Cinema - German films

German cinema: Comedy

Die Austernprinzessin (1919)

Ernst Lubitsch

Mr Quaker is America’s Oyster King, a millionaire businessman whose seafood empire is unsurpassed. But his daughter Ossi is unimpressed by his status and spends most of her time wrecking his house in her frequent temper tantrums. The cause of Ossi’s latest upset is news that a shoe cream magnate has married his daughter off to a count... [More...]

Les Aventures de Till L’Espiègle (1956)

Gérard Philipe

In the 15th Century, Flanders is governed by Spain, although the inhabitants of the village of Damme appear to be happily unconcerned by this fact. When one patrol of Spanish soldiers is swallowed up by sinking sands, the villagers are punished by another patrol. With the village set alight and several villagers, including his father, dead, the young troublemaker Till swears he will have his revenge... [More...]

Die Bergkatze (1921)

Ernst Lubitsch

In the mountain town of Piffkaneiro, hundreds of desolate women gather to bid a sad farewell to Lieutenant Alexis, the popular military man who has touched all their hearts and left each one of them with a permanent reminder of their liaison, in the form of a child. Alexis may be a first-class lover but he is a lousy soldier, so to punish him for neglecting his duties he is sent to a fortress in the icy wasteland outside Piffkaneiro... [More...]

Die Drei von der Tankstelle (1930)

Wilhelm Thiele

Returning home from a holiday, three friends – Willy, Kurt and Hans – learn they are bankrupt. Their fortune has evaporated and their possessions are being seized by the bailiffs. Undeterred, the three friends sell their car and open a petrol station, taking turns to man the petrol pump. Each has, as his first customer, Lilian, a beautiful young woman who easily wins his heart... [More...]

Die Feuerzangenbowle (1944)

Helmut Weiss

Four old men, gathered around a steaming punch bowl, reminisce over their happy school days. A younger, middle-aged, man joins them. His name is Johannes Pfeiffer, a successful writer who, as a boy, was taught at home and so missed out on the dubious advantages of a normal school education. Persuaded by the four other men, Johannes has himself enrolled in a state school... [More...]

Ich möchte kein Mann sein (1918)

Ernst Lubitsch

Young Ossi rebels against her authoritarian aunt and uncle by smoking, drinking and playing cards. If only she were a man she would be free to do all the things she enjoys! She gets her opportunity when her uncle goes away on a business trip. She dresses herself up as a man and goes off to a ball for an evening of unfettered masculine debauchery... [More...]

Kohlhiesels Töchter (1920)

Ernst Lubitsch

Bavarian innkeeper Mathias Kohlhiesel has two daughters who could not be more different. Whereas Gretl is attractive, good-natured and cheerful, her sister Liesel is dowdy, irritable and moody. Peter Xaver is in love with Gretl, but her father will not allow her to marry until Liesel has been taken off his hands... [More...]

Die Puppe (1919)

Ernst Lubitsch

Lancelot is a sensitive young man who enjoys the carefree life of a bachelor. Imagine then his undiluted horror when he is summoned to his uncle, the wealthy Baron of Chanterelle, and told that he must marry in order to preserve the family line. Forty eligible brides are assembled, all eager to tie the connubial knot with the man who is soon to inherit a fortune, but Lancelot would rather die a hundred deaths than get married once... [More...]

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