In the 1930s, when cinema was still relatively young, movie makers were already trying to top each other interesting looking opening credits (which were in fact the only credits). In the case of 'Op Stap' (On the Move), the main actors are presented last, and are indeed listed as being 'on the move'. For with each name that is shown on screen (accompanied by their film character) we see the legs of the actor in question walking across a stage. I suppose some of these could have been body doubles, but that doesn't spoil the fun. As we reach the final credit, Louis Davids as piano tuner Janus Fortuin, the camera pans up as he sits down at a piano and the film begins.
Janus is a kindhearted man who fore-goes his own fee when he finds out his prospected son in law George (Frits van Dongen) is about to lose his piano to moneylenders. Mrs Fortuin is the exact opposite: a money grabbing landlady who is perfectly willing to squeeze everything out of her lodgers and bosses her husband around. The Mrs is played by Heintje Davids, Louis Davids real life sister. This sort of thing would probably raise a few eyebrows these days, but just like Donnie & Marie in the Seventies, the Davids siblings were popular entertainers at the time who most likely had played similar parts on stage before. Despite her big mouth and self serving personality, Heintje is actually quite restrained in this picture compared to some other film appearances (such as "Een Koninkrijk Voor Een Huis").
Although Fien de la Mar gets top billing as "Bella Ramona, the movie star", she merely provides some musical numbers and a glamorous supporting part. The culture clash between the poor songwriters Janus & George and those who have already made it in the world is important to the film, but is much more represented by the character of uncle Barend (Adolphe Engers). It is this Uncle, who has made it big as a landowner in Indonesia, who is actually the only character that is 'on the move' (as in traveling). For he decides to board a KLM plane and surprise his Dutch family with a visit. But as soon as he meets Mrs Fortuin, the only family member who actually lives up to his surname (Fortune) decides on the spot to pose as a wealthy lodger instead.
Of course this leads to a lot of misunderstandings. Mrs. Fortuin now wants her daughter Polly (Jopie Koopman) to marry the rich stranger rather than poor musician George. Uncle Barend, calling himself ' Van Santen' meets Bella Ramona, movie star, and gets Janus to tune her piano. Janus in turn gives one of his compositions to George and also points him towards Bella. Ramona then begins to prefer George's company over Uncle Barend (who she had already instructed to shave off his enormous goatee). This of course leads to jealousy from most of the other members of the Fortuin family.
Things get even more complicated when drunken uncle Barend accidentally breaks one of Bella's statues and shakily writes her a check under his real name. Before long poor old Janus Fortuin is being questioned by the police for forgery and his wife is accusing him of being unfaithful. Of course all will end up well in this jolly romp directed by Ernst Winar, one of the many German directors who sought out work abroad after Hitler's rise to power. And while George finally achieves some fame as a songwriter, the man who actually wrote it, Janus, stays true to his own motto: 'those born under worth only 10 cents will never amount to more'. This is the basis for a recurring song in the film that became a big hit and is still known today. Ironically, according to Wikipedia, Louis Davids went on to receive the main credit for writing this number, while it was actually conceived by scriptwriter Jacques van Tol. Oh how fickle fate can be.
7 out of 10
Janus is a kindhearted man who fore-goes his own fee when he finds out his prospected son in law George (Frits van Dongen) is about to lose his piano to moneylenders. Mrs Fortuin is the exact opposite: a money grabbing landlady who is perfectly willing to squeeze everything out of her lodgers and bosses her husband around. The Mrs is played by Heintje Davids, Louis Davids real life sister. This sort of thing would probably raise a few eyebrows these days, but just like Donnie & Marie in the Seventies, the Davids siblings were popular entertainers at the time who most likely had played similar parts on stage before. Despite her big mouth and self serving personality, Heintje is actually quite restrained in this picture compared to some other film appearances (such as "Een Koninkrijk Voor Een Huis").
Although Fien de la Mar gets top billing as "Bella Ramona, the movie star", she merely provides some musical numbers and a glamorous supporting part. The culture clash between the poor songwriters Janus & George and those who have already made it in the world is important to the film, but is much more represented by the character of uncle Barend (Adolphe Engers). It is this Uncle, who has made it big as a landowner in Indonesia, who is actually the only character that is 'on the move' (as in traveling). For he decides to board a KLM plane and surprise his Dutch family with a visit. But as soon as he meets Mrs Fortuin, the only family member who actually lives up to his surname (Fortune) decides on the spot to pose as a wealthy lodger instead.
Of course this leads to a lot of misunderstandings. Mrs. Fortuin now wants her daughter Polly (Jopie Koopman) to marry the rich stranger rather than poor musician George. Uncle Barend, calling himself ' Van Santen' meets Bella Ramona, movie star, and gets Janus to tune her piano. Janus in turn gives one of his compositions to George and also points him towards Bella. Ramona then begins to prefer George's company over Uncle Barend (who she had already instructed to shave off his enormous goatee). This of course leads to jealousy from most of the other members of the Fortuin family.
Things get even more complicated when drunken uncle Barend accidentally breaks one of Bella's statues and shakily writes her a check under his real name. Before long poor old Janus Fortuin is being questioned by the police for forgery and his wife is accusing him of being unfaithful. Of course all will end up well in this jolly romp directed by Ernst Winar, one of the many German directors who sought out work abroad after Hitler's rise to power. And while George finally achieves some fame as a songwriter, the man who actually wrote it, Janus, stays true to his own motto: 'those born under worth only 10 cents will never amount to more'. This is the basis for a recurring song in the film that became a big hit and is still known today. Ironically, according to Wikipedia, Louis Davids went on to receive the main credit for writing this number, while it was actually conceived by scriptwriter Jacques van Tol. Oh how fickle fate can be.
7 out of 10
