On March 3rd 1931, the Censors (Filmprüfstelle Berlin) disallow this
film for viewing by "the youth".
The premier showing takes place
on May 4th 1931.
As
the film opens, Turi Weidinger, the operetta tenor, has already sung
himself into the spectators' hearts As
the film opens, Turi Weidinger, the operetta tenor, has already sung
himself into the spectators' hearts on over
one hundred occasions.
But
today is supposed to mark his final appearance for some timeBut
today is supposed to mark his final appearance for some time.
Turi must spend six weeks away on military service...
This, to the pleasure of his future comrades at arms, and in particular
the young lieutenant Joszi. All of whom are
fans of his and have often enough applauded him from their theater
loges.
But, the
theater Director (played by Max Ehrlich) is less pleased. He's
distressed about loosing his star singer for the duration. Even
less enchanted is Turi's beautiful singing partner, Grete Mahr...
because -- also in real life -- her feelings for him are exactly
the same as those she expresses during their operatic love scenes..
feelings that Turi also feels for her!
So,
no wonder, Grete wants Turi all to herself on this night. She sneaks
away early from the merry reception that the Director has organized in
honor of his star So,
no wonder, Grete wants Turi all to herself on this night. She sneaks
away early from the merry reception that the Director has organized in
honor of his star tenor following the
performance.
Turi
is supposed to follow her after a few moments -- at least Turi
is supposed to follow her after a few moments -- at least that's
what they've agreed upon.
But
Grete waits in vain. Because Turi once again has acted like an
irresponsible young fellow.
The
champagne is so delicious ...the amusing and curvaceous soubrette
Pepi PieperThe
champagne is so delicious ...the amusing and curvaceous soubrette
Pepi Pieper, who's long been envious of Grete,
has cuddled up against him ... and as the completely tipsy company
toasts the no less inebriated Turi's engagement to Pepi, he accepts
this without a word of protest.
It's
already 6AM when Pepi remembers that her "fiancé" must join his
company of Hussards. Thus, just as he's dressed
now ...in his fancy operetta uniform, she loads him
into her car and drives him to the nearby
garrison town.
Turi
isn't lucky. Of all people, it's his commanding officer who sees him in
this impossible attire. But Turi gets off with only a strong scolding
and a few days detention under house arrest.
The
same morning, Pepi seeks out her colleague Grete Mahr in order to tell
her about her recent engagement.
Greta
almost faints... because she... yes, now the secret must come out... is
married to Turi! The two of them have kept the marriage a secret till
now because Turi's contract forbade him to marry...
But
crime is followed by punishment and, when Turi calls Grete to explain,
she plays the angry wife who doesn't want to know anything about her
unfaithful husband anymore... only wants a divorce...
Turi
doesn't know what to do. He runs around in his room like a caged lion.
Finally he confesses to his comrade Joszi who initially is speechless
with anger against Pepi... because she's in fact his own girlfriend...!
Next
he he thinks of
challenging Turi to a pistol duel. But,
finally, he softens up and accepts to speak to
Grete in order to fix everything up again.
Joszi
presents the case to Grete very well. He depicts her husband's
contrition so effectively that she rushes to find him, head over heels
in love again... But, at exactly the same moment, unaware of Grete's
endeavor, Turi breaks out of his detention in order to go to
Grete.
When
Grete arrives, the commanding officer -- who's long admired Grete's
beauty -- agrees that it would be impossible to deny such a
charming artist the right to visit the imprisoned soldier.
She
is clever enough not to mention anything to the commander about being
married to Turi... instead she claims to She
is clever enough not to mention anything to the commander about being
married to Turi... instead she claims to have
come on behalf of his wife.
Under
the circumstances, she also tells -- of course after swearing the
officers to secrecy -- why Turi must keep his marriage a secret and how
much his poor wife has suffered Under
the circumstances, she also tells -- of course after swearing the
officers to secrecy -- why Turi must keep his marriage a secret and how
much his poor wife has suffered under this
obligation.
"Lieutenant Weidinger is not in his room and is nowhere to be found in
the garrison!" comes the cry from
"Lieutenant Weidinger is not in his room and is nowhere to be found in
the garrison!" comes the cry from an adjutant.
The
commander goes into a rage. Grete trembles in fear for her irresponsible
husband.
At
this point the door At
this point the door flies open
and there stands the theater Director who the
adjutants, in vain, try to hold back from entering the room.
But
the hard-working and strong stage man is not to be deterred. But
the hard-working and strong stage man is not to be deterred. The
understudy tenor has a frog in his throat and is also otherwise
impossible. He's got to get Turi back... the commander must release him!
In a
flash, Grete seizes the opportunity of the moment. She quickly makes an
agreement with the commanding officers who, delighted with her feminine
cunning, agrees to play along. He will release Turi for one more
evening... but only if the Director will remove the ominous
anti-marriage clause from his contract.
The
Director can only agree...
As
Turi returns to the garrison and hears that the commander has ordered
him to appear before him, he thinks that "The jig is up."
But
it isn't, because a few minutes later he But
it isn't, because a few minutes later he also sees
the beaming Grete who quickly signals him to
remain silent.
Then,
from his commanding officer he learns of his good fortune. "So... Now go
to your wife!" are the commander's final words. But, by this time, Turi
already has taken his wife into his arms.
The
officers is speechless. But then he reacts positively to the whole
game... saying as he laughs, "The
officers is speechless. But then he reacts positively to the whole
game... saying as he laughs, "A true
Hussar story."
