Die Drei von der Tankstelle (1930)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Wilhelm Thiele

Writers:

Franz Schulz (writer) and
Paul Frank (writer)

Release Date:

20 October 1930 (Finland)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Plot:

Willy, Kurt and Hans are broke, so they sell their car and open a filling station. Then they all fall in love vor the same girl. |

Plot Keywords:

Flirtation | Shallow | Swinging | Spoof | Gas Station

Cast

Lilian Harvey	...	Lilian Cossmann
Willy Fritsch	...	Willy
Oskar Karlweis	...	Kurt
Heinz Rühmann	...	Hans
Fritz Kampers	...	Konsul Cossmann
Olga Tschechowa	...	Edith von Turoff
Kurt Gerron	...	Dr. Kalmus
Gertrud Wolle	...	Secretary
Felix Bressart	...	Bailiff
Leo Monosson
Comedian Harmonists	...	Themselves
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Robert Biberti	...	Himself (as Comedian Harmonists)
Erwin Bootz	...	Himself (as Comedian Harmonists)
Erich A. Collin	...	Himself (as Comedian Harmonists)
Roman Cycowski	...	Himself (as Comedian Harmonists)
Harry Frommermann	...	Himself (as Comedian Harmonists)
Ari Leschnikoff	...	Himself (as Comedian Harmonists)

Also Known As:

Three Good Friends (USA)
Three from the Gasoline Station (USA) (informal literal English title)

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Tobis-Klangfilm)

Certification:

Germany:(Banned) (1933-1945)

Filming Locations:

Neubabelsberg, Brandenburg, Germany

Company:

Universum Film (UFA)

Trivia:

The movie was the first operetta made by German studio UFA.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Das hab ich von Papa gelernt (1964)

Soundtrack:

Halloh! Du süße Frau!

a charming musical comedy

"Die Drei von der Tankstelle" (Three Good Friends) is really a charming film. It was released in 1930, so I guess it was filmed in 1929. As the Great Crash happened in 24th October of that year and the crisis effects would only be felt in Europe some months later, I think the film was not an answer to the Great Depression (but it could as well be). Germany, anyway since the end of the First World War lived in a state of permanent crisis, but as we know crisis can many times stimulate the creativity - see the German Expressionism and see also, for instance, "Die Drei von der Tankstelle" - Yeah! Art is not just Murnau, Fritz Lang etc.., it can be represented by a musical comedy like "Die Drei von der Tankstelle" (Three from the Gasoline Station).

"Die Drei von der Tankstelle" tells the story of three rich friends that suddenly lose everything they have (this tastes like Depression!), including house, furniture and all, and have to work for the first time in their lives. They open a gasoline station and meet a girl that will conquer their three hearts. This intrigue will challenge their friendship. This is the basis of the story that is punctuated by hilarious gags and musical numbers. This is really a feel-good film, that at the same time is very creative and funny. The actors look like they are having lots of fun.

Highly recommended! I don't understand why this film is not mentioned together with other great musical films. And pay attention: This is not just another film with an indifferent plot sprinkled with musical numbers - music and plot work very well together and the result is this charming film. Go for it!