After seeing all five of the films from France in 1944 currently with English subtitles, (all also reviewed) I decided on the last day of a poll being held for the best films from that year,to take a look other obscure titles. Finding a title set over Christmas/ New Year,I decided to pick up the harp.
View on the film:
Firing Cupids arrow between Hans and Susanne, director Heinz Ruhmann & cinematographer Ewald Daub unveil an immaculate atmosphere sipped from the Wiener Film genre, lining the background of each shot with regal luxuries that shine like diamonds, which sparkle in the snow lodge where the couple first meet being given the snow-covered appearance of coming straight from a fairy tale,and the statue of The Angel With a Harp being so dazzling,that all who glimpse it get cast under its spell and refuse all offers to sell it.
Separated from each other as the fireworks from the New Year fade, director Ruhmann works closely with editor Helmuth Schonnenbeck in tracking the lives of Susanne and Hans with remarkable precession match-cuts unfolding to graceful panning shots across their decadent and sparkling wipes sliding towards their reunion.
Hitting the target of giving Alois Johannes Lippl's play a more modern sensibility in Susanne being a single mother who decides to continue in education on her own, the screenplay by Helmut Weiss & Curt J. Braun thankfully hold the film away from getting spoiled with propaganda, instead keeping the romance sunny side up with sparkling, witty comedic dialogue igniting the old flames of the couple, who burn away from their current romantic entanglements.
Coming to accept he will never again meet the woman he spent New Year's Eve/Day in the snow lodge with,Hans Sohnker gives a dapper turn as Hans,whose stiff upper lip gentlemen manner Sohnker curls with rich snappy exchanges with his former lover.
Beautifully framed in each shot, Hertha Feiler (Ruhmann's wife!) gives a mesmerising turn as Susanne,thanks to Feiler weaving Susanne's playful one-liners and bubbling Melodrama romance with a enticing, thoughtful self-confidence,as Susanne plays the harp.
View on the film:
Firing Cupids arrow between Hans and Susanne, director Heinz Ruhmann & cinematographer Ewald Daub unveil an immaculate atmosphere sipped from the Wiener Film genre, lining the background of each shot with regal luxuries that shine like diamonds, which sparkle in the snow lodge where the couple first meet being given the snow-covered appearance of coming straight from a fairy tale,and the statue of The Angel With a Harp being so dazzling,that all who glimpse it get cast under its spell and refuse all offers to sell it.
Separated from each other as the fireworks from the New Year fade, director Ruhmann works closely with editor Helmuth Schonnenbeck in tracking the lives of Susanne and Hans with remarkable precession match-cuts unfolding to graceful panning shots across their decadent and sparkling wipes sliding towards their reunion.
Hitting the target of giving Alois Johannes Lippl's play a more modern sensibility in Susanne being a single mother who decides to continue in education on her own, the screenplay by Helmut Weiss & Curt J. Braun thankfully hold the film away from getting spoiled with propaganda, instead keeping the romance sunny side up with sparkling, witty comedic dialogue igniting the old flames of the couple, who burn away from their current romantic entanglements.
Coming to accept he will never again meet the woman he spent New Year's Eve/Day in the snow lodge with,Hans Sohnker gives a dapper turn as Hans,whose stiff upper lip gentlemen manner Sohnker curls with rich snappy exchanges with his former lover.
Beautifully framed in each shot, Hertha Feiler (Ruhmann's wife!) gives a mesmerising turn as Susanne,thanks to Feiler weaving Susanne's playful one-liners and bubbling Melodrama romance with a enticing, thoughtful self-confidence,as Susanne plays the harp.