Jane Tilden Movies

In this dull melodrama, a young woman is rescued from a troubled Hungary in 1956, brought to Austria by the journalist who saved her, and then the two fall in love and marry. Before much time has passed, the journalist dies unexpectedly, and, with no viable alternative, his widow goes to live with her father-in-law and eventually becomes a high-school teacher. Meanwhile, the woman's first love back in Hungary had been arrested in the 1956 disturbances, and after 15 years he is released from prison. When he finds his way back to her again, the two try to renew their old romance, even taking a trip to Italy together -- but nothing turns out as they thought. An underpar script and uninspired acting in the two leads sap the dramatic potential of this story, making it difficult to sustain interest in the fortunes of the protagonists. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Marianne (Birgit Doll) is driven from her father's home when she is impregnated by Alfred (Hanno Poeschi), a vagabond loafer who abandons her after he has his fun. She goes to Vienna and takes a job in a strip club to provide for herself and her baby. Her father discovers his daughter's tawdry vocation when he and his buddies go to the club for a night of leering and drinking. Marianne later has no choice but to go back to the butcher to whom her father promised her in marriage before she fell for Alfred. The story is taken from a play by Oedoen Von Horath and is directed with flair by Maximilian Schell. Watch for silent movie star Lil Dagover playing the role of Helene. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

This is a deft satire by Axel von Ambesser that undercuts the adage that a soldier must always obey orders, no matter what. At the heart of the story is Schwejk (Heinz Ruhmann), a canine salesman who is drafted into the army during World War I. The setting is Bohemia when it was under the sway of a combined Austro-Hungarian rule. Once Schwejk has his uniform on he so devotedly follows the very letter of the law, every order that is given him, that he comes off as a total idiot. Nevertheless, he manages quite well with this tactic, whether it is feigned or not. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

As can be gathered from its title, which translates to Vienna, City of My Dreams, this film is an old-fashioned Austrian comedy with operatic undertones. Hans Holt stars as the obligatory incognito king, in this case one "Alexander of Alania." Escaping a revolution, Alexander takes a job as chauffeur in his own country's embassy in Vienna. Gaining popularity for this move, the King is invited by popular demand to return to his throne. By this time, he has fallen in love with pretty commoner Elisabeth Seyboldt (Hertha Feller), while Alexander's one-time fiancee, Princess Sandra (Erika Remberg), has found happiness in the arms of music teacher Peter Lehnert (Adrian Hoven,the story's nominal hero). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

This Austrian family film is based on a book by Erich Kastner, of Emil and the Detectives fame. Punktchen (Sabine Eggerth) and Anton (Peter Feldt) are best friends, despite the fact that Punktchen's family is rich while Anton's is poor. Neglected by her parents, Puntchken devotes her time to helping Anton provide for his ailing mother. Puntchken's folks disapprove of this set-up until Anton prevents their home from being robbed. Told from the children's point of view, Punktchen and Anton nonetheless contains ample entertainment value for grownups. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi