Rudolf Forster Movies
- 1923
At the Grey House was the English-language title of the 1925 German drama Zur Chronik von Greishuus. Advertised as "A Romance of the Moors," the film stars Lil Dagover as Barbara, a servant's daughter. Wealthy young Viscount Heinrich (Paul Hartman) is in love with Barbara, but their marriage is opposed by the boy's guardian Old Greishaus (Arthur Krausmack), who threatens to cut off Heinrich's inheritance. There are many heartbreaks and disappointments ahead for the two lovers, but in the end Right prevails. Variety's critic not only panned At the Grey House but also skewered the introductory comments made by the manager of the New York theater which ran the film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Hartmann, Rudolf Forster, (more)
- 1931
Ariane was Hungarian director Paul Czinner's first talking picture. Starring in the title role is Czinner's charming wife, Elizabeth Bergner, likewise making her talkie debut. Young, naive Ariane sets herself for an emotional fall when she falls in love with Konstantin (Rudolf Forster), a much older and very married businessman. For his part, Konstantin regards the girl as just another harmless fling -- until he realizes a shade too late that he's really in love with her after all. Filmed in German, Ariane was simultaneously lensed in an English-language version, The Loves of Ariane. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elisabeth Bergner, Rudolf Forster, (more)
Filmmaker G.W. Pabst's adaptation of Bertoldt Brecht and Kurt Weill's Threepenny Opera (Die Dreisgoschenoper) is every bit as good as the stage original, and sometimes even better. Filmed in both German and French versions with different casts (a planned English-language version was abandoned), Threepenny is most readily available today in its German incarnation. Rudolf Forster stars as robber captain MacHeath -- aka Mackie Messer, or Mack the Knife -- who falls in love with Polly (Carola Neher), daughter of beggar king Peachum (Fritz Rasp). Despising MacHeath, Peachum plots the thief's downfall with his best friend, corrupt police official Tiger Brown (Reinhold Schunzel). The satirical "happy ending" of the original -- MacHeath, en route to the gallows, suddenly and without motivation promoted to knighthood! -- is altered somewhat by Pabst and his scenarists to accommodate a swipe against Depression-era bankers. Lotte Lenya, Weill's wife, brilliantly repeats her stage role as Pirate Jenny. Stylistically, Threepenny Opera is a Georg Grosz drawing come to life; despite its 1890s London setting, the film's calculatedly tawdry veneer is clearly meant to represent the wide-open Berlin of the 1930s. For the record: the French version of Threepenny Opera starred Albert Prejean as MacHeath. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rudolf Forster, Carola Neher, (more)
- 1932
Dreaming Lips was lovingly assembled by filmmaker Paul Czinner as an "ideal" vehicle for his popular actress wife Elizabeth Bergner. The star plays Gabrielle, the glamorous, spoiled wife of world-famous orchestra leader Peter (Romney Brent). Left alone by her constantly touring husband, she inaugurates a romance with brilliant but reclusive violinist Miguel de Vaye (Raymond Massey). Booked for an American tour, De Vaye insists that Gabrielle accompany him -- and that she tell her husband about their affair. But when Peter falls seriously ill, Gabrielle dutifully remains by his side, never telling him of her indiscretion. Torn between two lovers, Gabrielle eventually decides to kill herself -- leaving a nonplused Peter to wonder just why his wife was so distraught. Overlength is the only significant flaw of this luxuriously produced three-hanky picture. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anton Edthofer, Elisabeth Bergner, (more)
- 1932
Also known as Der Traumende Mund and Dreaming Lips, Melo was filmed in both French- and German-language versions by director Paul Czinner. Based on a play by Henry Bernstein, the film focuses upon a romantic triangle: orchestra violinist Peter, his wife Gaby, and their concert-violinist friend Michael. Gaby loves both Peter and Michael with equal fervor, making the situation all the more unbearable. When no other solution seems possible, Gaby kills herself rather than hurt either one of her lovers. In the French version of Melo, Gaby was played by Gaby Morlay; in the German version, the role was essayed by Czinner's wife Elisabeth Bergner. Both versions were eventually banned in Germany because virtually everyone involved in the production was Jewish. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gaby Morlay, Anton Edthofer, (more)
