Oska Sima Movies
- 1929
Lillian Harvey's second film for Ufa Productions was 1929's Adieu Mascotte. Based on a story by Michael Linsky, the story revolves around an artist's model named Mascotte (Harvey) who ekes out a hand-to-mouth existence in the Parisian art colony. In dire need of money to finance a friend's operation, Mascotte auctions herself off at an artist's ball. She is "bought" by a novelist named Jean (Harry Halm), who merely wants to teach his flirtatious wife a lesson. Discreetly keeping his distance, Jean persuades Mascotte to pose as his mistress so that his wife will become jealous and return to his arms. Of course, things don't go as planned, and before long Jean and Mascotte have fallen in love. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1930
After completing his searing antiwar drama Westfront 1918, director G. W. Pabst shifted gears with the romantic seriocomedy Skandal um Eva (Scandalous Eva). Upon learning that her fiancee, the Minister of Finance, has fathered a child, schoolteacher Eva (Adele Sandrock) brings the kid to her home village, there to secretly care for the tot so as to avert scandal. Alas, before long Eve is falsely accused of being the unwed mother who brought the child into the world. Not only does she lose her teaching job, but she innocently sparks an investigation of the entire teaching staff. Only when several closeted skeletons have been revealed is Eva rescued from disgrace by her contrite fiance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adele Sandrock, Paul Henckels, (more)
- 1930
Also known as Darling of the Gods, this was Emil Jannings' second talkie appearance. Jannings stars as famed operatic singer Albert Winkelmann, who is greeted with cheers, applause and romantic propositions whenever he performs in his native Vienna. But when he embarks on a tour of South America, tragedy strikes. The sweltering climate causes Winkelmann to lose his voice on stage, a disaster met with hoots and cat-calls. Dispirited he returns to Europe, where he soon learns that no one is aware of what happened in South America. Intending to retire so as not to be exposed to further humiliation, Winkelmann is goaded back on stage -- where, miraculously, his gorgeous voice returns. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Emil Jannings, Renate Mueller, (more)
- 1930
Der Anders (The Other) was adapted from the stage play of the same name by Paul Lindau. Fritz Kortner dominates the proceedings as a brilliant and highly feared prosecuting attorney. What no one suspects is that Kortner moonlights as a vicious criminal, who isn't above using violence to get what he wants. Heroine Kaethe von Nagy discovers his secret, but such is her unsavory past that she is in no position to blow the whistle. Ultimately, Kortner is done in by his own ego. Der Anders was previously filmed in 1913, with Albert Basserman as the duplicitous "hero." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fritz Kortner, Hermine Sterler, (more)
- 1930
Released in the U.S. as The Alluring Goal and The Enticing Goal, this film represented the second screen appearance in as many months by world-famous operatic tenor Richard Tauber. The story is the old one about the provincial clod who rises to fame on the opera stage only to forget about the truly important things in life. Surprisingly, there's more story than singing in this one, putting Tauber, who musical abilities far outweighed his acting talents, at a distinct advantage. Far better served within the framework is his co-star, soprano Maria Elsner, who not only can act but is easy on the eyes to boot. Highlights include the usual opera vignettes as well as Tauber's rendition of the folk tune Joseph. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Tauber, Oska Sima, (more)
- 1931
Seitensprunge (Dodging) stars Oskar Sims and Gerda Maurus as a married couple accustomed to taking each other for granted. Thus, when both husband and wife find romance outside their marriage, it's a shock to everyone -- especially them. Sims and Maurus break up to elope with their respective lovers, only to be thrown together again when they show up at the justice of the peace. Realizing what fools they've been, hero and heroine now realize that they're more in love than ever. The lever of humor of Seitensprunge is brought down a few levels by leading lady Gerda Maurus, an actress better suited to the heavy-breathing melodramas of director Fritz Lang. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Oska Sima, Gerda Maurus, (more)
- 1931
Oscar Karlweis enacts the title role in the German operetta Der Tanzhusar (The Dancing Hussar). The hero is a none-too-bright military man who wriggles in and out of one scrape after another. He also pitches woo in the general direction of the film's two leading ladies, Friedl Haerlin and Gretl Theimer. Ernst Verebes and Oscar Sims provide comic relief, though they're not quite as funny as the corpulent Karlweis' efforts to portray The Great Lover. The inherent humor of Der Tanzhusar can be summed up in a sentence: Everything the hero and his fellow Hussars do, they do wrong. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Oscar Karlweis, Friedl Haerlin, (more)
- 1931
Einbrecher (Burglars) is a vehicle for Lillian Harvey and Willy Fritsch, designed as a follow-up to their copacetic pairing in Drei von der Tankstelle. Like most operettas of this nature, the plot is the film's least important element. The story has something to do with an ingenuous young bride (Harvey) who gets involved with a gang of Runyonesque underworld types. One of the crooks, played by Fritsch, falls in love with the girl and vows to deliver her back to her husband. Featured in the cast is Viennesse stage actress Margarethe Koeppke, whose supporting role was pared down after her untimely death. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lilian Harvey, Willy Fritsch, (more)
