly choreographed by Ernst Matray. In the largest male role, Alfred Abel does his usual overrated overacting, though audiences were satisfied to the point of applauding Abel upon his first entrance. Star Dolly Haas later emigrated to America, where she eventually forsook show business to marry New York Times caricaturist Al Hirschfield. Dolly Macht Karriere marked the directorial debut of Anatole Litwak (Litvak), who likewise relocated to the U.S., there to enjoy a long and rewarding Hollywood career. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Das Gestohlene Gesicht (The Stolen Face) is an old-fashioned detective yarn given credence by its talented cast. A set of peculiar circumstances force the heroine of the story to assume the identity of another woman. When a murder occurs, the wrong person is held responsible, and it is up to a methodical detective to separate fact from falsehood. Edith Edwards and Fridel Haerlin essay the female leads, doing what they can (and more) with the dialogue they're given. The 1952 British melodrama A Stolen Face is not a remake. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide