Even determined movie history enthusiasts rarely come on any pre WW2 Czech films, so this one works up interest straight away. It would be more of a find if it were a better film.
Coming from the prolific Any Ondra - Karl Lamac team, it starts off in the bogus sex comedy manner, which would be associated with Ernst Lubitsch but appears to originate with Mauritz Stiller and Gustav Machaty. Even this hope is not to be fulfilled.
Glamorous Anny is sought after by silly ass noble man Zilzer, to the concern of his wife Vida and uncle Piztek. To escape the complications, which include the wife's detective, Anny takes off for the country and, while she's dipping in the lake in her one piece, meets barrel chested local Karl. He's a wannabe artist so Piztek commissions a painting of our heroine to ease the situation.
More scenics, more plot complications and a glum ending ensue.
Anny is more animated than in her couple of Hitchcock films, appearing quite attractive, and the handling is deft, with professional looking images (Otto Heller no less) creating a variety of angles cutting together nicely and a few so so touches of style.
The story however is totally uninvolving and the support cast get little chance.
