(1934) Georg Alexander, Camilla Horn, Gerda Maurus, Theo Lingen, Fritz Odemar, Jakob Tietke. We never thought we’d refer to an Edgar Wallace film as being “delightful,” but this one most assuredly is. Yet it’s got all the usual Wallace crime trappings with sinister characters and plot twists. Camilla Horn, as Jenny, heads to London to meet (and hopefully marry) her cousin Harry (Georg Alexander), who is also the financial adviser overseeing her fortune. She moves in with him, despite his feeble protestations. Harry’s life is instantly turned topsy-turvy as Jenny forces him to diet and exercise, denying him his favorite foods. The jump-roping scene is priceless (she even buys him boxing equipment and a speed bag). She also decides to remodel his house. Where will it end! It’s all delightfully funny. However, Harry (unbeknownst to Jenny) is having a fling (sort of) with a married lady, whom he’s supposed to leave town with. To cover his tracks, Harry tells Jenny he’s going hunting in Scotland. After he leaves, Jenny finds out that Harry has been targeted by a notorious doppelganger who assumes rich people’s identities and steals them blind. But when Harry has a change of heart and returns home (after having his mustache wacked off at the barber’s) Jenny is convinced that he’s the doppelganger and places him under house arrest. It’s just hilarious. There are all kinds of plot twists that follow and things get complicated when the real doppelganger finally shows up. Whew! The chemistry between Alexander and Horn (who is cute as a bug) is utterly charming. But it’s Theo Lingen as “Superb-us” (a cowardly, bumbling, master-of-disguise detective) who almost steals the show. We can’t recommend this German Edgar Wallace film enough. Brand new English subtitles. From 35mm.
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