Michael Bohnen Movies

This 1943 film, produced at the UFA studios in West Germany, was refurbished by Friedrich-Wilhelm-Murnau Foundation to mark the 50th anniversary of that studio. The Nazi director of propaganda, Joseph Goebbels, wanted a big internationally acceptable production to celebrate the studio's 25th anniversary, and the Münchausen story was chosen. It was thought suitable for Germans of the time, because of the ridiculous light in which it shows other nationalities. Baron von Münchausen (1720-97) was an eccentric figure in European history, whose tall tales about his adventures rival anything to be found in the legends of Paul Bunyan, or of the classical figure of Odysseus; they are similar in tone to the stories in Gulliver's Travels. The Baron's tales have been favored reading by the young-at-heart for centuries. This film recounts some of the episodes from the Baron's "autobiographical" stories, which are set in the world of the eighteenth century. In the story, the Baron's 1940s descendant narrates some of the Baron's famous tales; it gradually becomes clear that the original Baron attained immortality, and that his modern descendant is actually the original Baron. The American-born director Terry Gilliam made another film based on these tales in 1988, also titled The Adventures of Baron Münchausen. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

This Italian-German co-production was released in English-speaking countries as Mother Song. Italian opera favorites Beniamino Gigli and Maria Cebotari star in this tale about the romance between two temperamental singing stars. Highlights include a lengthy selection from Faust, with Gigli making a most impressive Mephistopheles. The plot takes a melodramatic turn towards the climax, with the lives of the characters mirrored in their on-stage behavior. Director Carmine Gallone was something of an expert in the field of filmed opera, as witness his Tosca, Rigoletto and Il Trovatore. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

King August the Strong was how this German historical pageant was billed in English-speaking countries. Michael Bohnen, a popular opera singer of the period, stars as the famed Saxon king of the title. August spends the better part of the picture fighting with King Charles of Sweden (Gunther Handack) over the possession of Poland. Charles is ultimately defeated by the Russians, allowing August to stake his claim in Polish terror. In essence, August Der Starke seems to advocate the subjugation of another country for the glory of the Fatherland (ironically, Germany's 20th-century invasion of Poland would serve as the spark for WWII). Beyond its propagandistic content, the film boasts several lavish "bacchanal" scenes, an apparent specialty of noted actor-director Paul Wegener. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Viktoria (Friedl Schuster) is the wife of the American Ambassador of Peking. The Hussar (Michael Bohnen) is a Hungarian military officer, and Viktoria's former sweetheart. Captured by the Russians, the hero escapes to Peking, where he is given shelter by Viktoria. Their love is soon rekindled, whereupon Viktoria divorces her incredibly understanding husband and accompanies her Hussar to Vienna. This hackneyed storyline was not what attracted German audiences to this lavish operetta: Rather, it was the rich singing voice of Friedl Schuster, whose enthusiastic performance helps keep the soggier plot developments afloat. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The "two neckties" referred to in the title are all that separates the gentlemen from the bums, at least so far as the script is concern. Required to wear a black tie on the job, temporary waiter Jean (Michael Bohnen) is accosted by a gentlemen thief, who, hoping to elude the cops, offers to pay 1,000 marks if Jean will exchange ties with him. Upon donning the crook's white neckwear, Jean is immediately mistaken for a man of means, whereupon he enters into a whirlwind romance with wealthy American Mabel (Olga Tshekova), who spirits him away to Florida. Upon realizing that he's way out of his league, Jean hotfoots it back to Europe, where he settles down with his longtime sweetie Trude (Trude Glieske). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide