User reviews

Best song: 'Frag' nicht Warum' (Don't ask me why) Performer: Marcel Wittrisch

This German language movie was remade in 1933 with Bebe Daniels in the lead versus Liane Haid in this production. It is impossible not to compare them as 90% of these movies are not just similar but almost the same (many scenes are short the exact same way with almost the same dialogue and both films use the exact same Marionette show footage).

You may be saying, consequently, that the British remake just copied this film. Well, yes and no. The issue with this German production is that the plot centers around a rich woman attracted to a relatively poor man but the actor (Willi Forst) playing this role comes across as a young John Mills (capable, smart, handsome and one who can sing), whereas in the 1933 version this role was played by Hungarian Victor Varconi. Varconi comes across as an old Europe sophisticated gentleman, albeit poor and he does a great job balancing his desires and lack of expectations.

In short, it almost is not believable that the very sophisticated Liane Haid could fall for the poor character portrayed ably by Willi Forst. Bebe Daniels plays her role with a bit less sophistication and Hungarian Victor Varconi (who made about 75 silent pictures in Europe) comes across as sophisticated to possible bridge this gap between the two leads.

If such is your inclination watch both and the fact that the endings of these two movies differs would allow you to do that quite easily.