Peter Erkelenz Movies
- 1935
Dream of the Rhine is the English-language title of this easygoing romantic comedy. German-born Jupp Steinweg (Schroeder-Schromm) returns to Der Fatherland after several years in America. He arrives with two servants, who are instantly inveigled into a pick-pocketing scheme. This comic subplot is never permitted to intrude upon the film's main purpose: to offer a picture-postcard paean to the beauties of the Rhine River. Unlike many other German films during the Hitler regime, Der Traum von Rhein downplays its nationalistic fervor, to good effect. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1931
Alan Hale Sr. plays an American navy officer who allows German sub commander Peter Erkenlez to escape prosecution at the end of WWI. But Hale soon changes his mind when he discovers that Erkenlez was responsible for the death of Hale's wife, who drowned when her ship was torpedoed. Thereafter, the gloves are off, and a terrible revenge is extracted. The Sea Ghost bears traces of the famous 1919 seafaring melodrama Behind the Door, though the villain is spared the grisly fate of Wallace Beery in the earlier picture. Laura La Plante, in one of her final starring features, is cast as Hale's peacetime sweetheart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Laura La Plante, Alan Hale, (more)
- 1931
Blonde Crazy describes the perpetual mental state of James Cagney. A conniving bellhop, Cagney increases his bank account by using his blonde girlfriend Joan Blondell as a come-on to various "sugar daddies" whom he suckers out of their hard-earned cash. When the pair try their con game in New York, they fall victim to sharpster Louis Calhern. Angry that Cagney has lost their money, Blondell marries straight-arrow Ray Milland. Cagney tries to get back the dough by committing a holdup, and is promptly arrested. Blondell, realizing that Cagney has landed in jail because of her, throws over her husband and vows to wait for Cagney. As amoral as a bagful of alley cats, Blonde Crazy is good dirty fun from Hollywood's randy pre-code era. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Cagney, Joan Blondell, (more)
- 1931
The 1929 all-talkie adaptation of Bayard Veiller's stage play The Trial of Mary Dugan proved a worthy showcase for MGM-diva Norma Shearer. But Shearer was not conversant in German, thus Nora Gregor inherited the leading role in the German-language version, Mordprozess Mary Dugan. The personnel may have changed, but the plot remains the same: Libertine showgirl Mary Dugan is put on trial for murder, accused of killing her wealthy lover. Through a series of elaborate flashbacks, the truth about the events leading up to the killing slowly comes to the surface. It is also revealed that Mary's numerous romances with rich benefactors were undertaken so that she could finance the law-school education of her brother Jimmy -- who happens to be the attorney handling her defense. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nora Gregor, Egon Von Jordan, (more)
