
Karel Lamač
Directing
Biography
Karel Lamač (1897 – 1952) was a Czech film director, actor, screenwriter, producer and singer. After starting as a combat cameraman in WW1, Lamač went on to direct more than 100 films in Czechoslovakia, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Born: January 27, 1897
Place of Birth: Prague
Known For

The Ideal Schoolmaster
This light-hearted comedy operetta tells the story of a newly appointed high school professor who becomes an ideal target for pranks and jokes.

Father Vojtech
Father Vojtech (Czech: Páter Vojtěch) is a 1929 silent Czech romance film directed by Martin Frič.

Duchacek Will Fix It
Mr. Ducháček runs the law firm of JUDr. Faukner in a peculiar but completely devoted manner, which manages the financial affairs of the Rispaldic family. The family members treat their lawyer Faukner with condescension, except for their daughter Julia, who secretly loves him. However, no one except Ducháček knows that the squandering family no longer has any money and that JUDr. Faukner is subsidizing it, because he is also secretly in love with Julia.

Milování zakázáno
After many years, three friends are to meet in Prague. The magician Marek was in America and, together with his nephew Tonny, they are bringing back their hard-earned money to their homeland. The factory owner Brejcha lives alone. His wife and daughter drove him to bankruptcy and abandoned him. The eternal student Netušil arrives from the countryside with his loving wife, the owner of a greengrocer's shop, and his daughter Anča. In the meantime, the creditors have completely evicted Brejcha's villa. Marek mentioned in a letter that he would like to marry his nephew to Brejcha's daughter. Little did he know, in order to help Brejcha, he comes up with a plan. His wife and daughter will become Brejcha's family and the money received from Marek will help the bankrupt factory owner pay off all his debts.

The Good Soldier Švejk
The first film treatment of the fate of the good soldier Švejk, a dog dealer from Prague, who is arrested after the Sarajevo assassination, psychiatrically examined and later called up to c. and k. army to fight for the emperor lord.

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)

The Arrival from the Darkness
One of the first Czechoslovak films to be shown abroad--a fantasy horror, filmed on the fully furnished premises of the Berlin film studio Am Zoo. The central role is portrayed by the “arrivee from darkness”, Ješek, who is awakened from a deathly sleep. The film represents unusual sparks of creative efforts and the ambitions of creative community around the director Jan S. Kolár, who was inspired by international trends and techniques.

Helen of Troy
Helena is a 1924 German silent drama film directed by Manfred Noa and starring Edy Darclea, Vladimir Gajdarov and Albert Steinrück. The film was based on the poem the Iliad by Homer. It was released in two separate parts: The Rape of Helen and The Fall of Troy. It was produced by Bavaria Film at the Emelka Studios in Munich. The film was made on an epic scale with thousands of extras, and large sets which rivalled those of the larger Berlin-based UFA.

The Poisoned Light
Professor Grant signs a contract with Dr. Selin for the sale of his invention of cold light with the plans for his invention being kept in Grant's apartment. The negotiations are secretly heard by the illusionist Durk, who wants to seize the invention. A few days later Selín is found dead, killed by a light bulb filled with poisonous gas. Durk performs at the birthday party of Grant's daughter Anna and seizes the plans for the invention.

White Paradise
After a young man is arrested for a crime he didn't commit, the daughter of the local tavern owners must spring to the rescue.
Filmography
as Self – Director
as Tonny
as Václav Bulfínek
as Tommy Fikejs
as Dr. Vojtěch Lípa
as JUDr. Anatol Brynda
as Karel Suchý
as Himself
as Vojtech
as Ivan Holar
as Herzog
as Patroklos
as Tom Darey
as Karel Svansen
as Ing. Milan Bell
as Jesek Drazický