Viktor and Viktoria (1933)
"Viktor und Viktoria" (original title)

Aspiring singer Susanne takes over for ham actor Viktor at a small cabaret in Berlin where he works a woman impersonator and per chance she's discovered by an agent, who thinks, that she ... See full summary »

Director:

Reinhold Schünzel

Writer:

Reinhold Schünzel

Stars:

Renate Müller, Hermann Thimig, Hilde Hildebrand

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Renate Müller	...	Susanne Lohr
Hermann Thimig	...	Viktor Hempel
Hilde Hildebrand	...	Ellinor
Friedel Pisetta	...	Lilian
Fritz Odemar	...	Douglas
Aribert Wäscher	...	Francesco Alberto Punkertin
Anton Walbrook	...	Robert (as Adolf Wohlbrück)
Ernst Behmer	...	(as Behmer)
Georg Georgi	...	(as Georgi)
Goroll
Karl Harbacher	...	(as Harbacher)
Trude Lehmann	...	(as Lehmann)
Henry Lorenzen	...	(as Lorenzen)
Herbert Paulmüller	...	(as Paulmüller)
Rudolf Platte	...	(as Platte)

Storyline

Aspiring singer Susanne takes over for ham actor Viktor at a small cabaret in Berlin where he works a woman impersonator and per chance she's discovered by an agent, who thinks, that she really is a man. She becomes famous, but her situation becomes troublesome, when she falls in love with Robert.

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Plot Keywords:

character name in title

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

27 January 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

Viktor and Viktoria

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universum Film (UFA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Klangfilm)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Alternate-language version of Georges et Georgette (1934)

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Soundtracks

"Rosen und Liebe"
Music by Franz Doelle
Words by Bruno Balz

User Reviews

an operetta! who knew?

The startling thing about the original "Victor and Victoria" is its operetta-like form with significant dramatic interactions presented in rhyme, either sung or in recitative. Reinhold Schunzel (who later appeared to outstanding effect in such American films as "Hangmen Also Die" and "Notorious") directs stylishly with sometimes over-obvious flair, milking laughs from the physical comedy of the leads—namely, the energetic Hermann Thimig as the female impersonator who catches cold and persuades an ambitious young performer (Renate Muller) to sub for him. She becomes a huge hit overnight. The dashing Adolf Wohlbruck (later Anton Walbrook of "Red Shoes" fame) is the gentleman who falls in love with her after discovering "he" is a "she."

One odd bit: when Wohlbruck takes Muller to a barbershop for a shave and she removes her jacket it is very clear from her anatomy that she is a female, but no one notices. Why then did the filmmakers do nothing to flatten her chest?