Oska Sima Movies
- 1955
Heimatland (Homeland) is based on Krambambuli, a novel by Maria von Ebner-Eschenbachs. Krambambuli is the name of the pet dog owned by hero Thomas Helmberg (Rudolf Frack). As Thomas pursues his romance with Helga Sonnleithner (Marianne Hold), he is thwarted at every turn by his rival for Helga's hand, Hans Bachinger (Adrian Hoven). In a parallel development, Krambambuli likewise battles for the affections of a female pooch. So important is the dog to the proceedings that the animal portraying Krambambuli--whose name, believe it or not, was Hatti von Fernstein--is given special billing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rudolf Prack, Adrian Hoven, (more)
- 1954
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
- Starring:
- Georges Guetary, Paul Hoerbiger, (more)
- 1953
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
- Starring:
- Heli Finkenzeller, Susanne Von Almassy, (more)
- 1952
The title of this German musical translates to The Forester's Daughter. The title character is Christi, played by Hanneri Matz. Christi impulsively falls in love with a handsome stranger (Karl Schoenboeck), never suspecting that her boyfriend is really Austrian emperor Franz Joseph. Upon ascertaining the emperor's true identity, Christi pleads with him to save her former boyfriend, rebel leader Joseph Foeldessy (Will Quadfleg), from the firing squad. Die Foersterchristi is based upon the stage operetta of the same name by the Buchbinder Brothers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Angelika Hauff, Karl Schoenboeck, (more)
- 1950
A German language movie--a comedy about an ice skating troupe worried about the devious actions of their manager. No subtitles. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1937
Gasparone was one of several George Jacoby-directed movies designed to promote the film career of musical-comedy star Maria Rokk. Although the casting of Fraulein Rokk was at first opposed by German propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels, he eventually and mysteriously relented, though it certainly wouldn't be the last time that movie casting decisions would be made by the mercurial Goebbels. The story concerns a nationwide manhunt for a robber and woman-abductor called "Gasparone". In fact, there is no such person: Gasparone has been invented to keep the cops busy whenever restauranteur Massacio (Oskar Sima) is receiving his latest shipment of contraband coffee. Helping Massacio pull off this subterfuge is his pretty niece Ita (Rokk). The plot thickens when a handsome stranger (Johanne Heesters) is accused of being the elusive Gasparone. Appearing as Maria Rokk's screen partner is Leo Slezak, the opera-star father of Walter Slezak. Gasparone proved to be yet another hit for Rokk and Jacoby, who would later solidify their collaboration via marriage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leo Slezak, Oska Sima, (more)
- 1937
The title of this German musical translates as Seven Boxes on the Ear, referring to the painful punishment doled out to financier Anton Terbanks (Alfred Abel). Thanks to a run on Wall Street caused by Terbanks' financial finagling, Scotsman MacFab (Willy Fritsch) loses his life savings of seven pounds. Running directly to the newspapers, MacFab spreads the word that Terbanks is the enemy of the "little man." Hoping to avoid further embarrassment, Terbanks agrees to allow MacFab to box his ears in public every day for seven days -- then tries to figure a way to wriggle out of his agreement. The dilemma is resolved when MacFab falls in love with Terbanks' daughter Daisy (Lillian Harvey), but not before she herself is clobbered on the ear at least once. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alfred Abel, Lilian Harvey, (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)
- 1936
For the benefit of those not conversant in German militarese, Wieberregiment translates as Feminine Regime. Set in Bavaria, this comedy deals with what happens when pretty brewery manager Rosi (Heli Finkenzeller) is informed that a male guardian named Korbiman (Theodor Danninger) has been assigned to take care of her elderly aunt, the factory's owner. Overstepping his authority, Korbiman takes over the brewery and begins making a mess of things. In retaliation, Rosi fires all the male workers and replaces them with women, hoping to prove that men are utterly unnecessary to the operation. She makes her point, but that doesn't stop her from falling in love with handsome ex-employee Alois (Hermann Erhardt) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Heli Finkenzeller, Oska Sima, (more)
- 1936
Henrik Ibsen's 1877 play Samfundets Stotter (Pillars of Society) was the source for this German drama. The plot centers upon a flagrant case of municipal corruption, carried out by the town's "finest" people. The selfishness of the elite results in widespread tragedy, yet still the perpetrators hypocritically blame everyone but themselves. The director of Stutzen der Gesellschaft was Detlef Sierck, who as "Douglas Sirk" would later expose the peccadilloes of the rich and powerful in such American films as Written on the Wind. The Ibsen original was earlier adapted to the screen in 1915, with H. B. Walthall in the lead. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Heinrich George, Maria Krahn, (more)
- 1936
Glueckskinder (Children of Fortune) serves as yet another sprightly vehicle for European film favorites Lilian Harvey and Willy Fritsch. Unlike the stars' previous musical concoctions, this one takes place in New York City (or a reasonable facsimile constructed on the UFA back lot). To save Ann Garden (Harvey) from going to jail, reporter Gil Taylor (Fritsch) pretends to be married to her. Gallantly, he hides her identity from his own newspaper's society columnist, and gets fired as a result. The rest of the picture finds Ann and Gil trying to "play house" without such niceties as a steady income. Near the end, the story goes off on a new tangent when it is suspected that Ann is the long-lost niece of a millionaire; she isn't, but Gil's coverage of the story gets him his job back, and everyone lives (presumably) happily ever after. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lilian Harvey, Willy Fritsch, (more)
- 1936
Marika Roekk, a favorite of German audiences if not German critics, dispenses charm by the bucketful in Leichte Kavallerie. The star is cast as Rosika, a young Budapest girl who becomes the darling of a travelling circus troupe. Ultimately, she must choose between a career in the Big Top and the love of hero Palato (Hans A. Schlettow). So far as the critics were concerned, the acting honors were stolen from the pretty but marginally talented Roekk by Fritz Kampers as Cherubini, a villainous clown. Leichte Kavallerie was based on a Hungarian stage play which, believe it or not, was just as spectacular and elaborate as the film version. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marika Rökk, Fritz Kampers, (more)
- 1936
The title of this German musical comedy translates as A Song, A Kiss, A Girl. Who could ask for anything more? Well, the critics in 1936 did ask for more, carping that the film's storyline, about the romance between an aspiring actress and an incognito millionaire, was a veritable festival of cliches. Also subjected to critical lambasting was the by-the-numbers climax, as the hero buys out the entire house on the opening night of the heroine's stage debut. Audiences didn't care if they'd seen this story a million times before: they were enchanted by the winning performances of stars Gustav Froelich and Martha Eggerth. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gustav Froehlich, Marta Eggerth, (more)
- 1936
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
- Starring:
- Anny Ondra, Renée Saint-Cyr, (more)
- 1936
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
- Starring:
- Lucie Englisch, Josef Eichheim, (more)
