Lachende Erben (1933) Online

To Max Ophüls this was an assignment (from the UFA), a pure routine job. One hardly recognizes the later Ophüls in this film (shortly made before his masterpiece "Liebelei"), but still Ophüls made this routine job into a well-paced, stylish and sometimes extremely funny romantic comedy; he probably could not do it any other way. The script is fine with some hilarious dialogue. The use of the surnames of the characters is simple but clever.

Having Ophüls in mind the film can also be considered a celebration of happy-go-lucky life: contrasted are those who live an easy going, wine and dine life with those whose narrow-minded life is based on punctuality and mineral water. Maybe that is why the film was banned in 1937: it was considered a film that could endanger public order and national-socialist feelings.

Good cast with Heinz Rühmann who shows his natural comic talent at best and Max Adalbert who is very good as the grumpy uncle; supporting cast good as well. Chauvinism makes me want to point out Lien Deyers (as Gina), a fine, charming and attractive actress from The Netherlands who had a successful career in German cinema.

All these people drinking and boozing sparkling wine all the time in the picturesque Rhineland Palatine is very joyful. A young man will inherit the family wine production if he doesn't drink any alcohol for several weeks, a terrible situation. And he falls in love with his main wine competitor. It is so funny from beginning to end, with a strong rhythm and fast edting (which is seldom the case in Ophüls movies). And there is one splendid camera movement during the heritage sequence. Not an Ophüls masterpiece, but a complete controlled comedy you won't forget.

"Lachende Erben" is a German black-and-white film from 1933. This was the first year of the Nazi reign and brought out propaganda films like "Hitlerjunge Quex", but this film here is completely unpolitical still. There are a whole lot other titles listed here and I will not mention them all, but it seems like this one goes under a whole lot of synonyms. The director is Max Ophüls and just like lead actor Heinz Rühmann, it was still pretty early in his career when he directed this film we have here. Ophüls went on to make many French language films in later years. And I must say, even if Rühmann's range and charisma is clearly visible, I am not yet as impressed by him as I am by some of the films he made at the age of 50 and afterward. The story here is about a young man who will inherit a fortune if he manages not to drink any alcohol for some time. Strangely enough, he will be awarded a wine estate if he succeeds. A similar story I have seen in some old black-and-white short films from previous years, so it is neither too original nor too creative I have to say. Quite a shame. All in all, this one is really worth seeing for the biggest Rühmann fans and even with the short runtime of approximately 75 minutes, it lacks focus on some occasions. I give it a thumbs-down.