Original Title: Aus einer kleinen Residenz. (Dreimal verlobt.) Farce 1932; 91 min.; Director: Erich Schönfelder; Cast: Lucie Englisch, Hugo Fischer-Köppe, Kurt Vespermann, Willi Schur, Ida Wüst, Hilde Koller, Albert Paulig, Willy Schur, Kurt Vespermann, Willy Prager, Leopold von Ledebur, Paul Westermeier, Wilhelm Bendow, Erich Kestin, Siegfried Berisch, Hermann Picha; Althoff-Tobis-Klangfilm.
A duchy in distress seeks to restore its financial stability through the marriage of its Grand Duke. However, when the bride elopes with the trumpeter of the regimental band in order to be compromised and later become the wife of a first lieutenant, her mother must step in and extend her hand to the Grand Duke.
Summary
The Grand Duchy, ruled by Ottokar XXXXVIII, who is only interested in his stamp collection, is heavily in debt. Therefore, his ministers urge him to restore the state finances through a marriage with Irene, the daughter of the Princess of Schleiz-Reiz. During the preparations for the engagement celebration, it becomes clear that it will be difficult to ignore the horn player Bluhme. He is a brilliant musician but a typical civilian who despises military discipline. However, everyone becomes anxious when it is revealed that the Princess had once eloped with a young musician and still has a soft spot for musicians.
The musician Herrmann is very interested in Bluhme’s girlfriend, Luise. Despite all his efforts, he has not been able to outdo Bluhme in her affections. Now he sees a new opportunity to achieve this goal. He writes a dedication on a photograph of Princess Irene, which falls into the hands of the major. This raises concerns at the court that Bluhme might do something drastic.
Irene has no interest in the elderly Duke and would like to avoid the engagement. She loves Lieutenant Müller, her mother’s adjutant. However, her mother does not approve of a relationship with him. During the concert, the Princess is so delighted by Bluhme’s performance that she calls him to her, to the dismay of everyone, and engages in a lengthy conversation with him. This honor and the unusual enjoyment of champagne put him in a cheerful mood. Therefore, he explains to the Princess the reason behind the Duke’s marriage plans. However, she does not change her mind and still desires Irene’s engagement despite what she has just heard.
Just as the engagement is about to be announced in the hall, the Princess learns that Irene has eloped with none other than musician Bluhme, compromising herself. They are both found the next day. Bluhme is imprisoned, and the Princess subscribes to a higher state loan because she wants to avoid a scandal at all costs. With that, everything turns out for the better. Through Irene’s intervention, Bluhme is released and returns to his girlfriend Luise. Irene is now allowed to marry Lieutenant Müller.
-n-‘s review in Film Kurier No. 101 (April 29, 1932)
This small legendary residence remains a popular place for the film: immediately guaranteeing that those from the big city will laugh at the outskirts, while those from the small town smirkingly attribute everything to the neighboring town of yore.
From this perspective, Curt I. Braun and Fritz Falkenstein, the authors, make it easy for themselves. They bring in the tried-and-true types listed in the Residence section, and lo and behold, not a beloved character is missing.
Serenissimus is there, slightly doddering, and there comes Erich Schönfelder into action. Who else would he have to lead but Albert Paulig, the jovial actor of many archdukes and high-ranking officers?
And the Princess with a past, she is in good hands with Ida Wüst’s skillful performance. With a laugh, a gesture, she gives such roles a face.
Schönfelder happily takes advantage of every punchline, every situation, from the cuckoo under the princely table to the barracks comedy, assisted by Hameister, the cameraman, Herrmann and Günther, the architects, Artur Guttmann, the conductor. Schönfelder knows his audience, aiming for laughs and tangible impact. They all play along, those who amplify this impact: Vespermann, Hugo Fischer-Köppe, Wilhelm Bendow, Willy Prager, Hermann Picha, Ledebur, Beckmann, Krümelchen, Westermeyer, even the little Berisch. And Willy Schur gets to play a talkative, rule-breaking regiment bugler who earns many laughs. He has a new partner in the blonde Hilde Koller.
Everything revolves around Lucie Englisch. Her charming and warm-hearted nature wins over the gentlemen once again. Much applause at the end when she and the other actors appear.
