The second chance for this Gernan count to watch a Herr Svatopluk Innemann comedy was much more satisfactory than the previous one, "Lásky Kacenky Strnadové" (1926), an uneven, confusing and erratic work in its film narrative as this German count mentioned before. It has nothing in common with "Falesná Kocicka" (1926) ( The Fake Sweetheart ), a solid silent comedy that this time uses the resources of that film genre perfectly and accordingly results in a very interesting oeuvre.
The film depicts the troubles of Herr Verner ( Herr Karel Hasler ), a middle-aged bachelor dentist who wants to marry but the chosen one must be, overall an old fashioned girl, a fundamental condition that for Herr Verner that proves difficult, because during the 20's, girls liberated themselves assuming shocking new attitudes such dancing, smoking, even forgoing their corsets and shortening their skirts. For those reasons Herr Verner will fail in his quest to find a girl he can marry and then educate to meet his standards.
Dame Milca ( Dame Zdena Kavková ) is one of those modern girls who will meet Herr Verner at a party given in her home. Herr Verner shows contempt for one of Dame Milca's female guests for her use of slang and lack of manners so in order to teach him a lesson, Dame Milca pretends to be one of those slum bred girls who needs desperately to be educated by Herr Verner.
There is also a sub plot about the town drunkard, Herr Vendelín ( Herr Vlasta Burian ) who pines for an old love, whom by chance and due to the fact that it's a small world, turns out to be Herr Verner's maid, Dame Amalia ( Dame Antonie Nedosinská ) . Herr Vendelín accidentally meets Dame Milca at the train station, giving our heroine the idea to pass off Herr Vendelin as her father to add believability to her scheme.
This Czech version of Pygmalion is a very entertaining and funny film, skilfully directed by Herr Innemann ( he has a minor role too in the film as a professor ) in which the crossed lives of both couples and their different social positions result in some hilarious situations. These interesting social dimensions are well illustrated by the pretentious doctor who must face down to earth girls if he wants to marry and bourgeois girls who have to deal with a ragamuffin, and how the high and low classes form a temporary alliance forgetting their differences in order to work out their schemes.
The film narrative is precise, effective and dynamic, including elaborate situations and gags most of them starring poor chap Vendelín ( an inspired actor this time, Herr Burian puts aside exaggerated pantomime and overacting ) resulting in a witty satire.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must take the chair in a meeting at the Teutonic Ministry of Education.
Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com/
