Original Title: Fürst Seppl. (Liebe im Berghotel.) Comedy 1932; 93 min.; Director: Franz Osten; Cast: Hanns Beck-Gaden, Philipp Weichand, Grit Haid, Kurt Horwitz, Walter Lantzsch, Inez Allegri, Jola Brendel, Max Schreck; Leo-Tobis-Klangfilm.
Through its traditional knight’s game, a Bavarian mountain village attracts guests from the nearby spa town. In the inn, a prince arrives, to whom a social climber from Berlin wants to marry off his daughter. Eventually, His Highness is exposed as a jewel thief, and the Berliner is relieved to discover that his girl is already secretly engaged to a doctor.
Summary
Dimpfing, a charming village nestled in the Bavarian mountains, is abuzz with activity. Lenerl, the spirited daughter of the innkeeper at the renowned “Golden Ox,” has set her sights on transforming the tranquil hamlet into an esteemed international winter resort and revamping the “Golden Ox” into a bustling hotel. Guests are lured in with promises of exhilarating winter sports and the captivating Dimpfing “Knight Festivals.” However, Seppl, deeply enamored with Lenerl, harbors reservations about the frenetic atmosphere, fearing that their love might falter amidst the whirlwind of the grand endeavor. His apprehensions prove well-founded.
Among the initial wave of spa visitors, one finds a wealthy American socialite, the alluring Fräulein Schulze, businessman Lehmann from Berlin accompanied by his wife and daughter, and the enigmatic Prince Kasimir. It becomes apparent that Lenerl is captivated by the charms of this Prince… Seeking retribution, Seppl takes it upon himself to introduce the American woman to various local traditions, including the age-old practice of serenading through windows. Meanwhile, businessman Lehmann endeavors to arrange a marriage between his daughter, who secretly pines for Dr. Müller, and the Prince, enticed by the allure of a substantial dowry. As the engagement supper looms on the horizon, unexpected circumstances unfold.
Fräulein Schulze’s true identity is exposed as an impostor who orchestrates a daring heist, pilfering the American woman’s precious jewelry. However, Prince Kasimir manages to thwart her plans, swiftly retrieving the stolen valuables and returning them to their rightful owner before it’s too late. In the end, Lenerl and Seppl find their bliss, while the once-familiar “Golden Ox” inn undergoes a transformation, emerging as the illustrious “Prince Seppl Hotel.”
Review in Österreichische Film-Zeitung (August 20, 1932)
A new film by the company Götz Hofbauer, filled with down-to-earth, rustic humor. Lenerl, the daughter of the innkeeper at the “Golden Ox,” wants to turn the godforsaken mountain village of Dimpfing into a sophisticated winter resort. And she succeeds by plastering posters everywhere for the “Dimpfing Festival,” which is meant to replace the traditional knight festivals. A group of elegant and wealthy guests, as well as those who pretend to be, arrive in Dimpfing, which is clearly not equipped to handle the demands of these high-maintenance visitors. But since Dimpfing has become trendy, everyone finds it charming and idyllic, not least because the capable Lenerl and the handsome ski instructor Seppl attend to the guests, including a wealthy American woman, a con artist, a supposed Prince Tusla, and other personalities. However, the burgeoning success of Dimpfing almost leads to a rift between Lenerl and Seppl. It is only through Seppl’s proactive actions, when the con artist steals the American woman’s jewelry and the fake Prince Tusla tries to flee with it but is intercepted by Seppl just in time, that Lenerl realizes the true worth of Seppl. This lively film is filled with humorous episodes, such as when the American woman eagerly learns to sing Schnadahüpfl or takes an interest in “Fensterln” (flirting through windows), or when amidst the sophisticated hustle and bustle, the livestock calmly pass by. Directed by Franz Osten, the film features Grit Haid, Hanns Beck-Gaden, Kurt Horwitz, and a number of other actors who skillfully embody their respective characters. This excellently executed film will certainly not disappoint any cinema owner in terms of box office success.
