The Empress's favorite
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| Original title | The Empress's favorite |
| Country of production | German Empire |
| original language | German |
| Publishing year | 1936 |
| length | 99 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 12 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Werner Hochbaum |
| script |
Walther von Hollander Werner Hochbaum |
| production | Alberto Giacalone |
| music | Anton Profes |
| camera | Oskar Schnirch |
| cut | Walter Wischniewsky |
| occupation | |
| |
The Empress' favorite is a 1935 German historical drama by Werner Hochbaum with Olga Chekhova as Tsarina Elisabeth of Russia . Anton Pointner and Willy Eichberger have other leading roles .
action
Russia in the 18th century. Tsarina Elisabeth is in clear conflict with her minister, lover and favorite Prince Ivan Potozky, who has been urging his empress to conclude an alliance pact with France for some time. In addition, the jealous nobleman has made sure that only older or unattractive officers surround the empress. Other advisers to the ruler, especially the Russian military, prefer a related agreement with Prussia. Elisabeth has had enough of Pototsky's urging now; In addition, she finally wants to see attractive, young lieutenants around her and receives a tip from her lady-in-waiting Irina. She knows someone who would be a new favorite and lover for the tsarina. Count Kurganoff's daughter only knows that the young ensign is called Alexander, but she does not know his last name. Irina's suggestion is not entirely unselfish: she would like to see this one Alexander again, whom she recently met at an Easter party. Her father, who heads a guards regiment as a general, is supposed to go in search of the soldier. The senior officer has only one problem: There are five ensigns named Alexander in his regiment who could be described as fitting. And so all five Alexander, including Alexander Tomsky, are hired as the tsarina's bodyguard, much to Elisabeth's delight.
The annual Easter ball of the Tsarina lets Irina see her Alexander, Ensign Tomsky, again. He secretly made a caricature of Prince Tomsky, which fell into his hands by a stupid accident. Tomsky is very angry about this and would like to put the cheeky junior officer in chains immediately. Before that happens, the ensign gets into the tsarina's bedchamber and hides behind a curtain. Discovered by Elisabeth, she learns that of all people the booted Pototsky, whose secret entrance to her bedchamber has just been locked by Elisabeth, wants to throw those handsome soldiers into dungeon. One more reason for the Empress not only to pardon Alexander Tomsky, but to make him her new favorite and thereby promote him to the top of the career ladder. Potozky is very displeased with the developments, and so he plans a conspiracy: He wants the Empress to fall victim to an attack. Tomsky finds out about this and, with the cadets who are now subordinate to him, penetrates through the secret passage into the tsarina's chambers. The ruler is saved and the conspirators are incapacitated. Tomsky, who has only rumored to be the tsarina's new lover, but whose heart belongs to Irina, publicly asks her for her hand. Irina, however, believes the rumor that her Jack of Hearts is the Empress's favorite and rejects it. But with Pototsky's arrest, all the facts come on the table and, with Elizabeth's approval, the two young people can finally get together.
Production notes
The shooting of The Empress's Favorite dragged on from mid-October to mid-November 1935. The film premiered in Vienna on February 21, 1936; the German premiere was on March 12, 1936 in the Atrium cinema in Berlin.
Friedrich Wilhelm Gaik and Ottmar Ostermayr took over the production management. Emil Hasler designed the film structures made by Artur Schwarz . Manon Hahn designed the costumes. Hans Müller was assistant director, composer Anton Profes was also the musical director. Hans Martin Cremer wrote the lyrics.
The following music titles, published by the Leipziger Musikverlag Rather, were played:
- Cossack song: And we are lonely in quiet nights
- Soldier song: There used to be a soldier
reception
The Österreichische Film-Zeitung wrote: "Werner Hochbaum took care of the production with great splendor."
“Tension-free superficial intrigue comedy in an operetta Russia in the middle of the 18th century. The lavish furnishings - architect Emil Hasler - and the cameraman Oskar Schnirch's picture pomp are flirting with Hollywood show effects. "
On film.at you can read: "Hochbaum's camera nimbly measures magnificent sets - the opening trip from the church altar to the carnival is impressive - and also moves elegantly over the double floors of the comedy store."
Individual evidence
- ↑ "The Empress's Favorite". In: Österreichische Film-Zeitung , February 28, 1936, p. 2 (online at ANNO ).
- ^ The Empress' Favorite in the Lexicon of International Films , accessed on April 1, 2020
- ↑ "The Empress's Favorite" on film.at
Web links
- The favorite of the Empress in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- The Empress's favorite at filmportal.de