Hedwig Wangel Movies
- 1932
The title translates as Schoeller Boarding House, which is where 95% of the film's action takes place. The hero, Phillip Klaproth (Jacob Triedke), has been borrowing heavily from his wealthy uncle Alfred (Paul Heidemann), ostensibly to finance his education but actually to pay for his hedonistic lifestyle. When Uncle shows up in town, Phillip hastily tries to put him out of the way so he won't discover the truth. He takes his uncle to a boarding house, claiming that it's a mental hospital which he, Phillip, intends to purchase. Though the boarders aren't really crazy, they're eccentric enough to convince the uncle that Phillip is telling the truth. Pension Schoeller is an agreeable entry in the screwball-comedy genre, its humor predicated almost entirely upon misunderstanding and misrepresentation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jacob Tiedtke, Josefine Dora, (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)
- 1927
Just before launching the American phase of his career, filmmaker Alexander Korda directed his actress-wife Maria Corda in the German production A Modern DuBarry. Corda plays Toinette, a saucy, somewhat amoral scullery maid. Bouncing from bed to bed, Toinette becomes the mistress of Count Martel (Alfred Gerasch) and, ultimately, the King of Andalia (Jean Bradin). This final liaison very nearly topples the Andalian government, but Toinette manages to survive this ordeal with nary a hair out of place, though she does cry and cry a lot when things don't go her way. It was Modern DuBarry, completed in 1926, that landed Korda his Hollywood contract -- and the rest, as they say, is history. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
