Directed by Robert Siodmak and Edgar G. Ulmer
Written by Billy Wilder from reportage of Curt Siodmak
1930/Germany
Film Studio 1929/Film Studio Berlin
IMDb page
First viewing/Criterion Channel
Millions long for immortality who don’t know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon. — Susan Ertz
Future Hollywood greats teamed up to make this silent film about young people enjoying a day of leisure in the fading glow of pre-Hitler Berlin.
Two friends, Edwin and Wolf, want to take a break from the everyday grind and decide to pick up a couple of girls for a day of fun. Lothario Wolf picks up Cristl, who invites her best friend Brigitte to make up a foursome. But Wolf decides he likes Brigitte best and seduces her.
As they tire of the two girls, the men starting flirting with new ones. The girls not only don’t get the boyfriends they are looking for, they are left to pay for a paddle boat the two ingrates rented. Monday morning dawns and all Berlin waits for Sunday to come around again.
This is a charming film made with amateur actors. The amateur acting does not slow down the proceedings at all, perhaps because they don’t need to speak. Aside from the main plot, we get delightful portraits of happy Berliners and the city they live in.
Not for you (‘cos you’ll say “I haven’t time for these” LOL) but for those interested in Berlin 1930-50’s a series of detective novels – there is a lot of intrusions by real history German Heirarchy (always fascinated me – an honest cop in Nazi Germany), they are good reads – NOTE NOT published in chronological order
“Who is Bernie Gunther?
Series of historical noir detective thrillers written by Scottish author Philip Kerr (RIP), the Bernie Gunther series takes place before, during and after World War II.”
Lifted from excellent review site (read comments at the bottom also)
https://www.howtoread.me/bernie-gunther-books-in-order/
I love a good mystery. And I am always looking for mystery series for my husband. I think these might be right up his alley. I can’t even keep current on my film reviews sadly.
They’re very good, have read that the Berlin locales are spot-on accurate. A fascinating tale of an honest man in a world gone awry…on a sidenote, If he hasn’t read the Harry Bosch series of detective novels, MUST introduce them. Hands down one of the best reads I’ve had in ages, remember being devestated at the fate of one of the characters and also when the series ran out (it did go on but there was a switch to a new/shared mainish character for a reason that I’d consider spoilerish (after book 20), it just wasn’t the same for me. I was hugely saddened, still am). MUST be read in publishing order IMO. Has been televised in a respected series (unseen). Not quite as good IMO (but still a good read) in a very well written setting (Venice) and with excellent references to family life, is another detective series, the Commissario Brunetti books. Gentler in tone IMO but still good, with the writing on Venice itself outstanding. Ongoing, has been televised in an unsubbed German production (unseen). In order (1) HB (2) BG (3) CB, but all worthwhile. Just a sudden final thought – getting right away from detectives, is the excellent period (Napoleonic) sailing epic, the Aubrey/Maturin series of novels (one was filmed as Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.) beautifully written and is another that I was devestated to come to a sudden end (author passed away). 21 books, should be read in publishing order. I never got into the similar and famed Hornblower series but this one, yeah!
My husband and you seem to have similar tastes! He ate up the Bosch series and the Commissario Brunetti books. I just bought him the first chronologically Bernie Gunther book. He seems to like it so far! Hard to get a detailed review from him on anything. Will know for sure when he asks for the next book.
LOL, good,
Can only (re)stress, the aubrey-maturin series, yes it’s NOT drama/mystery etc BUT it is **extremely** readable – I read them literally 10+ years ago and still remember how satisfying it was…. (feed him a couple and see, author Patrick O’Brian)
going on with the similar tastes theme and drama/mystery –
author Lawrence Block is quite good,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Block
and the three “The girl …” books AKA The Millenium Trilogy, by Steig Larson – the female shared lead Lisbeth is brilliantly written…I can still remember how much it “hurt” when she intermitantly lost the focus to her co-lead (who is entirely fine, but) – made as better than OK movies (subs needed, Scandavaian produced is best) but books easily best, easily gotten in English.
Unread, but heard good things
Harry Hole series
Visually (9/10) **series**, season 1 only for both, found them **extremely** watchable – in order
The Bridge……….. NOTE **MUST** be the Scandanavian original – it was so popular it was remade by other countries so beware eg UK/France ‘The Tunnel’ from memory
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1733785/
The Killing (same caveats as above)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0826760/
yes both need subs (IMO, hate dubs) and both require a time investment but if he’s anything like me, kiss the TV goodbye for a few nights LOL.
“bought”??, you’ll go broke with all of these…suggest join a public library (if possible and not already a member) – very good network here, free – bar late return fines, had a few of those!, no idea for USA.
Hope all that helps.
I think the current series will occupy him for some time to come. He sleeps a lot.
It’s on HBO Max. Which I don’t have at home.
But I pet-sit for some people who have it, and I’ve almost watched it several times. They’re going away again in February. Maybe I’ll watch it then.
It’s pretty good. I saw it on the Criterion Channel, which I subscribe to.