Alois Dvorský

Srdce v soumraku

School Is the Foundation of Life

Seventh form pupils at a grammar school in Přívlaky are preparing for a secondary school sports competition. Class creep Krhounek gives the class teacher Lejsal a copy of the seventh form’s magazine Roar. Most of the teachers insist on severe punishing the culprit. The author does not own up and consequently the whole class is punished by being banned from taking part in the schools competition. The most gifted pupil, Benetka, rather sharply criticises the school in a homework essay on a subject of his choice. The strict Czech language teacher is convinced Benetka is the author of the school magazine. Benetka denies the charge but his expulsion from school is proposed anyway on account the views he expounded in his essay. Eventually, Boukal, the author of the school magazine comes forward and admits to writing it. The pupils are allowed to take part in the contest and thanks to Benetka they win. In the meantime however the teachers vote to expell him.

Playing with the Devil

Two marriageable girls, Princess Disperanda and her maid Káča, sign a betrothal with their own blood in exchange for fairy-tale grooms. Although both devilish betrothals accidentally fall into the hands of the brave retired soldier Martin Kabát, the cunning devil Solfernus takes possession of them through cunning, and Martin has no choice but to go to the burning hell.

Story of Souls

The dramatization of the Old Prague short story by the writer Ignát Herrmann is an acting concert by Jan Pivec. In this film from 1964, the actor let all registers of his mature acting sound, from outright comical positions to tones sounding with tragic undertones. And although the character of Vavřinec Konopka clearly dominates in this story, the great actor disciplinedly left enough space for his teammates, especially Jaroslav Marvan, Dana Medřická (her poisonous Petronila is an excellent figure), the modest Libuša Havelková and the bohemian Josef Kemr and everyone else. The director František Filip was actually the conductor here, who got a beautifully coordinated orchestra of soloists at his disposal... But let's go back to the century before last. Where is the dignified and rather burly official Mr. Konopka peláší? And even runs with a jet and without a hat…

Teď zas my

The factory owner Hložek is in a constant dispute with his son Jiří. Jiří wants to modernize the factory, but his father is afraid that the new machines will deprive the workers of their jobs. News of the factory modernization divides the employees into two hostile camps. To prevent unrest, Hložek offers his son money from his mother's inheritance in exchange for his departure. Jiří's biggest opponents include two older employees of the company - the correspondent Málek and the accountant Mazara...

Prstýnek

A young and beautiful princess and her senile husband arrive at a castle near the village. The healthy air is supposed to help them with their busy heir. The princess accidentally meets the village shepherd Sochor and soon gives birth to a son. The young man from the village in question then marries and has only daughters. The princess returns after years with her clever son. He falls in love with Sochor's daughter, but her father drives him with a belt...

The Heroic Captain Korkoran

The captain of the Prague shipping company, Adam Korkorán, lives his dreams of commanding ocean liners, even though in reality he only sails a small steamer on the Vltava River. The company's management still has problems with him, so when Korkorán refuses to retire, they at least send him to a spa. However, at the train station in Poděbrady, a servant from the most expensive spa hotel accidentally takes away his suitcase with the luggage of a rich lady. As a result, Korkorán is mistaken for a corvette captain and a rich man. Dazzled by the luxury, Korkorán befriends a retired admiral and begins to play a game with the spa guests and himself. He is even declared the most popular guest of the season. When he runs out of money, he writes to his housekeeper to send him all his savings. The horrified woman decides to go to Korkorán, and the truth comes out...

Lelíček in the Services of Sherlock Holmes

The Portorican prime minister asks British detective Sherlock Holmes to find a twin for King Fernando XXIII, a weak and frightened man who fears anarchists and does not want to show himself in public. Holmes finds in the Czech newspapers a photo of the perfect double, František Lelíček, a daring bon vivant drowned in debt, so when Holmes offers him money, Lelíček decides to travel to Portorico and play the role.

Holiday with Angel

Strict and always dissatisfied grumbler Mr. Angel gets a voucher for summer recreation. He rejects it at first but he eventually decides to use it and spend 14 days in unionist hut Jezerka together with other merited co-workers.

The Jester's Tale

An anti-war black comedy set during the Thirty Years' War. It follows ploughman Petr, recruiter Matěj and country girl Lenka who get caught up in both sides of the war and experience many adventures before they find happiness. The film combines live action with animation to suggest the artistic style of the engraver Matthäus Merian.