Oska Sima Movies

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

Brieftrager Mueller translates as Mailman Mueller; no matter what the language, the title character is essayed by Heinz Ruehmann. Resigned to an uneventful existence, mailman Mueller undergoes quite a few changes when he suddenly comes into possession of untold wealth. At base, however, he's still the same plodding, accident-prone fellow he was at the beginning of the film. Most of the picture is devoted to the slapstick consequences of unexpected riches, with clever dialogue used sparingly. Brieftrager Mueller represented the 5th anniversary celebration of the successful German film firm of Bersolina. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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

Set in provincial Bavaria, Der Lachende Dritte (The Chuckling Third) concerns a valuable cache of liquid manure owned by elderly farmer Naz (Joseph Eichbein). Fully aware of how his odious possession is highly coveted by the local farmers, Naz refuses to move his compost pit when a fancy hotel is erected next to his property. The hotel owner spends most of the film cooking up schemes to remove Naz and his pungent pond without ruining the town's economy. The plot is resolved when the hotel becomes a sulphur-springs spa, all thanks to Naz's heap o' liquefied goat custards. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This is the third cinematic production of Johann Strauss the Younger's The Gypsy Baron and it is an amateur effort except for the singing. First performed in 1885, the operetta ("little opera") has all the characteristics of its genre at this time: mistaken identity, political connotations, gaiety, great waltzes, and an overlay of comedy. The story is set in the 17th century and focuses on Sandor von Barinkay (Carlos Thompson) whose father had once hidden a treasure in the forest somewhere. The pig dealer Zsupan knows about the treasure and would like to marry his daughter Arsena to Barinkay to form an alliance between their two families. But when Barinkay meets Czipra (Ida Ehre), a gypsy who also knows about the treasure, the gypsies see Barinkay as their new leader. By gaining the spurious title of "Baron of the Gypsies" he now has the appropriate baronial rank to marry Arsena -- and then he meets Saffi (Daniele Gaubert), a gypsy who turns out to be the daughter of the last Turkish Pasha, and the plot thickens. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

A musical work by Johann Strauss first performed in 1874 provides the basis for this musical comedy set in Vienna during the late 19th-century. It tells the story of a prince who plans an enormous costume ball with Phillip, his good friend. They are holding the ball to get revenge on Alexander, another friend. As the lavish dance begins, comic mayhem ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

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

Don't try to make sense of the title: just sit back and enjoy this daffy German-Turkish farce. Oskar Sima plays a successful fruit merchant who is busily preparing for the wedding of his daughter (Ruth Stephan). At the same time, Sima is celebrating half a century in the fruit business. One of his biggest suppliers, a Turkish potentate, gratefully offers Sima an anniversary present: A collection of lovelies from his harem. The veiled, bewelled ladies cause no end of consternation for Sima, who tries to keep them hidden as the deadline for his daughter's wedding approaches. Originally released as Die Turkischen Gurken, Turkish Cucumber was distributed in the US by the redoubtable K. Gordon Murray under a variety of titles, including Wedding Present and Daddy's Delectable Dozen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The exotically titled Donogoo Tonka starts out in Paris, as hero Pierre (Viktor Staal) and heroine Josette (Anny Ondra) join forces to hatch a moneymaking scheme. For a generous fee, Pierre and Josette offer to guide a wealthy banker to the legendary African "golden city" of Donogoo Tonka. The possibility that this wondrous city may not exist has no effect on Pierre, who carries out the plan so meticulously that he actually stumbles upon the "mythical" land in the final reels -- whereupon the entire cast bursts into song! A French-language version of this German musical fantasy was filmed simultaneously by director Reinhold Schuenzel. It was released several months after the original, under the streamlined title Donogoo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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