Sweetheart of the Gods (1960)
"Liebling der Götter" (original title)

Biography of the famous German actress Renate Mueller, who died in 1937 under unsettled circumstances; While doing her first movie for the UFA in Berlin, she meets the elderly ... See full summary »

Director:

Gottfried Reinhardt

Writer:

George Hurdalek

Stars:

Ruth Leuwerik, Peter van Eyck, Harry Meyen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ruth Leuwerik	...	Renate Mueller
Peter van Eyck	...	Dr. Hans Simon
Harry Meyen	...	Volker Hellberg
Robert Graf	...	Dr. Hertel
Hannelore Schroth	...	Uschi Gunzel
Leonard Steckel	...	Furst
Willy Fritsch	...	Gunzel
Werner Fuetterer	...	Harry de Cassian
Friedrich Domin	...	Herr Matthieu
Lia Eibenschütz	...	Frau Simon
Elsa Wagner	...	Frau Lengefeld
Tilly Lauenstein
Walter Clemens
Hans W. Hamacher	...	Minister
Bruno W. Pantel	...	Juwelier Artinger

Storyline

Biography of the famous German actress Renate Mueller, who died in 1937 under unsettled circumstances; While doing her first movie for the UFA in Berlin, she meets the elderly secretary-general Dr. Simon and is impressed by his charm. Although her Nazi-friend Volker discourages her to befriend a Jew, they start dating. While she ascends to one of the most famous German actresses of her time, Simon is suffering more and more under the Nazi regime.

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Plot Keywords:

nazi | world war two | showbiz

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Details

Country:

West Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

12 April 1960 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Sweetheart of the Gods

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Central Cinema Company Film (CCC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

User Reviews

Leuwerik's best

Much underrated German superstar Ruth Leuwerik, who gained enormous popularity as the noble, long suffering heroine of kitschy melodramas was already on the downward slide when she gave her best performance ever.

Cast against type as UFA star Renate Mueller (best remembered for her joyful 'Viktor und Viktoria' and the jolly 'Die Privatsekretaerin', singing 'Ich bin ja heut so gluecklich'), Miss Leuwerik gives the most subtle und quiet impression of the much maligned star. Alas, the only low point in this admirable film comes when Miss Leuwerik tries to sing the catchy tunes of Miss Mueller's trademark song.

Altogether the tricky subject is handled with admirable taste, the script is devoid of lurid details or shrill melodramatics. Instead it's a heart wrenching tale of suffering, loneliness and despair.

Miss Leuwerik had only one good role left to play - the arty and uneven adaptation of 'Die Rote' - when she finally called it a day and retired, with fame and beauty still intact.