- 1932
This German flag-waver recounts the life and career of famed 19th-century Prussian military leader General Yorck. Werner Krauss, who 13 years earlier had starred in Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, plays the title role. The film's dramatic high-water mark is the moment in 1812 that Yorck refuses to obey his wrong-minded King, whereupon he is branded a rebel. Within a few years, the German film industry would be nationalized by the Nazi party, whereupon any film in which a courageous general dared to stand up to his country's leader would be rejected out of hand. Ironically, by that time the fervently patriotic Werner Krauss would be designated an "Actor of the State." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Werner Krauss, Grete Mosheim, (more)
- 1932
Brigette Helm stars as a disillusioned movie extra who makes a speedy exit from a Viennese movie studio while still wearing her elegant costume. She heads off to a resort in Monte Cristo, where she poses as a wealthy countess (she's certainly dressed for it!) Jewel thief Gustaf Gruendgens and swindler Rudolf Forster help Helm carry off her masquerade for larcenous reasons of their own, but Forster spoils everyone's plans by falling in love with the girl. Graefin von Monte Cristo served as the basis for the 1934 Universal comedy The Countess of Monte Cristo, with Fay Wray in the starring role. The property was remade in 1948 as a musical vehicle for skating-star Sonja Henie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brigitte Helm, Rudolf Forster, (more)
- 1933
This German language film illustrates the worship of military endeavor which was to become a staple of the Hitler regime. It centers around life on a German submarine in WWI. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rudolf Forster, Adele Sandrock, (more)
- 1939
Anna May Wong and J. Carroll Naish, so memorably teamed in Paramount's Dangerous to Know, are costarred once more in Island of Lost Men. Naish plays ruthless jungle plantation owner Gregory Prin, who runs his domain like a dictatorship and treats his workers little better than slaves. Into Prin's world comes Kim Ling (Wong), daughter of a disgraced Chinese general. Kim Ling hopes to clear her father's name by bringing his primary accuser, Prin, to justice. The native-uprising finale is rendered in gloriously gruesome detail. A remake of the 1931 Charles Laughton-Carole Lombard starrer White Woman, Island of Lost Men also offers early but well-rounded performances by Anthony Quinn (as a Chinese patriot!) and Broderick Crawford. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anna May Wong, J. Carrol Naish, (more)
- 1952
This musical slapstick comedy has everyone chasing everyone! A re-make of a 1960 movie, this is available in German only. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1955
This 1955 drama was based - like Istvan Szabo's masterful Colonel Redl (1985) - on the life story of Alfred Redl, a Ukrainian man who worked his way up through the hierarchy of the Austrian army in the early 20th century, while concealing his own homosexuality. In time, when others learn of his gayness, Redl is blackmailed by the Russians into taking counter-espionage maneuvers against the Austrians, and is ultimately forced to commit suicide. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ewald Balser
- 1955
Despite its frivolous title, Eine Frau Genuegt Nicht? (One Woman Is Not Enough?) is a complicated romantic drama. Ernst Vossberg (Hans Soehnker) is married to Maria (Hilde Krahl), but their romance has soured and they haven't lived together in years. When Ernst's current girlfriend Renate (Helaine Bei) becomes pregnant, he intends to marry her. Unfortunately, Maria isn't willing to give him up just yet. Refusing to take sides through most of the proceedings, the film is sympathetic to the individual plights of all three protagonists. It is a shame, then, that the story is resolved in a tawdry, melodramatic fashion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hilde Krahl
- 1956
It took nerve for director Harald Braun to attempt an all-talking remake of F.W. Murnau's silent masterpiece The Last Laugh, though it can't be denied that Braun's version has its moment. Still, the remake, Der Letze Mann (The Last Man) lacks the originality and nuance of the silent film, if only because it is retreading familiar ground. In the earlier version, Emil Jannings starred as a proud, self-reliant hotel doorman whose whole world disintegrates when he is demoted to washroom attendant. In the remake, Hans Albers plays a headwaiter who is professionally humiliated when the ownership of the hotel changes hands. The Murnau version ended with an ironically comic coda, which may or may not have been a figment of the protagonist's imagination. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hans Albers, Romy Schneider, (more)
