Viktor de Kowa Movies
- 1933
Because of his Jewish heritage, fabled German singing star Joseph Schmidt was forced out of his native country in the 1930s by Hitler's minions. He moved to France, where he was likewise banished when the Nazis marched into Paris in 1940. Two years later, Schmidt died in a Swiss internment camp. Thus, the "new" 1951 release The Joseph Schmidt Story, wherein the star played himself, was not new at all but a reissue of the 1933 film Ein Leid Geht Um Die Welt (filmed simultaneously in German and English versions). The storyline is the old one about the immensely popular showbiz celeb who is unable to find lasting romantic happiness. Unlucky in love, Joseph Schmidt is incredibly fortunate in his chosen profession, and the film ends as Schmidt achieves lasting fame as a radio and recording star. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Josef Schmidt, Viktor de Kowa, (more)
- 1932
Der Stolz der 3. Kompagnie (Pride of the Third Company) is set amongst the ranks of the Prussian army. All the standard "military" cliches are in attendance, including the heroic coward, the cowardly hero, the young husband who dies just after learning he's a father, and the rest. Heinz Ruhmann leads a large and stellar German cast, all of whom deliver performances that transcend the hackneyed material. For some reason, Army films were extraordinarily popular with German audiences in the early 1930s, virtually guaranteeing a huge box-office return. The film's oddest on-screen credit was bestowed upon Robert Neppach, whose specialty was listed as "architecture"; could he have been the set designer, or did he actually build the sets? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Heinz Rühmann, Anton Walbrook, (more)
- 1932
The title translates as Schoeller Boarding House, which is where 95% of the film's action takes place. The hero, Phillip Klaproth (Jacob Triedke), has been borrowing heavily from his wealthy uncle Alfred (Paul Heidemann), ostensibly to finance his education but actually to pay for his hedonistic lifestyle. When Uncle shows up in town, Phillip hastily tries to put him out of the way so he won't discover the truth. He takes his uncle to a boarding house, claiming that it's a mental hospital which he, Phillip, intends to purchase. Though the boarders aren't really crazy, they're eccentric enough to convince the uncle that Phillip is telling the truth. Pension Schoeller is an agreeable entry in the screwball-comedy genre, its humor predicated almost entirely upon misunderstanding and misrepresentation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jacob Tiedtke, Josefine Dora, (more)
