The Punch Bowl (1944)

A successful writer, home-schooled in his youth, masquerades as a student at a secondary school to experience all the fun and pranks he missed out on.

Director:

Helmut Weiss

Writer:

Heinrich Spoerl (novel)

Stars:

Heinz Rühmann, Karin Himboldt, Hilde Sessak

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Heinz Rühmann	...	Dr. Johannes Pfeiffer / Hans Pfeiffer
Karin Himboldt	...	Eva Knauer
Hilde Sessak	...	Marion
Erich Ponto	...	Professor Crey - called Schnauz
Paul Henckels	...	Professor Bömmel
Hans Leibelt	...	Gymnasialdirektor Knauer, called Zeus
Lutz Götz	...	Oberlehrer Dr. Brett
Hans Richter	...	Rosen
Clemens Hasse	...	Rudi Knebel
Hedwig Wangel	...	Haushälterin bei Crey
Anneliese Würtz	...	Frau Windscheidt
Margarete Schön	...	Frau Knauer (as Marg. Schön)
Max Gülstorff	...	Oberschulrat
Egon Vogel	...	Musiklehrer Fridolin
Rudi Schippel	...	Luck

Storyline

Hans Pfeiffer and some of his friends are drinking "Feuerzangenbowle". Talking about their school-time they discover that Hans never was at a regular school and so, as they think, missed an important part of his youth. They decide to send him back to school to do all the things he never could do before.

---

Plot Keywords:

german humor | classroom | actor plays same role in this remake | pupil | gymnasium | 

---

Taglines:

Dieser Film ist ein Loblieb auf die Schule, aber es ist möglich, daß die Schule es nicht merkt.

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

7 April 1944 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

Aikamiestä lapsettaa

Filming Locations:

Kurpark, Hotel Badehof, Bad Salzschlirf, Hessen, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Terra-Filmkunst

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Was filmed during World War II in Potsdam near Berlin. Filming had to be constantly stopped because of bomb attacs to the city. The premiere of the film was also placed in the morning hours, because of the fear of bomb attacs in the evening.

---

Goofs

When Knebel draws a nude on the blackboard you see thin lines that help him trace the drawing.

---

Connections

Version of Die Feuerzangenbowle (1970)

User Reviews

The happiest days of your life?

This delightful film adapted from his own novel by Heinrich Spoerl and directed by the very capable Helmut Weiss ran into all sorts of trouble with the education authorities who strongly objected to its depiction of bumbling old schoolmasters and disrespectful, disruptive pupils who brought classes to the brink of near anarchy. Its star Heinz Ruemann was chummy with Hitler, whether from choice or expediency we will never know and Hitler certainly admired Ruemann's acting. It was apparently only by his appealing personally to Adolf during a visit to the Wolf's Lair that the film was permitted to be shown. Probably as a sop to the powers that be the makers were obliged to introduce a character not in the original book named Brett, played by Lutz Goetz, a young history teacher who expounds upon the virtues of discipline and says that he gives his pupils a clear choice between peace or war. All this is said while maintaining a smile! What of the cast? Ruemann is an impeccacable, immaculate artiste and excels as Pfeiffer. Erich Ponto as Professor Crey again manages to steal most of his scenes although Ruemann gives him a run for his money. There are also fine performances by Hans Liebelt as the harassed headmaster and by Hilde Sessak and Karen Himboldt as the women in Pfeiffer's life. Himboldt refused to give the Nazi salute at the premiere. This courageous act of defiance effectively scuppered her career. This is a heartwarming, uplifting and wonderfully played comedy and one is not at all surprised to learn that it remains to this day a cult film in Germany.