Gretl Theimer Movies

Before he became the principal cinematic spokesperson for the Nazi Party, director Veit Harlan was capable of turning out such frothy comedies as Der Muede Theodor (Weary Theodor). The title character, played by Weiss Ferdl, is a retired hotel proprietor who meager savings are commandeered by his henpecking wife. Befriending actress Gretl Theimer, our hero takes a secret night job as a hotel waiter to finance Theimer's upcoming musical show. Inevitably, Theodor's wife shows up at the hotel where her husband is moonlighting, whereupon sturm und drang reigns supreme. The biggest laughs are reserved for the end, when Theodor must double as both guest and waiter at a fancy dinner party. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The title of this German musical comedy translates as A Song, A Kiss, A Girl. Who could ask for anything more? Well, the critics in 1936 did ask for more, carping that the film's storyline, about the romance between an aspiring actress and an incognito millionaire, was a veritable festival of cliches. Also subjected to critical lambasting was the by-the-numbers climax, as the hero buys out the entire house on the opening night of the heroine's stage debut. Audiences didn't care if they'd seen this story a million times before: they were enchanted by the winning performances of stars Gustav Froelich and Martha Eggerth. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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, All Movie Guide

Faced with revolution, Queen Alexandria (Mady Christians) abdicates and scurries towards the border. En route, she makes the acquaintance of handsome rebel leader Feodor Karew (Gustav Diesel). Failing to recognize Alexandria as a member of the hated royalty, Feodor falls in love with her. She reciprocates, eventually rescuing Feodor from execution when the revolution falls apart. Once restored to her throne, Alexandria renounces it again, all for the sake of her beloved Theodor. In case there's any doubt, the title translates as Lieutenant, Were You a Hussar? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Viktoria (Friedl Schuster) is the wife of the American Ambassador of Peking. The Hussar (Michael Bohnen) is a Hungarian military officer, and Viktoria's former sweetheart. Captured by the Russians, the hero escapes to Peking, where he is given shelter by Viktoria. Their love is soon rekindled, whereupon Viktoria divorces her incredibly understanding husband and accompanies her Hussar to Vienna. This hackneyed storyline was not what attracted German audiences to this lavish operetta: Rather, it was the rich singing voice of Friedl Schuster, whose enthusiastic performance helps keep the soggier plot developments afloat. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Ihre Majestaet die Liebe (Her Majesty, Love) stars Kaethe von Nagy as a charming Berlin barmaid, in love with aristocratic Franz Lederer. The hero's stuffy businessman brother disapproves of the romance and tries to buy the girl off, while her ex-vaudevillian father Szoeke Sakall (later known as S. Z. Sakall) does his best to marry the girl off to a wealthy baron. Thanks to a series of unfortunate misunderstandings, the heroine ends up as the baron's bride, but the couple comes to the mutual agreement that the marriage is a mistake, and the baron gives the girl a divorce -- making her a baroness in the process and thus a suitably "high born" bride for the faithful Lederer. Ihre Majestaet die Liebe was remade in Hollywood as Her Majesty Love, with Marilyn Miller as the heroine and W. C. Fields as her father. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Originally Zwie Herzen in Drei-Vertel Takt, this delightful operetta was written directly for the screen by Robert Stolz. Nicki and Vicki, two librettists who also happen to be brothers, are presently in collaboration with composer Toni. All too aware of Toni's amorous escapades, Nicki and Vicki try to keep the existence of their pretty sister Hedi a secret. Suffering from a acute case of writers' block (he has yet to find an inspiration for his next production), Toni throws a huge party, which is boycotted by his friends and associates so that he'll keep his mind on his work. The only guest who does show up is uninvited -- and surprise, that guest is sweet little Hedi, who turns out to be inspiration enough for ten operettas. Two Hearts in 3/4 Time was a worldwide financial and critical success, with most of the credit going to cherubic supporting player Szoeke Szakall, who would go on to even greater fame in Hollywood as S. Z. "Cuddles" Sakall. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide