The Three Penny Opera (1931)

The Three Penny Opera
Directed by G.W. Pabst
Written by Bertold Brecht
1931/Germany
Tobis Filmkunst/Nero Film AG/in association with Warner Bros.
IMDb page
Repeat viewing/Criterion Channel

You know when that shark bites with his teeth, babe
Scarlet billows start to spread
Fancy gloves, though, wears old Macheath, babe
So there’s never, never a trace of red — English lyrics to “Mack the Knife” as performed by Bobby Darin

G.W. Pabst serves up a great film adaptation of the Brecht/Weill musical play.

The setting is London, England.  A street singer  (Ernst Busch) bookends the story with a gruesome rendition of “Mack the Knife”.  Mackie Messer (Rudolf Forster) is a master criminal and gang leader that gets away with his evil deeds due to his friendship with the Chief of Police Tiger Brown.

Mackie spots Polly Peachum, daughter of the King of Beggars Peachum (Fritz Rasp), on the street and woos her.  They have a lavish wedding featuring all stolen finery and wedding presents in an abandoned warehouse at 2 a.m.

Polly’s father is not happy to say the least.  Neither is Mackie’s favorite prostitute Jenny (Lotte Lenya).  Peachum threatens to let loose 2,000 beggars during the coronation parade Tiger is in charge of unless Tiger does something about Mackie.  Mackie goes on the run.  Polly figures it is easier and less risky to steal through a legitimate bank.  The gang rises to the occasion.

Oh, I love this version of the Brecht/Weill operetta. It just drips Weimar decadence, corruption and forboding. The acting is fantastic and the production is so stylish the frames could leap out from a German expressionist painting. Highly recommended.

Bobby Darin sings “Mack the Knife” on the Ed Sullivan Show