Ferdinand Bonn

Only You

Only You is a 1930 musical by Hermann Feiner and Willi Wolff starring Fritz Schulz and Walter Janssen.

The Great Passion

This is a real curiosity; at best a reasonable film, but also a charming little gem. There is a story (in the line of "A Star is Born"), but this merely serves as an excuse, as it is more importantly a kind of moving encyclopedia of about 35 stars making their debut in a talkie (although some of them had already made one talkie), of the technical sound possibilities and of film making. Besides all that, it is entertaining and sometimes hilarious and it has fine one-liners that split my side. The film is also remarkable for making mock of typical German film genres (like the overly sweet romances involving the military), of too heavy acting and of film making in general. I have to mention this one: a short, hysterically funny parody of "Der blaue Engel". What this film in fact says is: do not take any film too seriously. (J. Steed)

A Crazy Night

Tales of Hoffmann

This movie, directed by Richard Oswald, is based on the operetta "Les contes de Hoffmann" by Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880), which is a genial musical potpourri from various short stories and novels by the Prussian writer, composer, painter, lawyer and judge E.T.A. Hoffmann (1776-1822). While Hoffmann's literary work was longtime considered to be merely fantastical, it was finally researched, in the last years, according to its metaphysical background. Characteristic for Hoffmann's work is his life-long fight against rationalism and for the revelation of nature morte, culminating mostly in carnival-like scenes anticipating literary techniques only described in the works of Bachtin and Bachelard.

Das Schweigen am Starnbergersee

This is a very early feature by Rolf Raffé concerning the supposedly "mad" King of Bavaria, Ludwig II, probably the first feature film concerning the life of that King. In the piece, which is for the most part a straightforwards historical biopic from the DW Griffith school of narrative filmmaking, Ludwig is portrayed as an Idealist who cannot fit into the world of his contemporaries.

Rasputins Liebesabenteuer

Portrays the deep intrigue and mystical fanaticism of the last days of the Romanoffs, when Rasputin, the mad monk had such a hold over them.

Graf Michael

A count with a gambling addiction is set up with the daughter of a minister by his father, who hopes she will be a good influence on him.

The White Horse Inn

Based on the play of the same name by Oskar Blumenthal and Gustav Kadelburg.

Rags and Silk

At the center of this social satire is the wealthy and bored couple Irene and Erik. When Erik meets Hilde, who comes from a humble background, one evening in a chic club, he sees an opportunity for the couple to sexually spice up their worn-out relationship and to escape through a ménage à trois.

Lache, Bajazzo!