- 1957
The indefatigable Willi Forst was back in 1957 with Die Unentschuldigte Stunde (The Unexcused Hour). Following his usual pattern, Forst not only directed the picture, but also collaborated on the screenplay. Based on the popular stage play by Stefan Bekeffi and A. Stella, the story concerns a pretty young student (Erika Remberg) who marries her professor (Adrian Hoven). Our heroine continues pursuing her academic career, causing all sorts of complications for her husband. The film's title refers to the fact that student and teacher can never enjoy a moment alone -- unless it is an "unexcused absence." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adrian Hoven, Erika Remberg, (more)
- 1957
This Austrian romantic comedy was adapted from The Master, a play by Herman Bahr. O. W. Fischer stars as the head surgeon at the Ischl health spa. When rumors persist that Fischer performed an illegal abortion on a peasant girl, it appears as though his career is ruined. Moral and financial support from an unexpected source enables the doctor to restore his reputation -- and, eventually, to prove that the accusations of his enemies were false. What could have been oppressively melodramatic is handled with a refreshingly light touch by director Rolf Thiele. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- O.W. Fischer, Elisabeth Müller, (more)
- 1959
In this German musical, the female proprietor of the famed White Horse Inn has her hands full. Not only does she deal with her job, she must also fend off the advances of an amorous head waiter while she tries to pursue the man she really loves. Unfortunately, this man marries one of her rivals. Fortunately, the woman comes to appreciate her determined waiter and romantic happiness ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1959
The Rest Is Silence, a German-made attempt to update Shakespeare, is one of the best and least self-conscious of this minor genre. As indicated by the title, the film's script is a "mufti" version of Hamlet, with young Hardy Kruger trying to prove that his uncle (Peter van Eyck) has killed his father. Direct references to the Shakespeare original abound, right down to the re-enactment of the crime for the benefit of the Uncle and the periodic appearances of the ghost of the hero's father. Interestingly, this 1960 film was released at the same time as a "straight" German version of Hamlet, made for television and starring Maximillian Schell. The original title of Rest Is Silence was Der Rest Ist Schweigen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hardy Kruger, Peter Van Eyck, (more)
- 1960
In this psychological thriller an Austrian nobleman tries to stay sane in the face of Nazi torture during World War II. The story is told in flashback after the protagonist is seen at a chess tournament with a champion. He is thrown into jail after the Nazis overran Austria. When he is not being mentally tortured into revealing important secrets, the man is in solitary confinement. To stay sane, he conceals a chess book in his cell. The intricacies of the game help him concentrate. Unfortunately his valiant attempts fail and he breaks down. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Curd Jürgens, Claire Bloom, (more)
- 1960
Based on a play by Eugene Scribe, this witty comedy by director Richter-Helmut Kautner departs from the usual fare of 1950s and early '60s German films. Set at the beginning of the 18th century when Queen Anne (Liselotte Pulver) was on the throne as the British monarch, the story tells of the rivalry and animosity between Lady Churchill (Hilde Krahl), the Duchess of Marlborough and Sir Henry St. John (Gustaf Grundgens), the Viscount of Bolingbroke. While the Queen is depicted as naive and vacillating, the Duchess and Viscount have a great deal to say about the affairs of state. (The Duke of Marlborough was in charge of the armed forces in Queen Anne's war on the continent.) Other affairs are also examined, such as that of the lovers Arthur Masham (Horst Janson) and Abigail (Sabine Sinjen). Flashbacks are shot in black and white, and the skillful use of color in costuming and decor adds a touch of symbolism to the story. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liselotte Pulver, Hilde Krahl, (more)