- 1931
Its title translates as The Inn on the Rhine, so there's no mystery as to where this German operetta takes place. Pretty young Tilly (Marie Elsner) is saddled with status-conscious parents who want their daughter to marry distinguished college lecturer Dr. Hans Trieborn (Hans-Heinz Bauman). But the good doctor is in love with lady innkeeper Annemarie Babbinger (Kaethe Dorsch), while Tilly is in love with Annemarie's son Heinz (Fritz Schultz). And the result? Instead of becoming Tilly's husband, Dr. Trieborn ends up as her father-in-law. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Käthe Dorsch, Fritz Schulz, (more)
- 1931
Die Lustigen Weiber von Wien (The Merry Wives of Vienna) is all about the romance between Viennese official Leitner (Paul Hoerbinger) and vaudeville headliner Theresa Zalenka (Cordy Milowich). Leitner's ten -- count 'em ten -- daughters disapprove of the union and intend to teach their father a lesson. The girls form a vaudeville act of their own, threatening to continue "trodding the boards" until daddy breaks it off with Theresa. A subplot concerns the girls' dancing teacher (Willy Forst) and his sweetheart (Lee Parry), who is jealous of all ten "merry wives." In case it isn't obvious from the synopsis, this film is a musical comedy, with ample supplies of both commodities. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Hoerbiger, Willi Forst, (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)
- 1932
This German operetta is one of several of the period utilizing events (both actual and imagined) in the life of composer Franz Schubert. Carl Joeken is cast as Schubert, who though homely and impoverished manages to find time for romance -- when he isn't writing songs, that is. Though loved by pretty innkeeper Therese (Lucie Englisch), Schubert is enamored of the glamorous Countess Maria Esterhazy (Gretl Theimer). In desperation, Therese has a heart-to-heart talk with the Countess, who magnanimously agrees to bring the heroine and Schubert together. Alas, Therese misunderstands the Countess' motives, and as a result Schubert loses both ladies. In the depths of despair, the great composer manages to write some of his most enduring tunes, including the title song. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gretl Theimer
- 1932
Music, drama and comedy are neatly integrated in this low-key backstage romance. After a lengthy spell of unemployment, leading man Paul Hartwig (Willy Forst) and leading lady Lisa Brandes (Dolly Haas) prepare to open in a big-time stage musical. Is it any surprise that Paul and Lisa also manage to fall in love? Their story is but one of several leading to the inevitable "big opening"; other subplots involve the director, the composer, the supporting players, the chorus and the technical crew. So Ein Maedel Vergisst Man Nicht is one of the few "putting on a show" endeavors in which it appears that a real show is actually being put on. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dolly Haas, Willi Forst, (more)
- 1932
Ein Toller Einfall (A 'Phantastic' Idea) features comic actor Max Adelbert as a "poor rich man," who in spite of his magnificent mansion and priceless possessions hasn't a penny in the bank. Heading to England to negotiate the sale of his mansion, he leaves the place in the care of his nephew Willy Fritsch. In Adelbert's absence, Fritsh transforms the mansion into a hotel, packing in the customers with an elaborate floor show. Naturally, this helps to put Adelbert back on his feet, leading inexorably to a happy ending. Dorothea Wieck and Ellen Schwanecke, previously teamed in the controversial Maedchen in Uniform, portray entirely different characters in Ein Toller Einfall. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Willy Fritsch, Jacob Tiedtke, (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)
- 1936
Luise Ullrich plays a dual role in the German Schatten der Vergengenheit (Shadows of the Past). Falsely accused of murder, café violinist Helene Gail (Ullrich) is shipped off to prison. Four years later she is released for good behavior but is unable to find work due to her questionable past. It so happens that Helene has a twin sister named Betty (also Ullrich), a popular music-hall entertainer. When Betty is accidentally drowned, Helene is able to take her place and start her life anew. Alas, she will never be free of her past so long as her trail is dogged by two gangsters, who know her secret and intend to capitalize upon it. Tension mounts steadily until the very last moment in the film, which will take everyone -- even those subliminally expecting it -- by surprise. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Luise Ullrich, Gustav Diessl, (more)
Jan Kiepura and Marta Eggerth, a pair of gifted opera singers who were also husband and wife, were at the height of their fame in 1936 when they starred in this Viennese screen musical. Denise (Eggerth) is an aspiring singer whose audition for a production of La Bohème strongly impresses Rene (Kiepura), another performer hoping to land a role in the opera. Denise wins the leading role of Mimi, and Rene wins the heart of Denise as well as a part as her love interest, but their good fortune is soon shrouded in tragedy when Denise discovers that, much like her character, she has contracted a fatal disease which may prevent her from making her triumphant debut. Zauber der Boheme (aka The Charm of La Boheme) was designed to incorporate the music of Puccini's opera into a contemporary setting as a vehicle for Kiepura and Eggerth; this project marked their return to the European screen after a stay in Hollywood failed to make them into American matinee idols in the manner of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jan Kiepura, Marta Eggerth, (more)
