Shown in the 22nd London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival this German silent
was a delight with Reinhold Schunzel taking the lead role as well as writing
and producing (though not listed as director). Based on a farce 'Der
Doppelmensch', the film progresses from a marriage immediately before the
hero makes his maiden speech in the Reichstag comdemning night clubs,
alcohol and vice (his father-in-law is a major producer of sparkling wine) to
his learning he is the owner of the club he denounced 'Der Himmel auf Erden'.
He has to be there between 10.00 pm and 3.00 am daily which he just manages on the first night, leaving his bride completely alone. With many
of the complications that makes farces farcical, the story continues over the
next 24 hours only ending happily. Schunzel's performance is a delight of
twitchy mannerisms without being overly broad though his appearance in
drag is rather OTT. Two side comments - apart from the drag, there was no
homosexual element (of either sex) and the dancers' legs were much better
than most of the chubby ones seen in Hollywood musicals in the 30s.