Cinema
Café Elektric
Gustav Ucicky · 1927
Synopsis
Vienna. Erni, the spoilt daughter of the wealthy businessman Göttlinger, falls in love with Ferdl, a handsome pickpocket and pimp, and steals a ring for him from her father's safe. But Ferdl uses the ring to keep a hold on Hansi, a girl from the Café Elektric, who has become involved with Max, an engineer employed by Göttlinger. They all meet one evening at the café, where the ring on Hansi's finger does not go unnoticed.
Context
The film is based on a successful play by Felix Fischer, Die Liebesbörse, and was at first to be called Prostitution, a title the censors would have received badly. It was the last production of Count Kolowrat, already very ill. Willi Forst, who was then appearing with Marlene Dietrich in the play Broadway in Vienna, insisted on his partner despite the production's reluctance. The sets are by Artur Berger. The film was released on 25 November 1927.
Who it is for
A silent film of about an hour and a half, a drama of manners in the taste of the period, watched first of all for its performers.
Prizes and reception
One of Marlene Dietrich's first major roles, three years before the film that made her famous.
Sources for this page 11
The pages consulted to check this page.