Hans Rehmann Movies
- 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)
- 1931
Panic in Chicago was the third talking-picture endeavor for Robert Wiene, the director responsible for the landmark horror film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. By 1931, Wiene's best work was behind him, and he was busying himself with minor romances and crime pictures. Panic is a trifle about an American troublemaker joining forces with his German counterpart. It sounds like a comedy, but it wasn't, though critics felt it would have been a better picture if Wiene had played it for laughs. The film was based on an equally obscure novel by Robert Heymann. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hans Rehmann, Ferdinand Hart, (more)
- 1931
Der Pranke translates as The Paw, a title that makes more sense within context. It's an action thriller, utilizing as background an auto race in Rome. The excitement quotient is offset by humor and romance, not to mention villainy from unexpected sources. The comely Charlotte Susa plays the object of everyone's affections, while Fritz Rasp, best known for his work in the films of G.W. Pabst, likewise figures prominently in the story. Critics in 1931 admired the film's direction and cinematography but felt that the sound quality left a lot to be desired. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlotte Susa, Fritz Rasp, (more)
- 1930
More formerly known as Das Floetenkonzert von Sanssouci, this German historical drama is set during the reign of Prussia's Frederick the Great (here played by Otto Gebuehr, who made a career out of the role). Forced against his will to go back to war by his enemies, the King stirs up the patriotism of his countrymen by staging the titular flute concert. At one point, Frederick rails against the iniquities of "peace treaties," an obvious -- and anachronistic -- swipe at the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. This propagandistic sidebar is quite surprising in a pre-Third Reich German film but should not be constituted as being pro-Nazi (indeed, director Gustav Uelcky was forced to flee Europe when Hitler came to power). Still, it cannot be denied that Floetenkonzert is a glorification of war and warfare, no matter how prettily it was put together. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Otto Gebuhr, Renate Mueller, (more)
- 1929
In this drama, a young lighthouse keeper must row to town after he accidentally breaks one of the lenses of his light. While in town he finds himself tempted by several streetwalkers. When one of them is hit by another fellow, the lighthouse keeper rushes to her aid. She is grateful. She decides to reform and follow him to the lighthouse. Unfortunately, the fellow isn't interested in having another responsibility and leaves without her. While rowing back, a squall suddenly erupts and his boat threatens to sink. The fellow prays and swears that he will do right by the girl if only he can be spared. He is and so he marries the girl. Unfortunately, their marital bliss is interrupted by her drunken former abuser who has become a fugitive killer and wants her to hide him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
