Hans Holt Movies
- 1938
Long before the Vienna Boys' Choir was "discovered" for the movies by Disney's Almost Angels, the young choristers were spotlighted in the Austrian-German production Konzert in Tirol (Concert in the Tyrol). Though the music is the film's selling card, the producers felt obliged to include a minimal plotline. Ingredients essential to the action include the romantic misadventures of a Tyrolean music teacher and the criminal activities of the teacher's rival. Making one of his earliest film appearances, Hans Holt proved to be an audience and critic's favorite, assuring him a long and rewarding screen career. For those not interested in the music or the plot. Konzert in Tirol offers some lovely exterior photography of the Tyrolean moutainside. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hans Holt
- 1938
World-renowned Austrian actor-singer Leo Slezak (Walter's dad) stars in this typical Viennese operetta. Slezak is cast as cab driver Leopold Weinzierl, a hidebound traditionalist who resists all forms of progress. When his daughter's sweetheart offers to buy the Weinzierl home as a potential auto-factory site, Leopold demands that the girl break off her romance, promising her hand to another suitor. To protect his property, Leopold mortgages the place to the man he's chosen as a son-in-law. But when this man proves to be a no-good rat, it is the other boyfriend who saves the day. The now-contrite Leopold celebrates his change of heart in song, just as he's celebrated every other momentous occasion in his life. The film's musical score was penned by Robert Stolz, whose previous successes included Two Hearts in Waltz Time (incidentally, the English-language title for Liebe in 3/4 Takt was Love in Waltz Time, indicating that Stolz knew a good thing when he saw it). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leo Slezak, Annie Rosar, (more)
- 1938
The zany German "chase" comedy Diskretion-Ehrensache (Discretion-Word of Honor) was adapted from a novel by Von Hannes Peter Stolp. Heli Finkenzeller plays American heiress Mary Hopkins, who at the beginning of the film is forced into an engagement with a titled nobleman. Hoping to extricate herself from this unwanted union, Mary deliberately gets herself mixed up in a romantic scandal, hoping that the shame she brings upon her name will scotch the wedding plans. Swept up in Mary's scheme is eccentric inventor Peter Parker (Hans Holt), who agrees to elope with the girl provided that there aren't any strings attached. By the time the film reaches its riotous conclusion, of course, Mary and Peter have fallen genuinely in love. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1938
Variete Csillagai (Stars of Variety) is a backstage melodrama with intrigue to spare. The plot is motivated by the hatred between vaudeville sharpshooter Carrey (Paul Javor) and famed magician Keats (Antal Pager). The main bone of contention is the fact that Carrey's stage partner Sylvia (Bella Bordy) is Keats' ex-wife. When Carrey accidentally shoots Sylvia during a performance, Keats pounces upon him, claiming that he intended to murder the girl. The key to the mystery is Sylvia herself, whose last-reel revelation ties up innumerable loose plot ends. Written by Thea Von Harbou (of Metropolis fame), Variete Csillagai was filmed in both Hungarianand German-language versions. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Antal Pager
- 1939
Popular German stage and screen comedian Theo Lingen handled the directorial reins of Marguerite Drei. The title translates as Marguerite Divided by Three, a perfect description of the dilemma facing the eponymous heroine (played by Gusti Huber). Marguerite would like to marry Wolf (Hans Holt), but first she must break down the resistance of his three overprotective, misogynistic uncles. To do this, she pretends to be three different girls, inveigling all three uncles to propose to her. Once she reveals the ruse, the trio realizes that they've been a bit too restrictive with poor Wolf, and a happy ending is had by all. Incidentally, star Gusti Huber was the mother of actress Bibi Besch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gusti Huber, Hans Holt, (more)
