This German production is a delightful comic
crime adventure that is light on its feet and full of warmth and humanity.
It is 1937 Germany. In the same year, Hitler opened the Buchenwald Concentration
camp, Germany withdrew from the Versailles Peace Treaty and Hitler laid out
internal plans for invading his neighbors. The horror of what was taking
place in the country is not even hinted at in this film. In fact, the police,
judicial system and bureaucracy are mirthfully mocked. Perhaps they could
get away with this tongue in cheek humor because the two male actors were
extremely popular and the director Karl Hartl had helmed, Gold, a huge hit.
Anyway, this is great fun from the beginning to the commanding court room
denouement at the end that is practically Capraesque.
Hans Albers and Heinz Rühmann are two
smooth operators. Good hearted con men with a twinkle in their eye. They
have put together an elaborate scheme, not to really profit, but to get them
a berth on a train and a comfortable suite at a posh hotel. And all it takes
is for Alber to wear a deer stalking cap, an Inverness cloak, smoke a pipe
and take charge of every situation with his strong presence. He and his much
quieter reticent companion stop a train at night and ask to see all the passports
of the passengers. The train crew jump to the conclusion that they are Sherlock
Holmes and Dr. Watson. Two real characters in this scenario. Not only the
crew, but two criminals think so and run for it. Sherlock and Watson ease
into their cabin. Success. In fact, they are penniless. In the cabin next
to them are two sweet sisters on their way to claim their uncle's inheritance.
They return later in the film.
Their plan is simple. Check into a hotel,
allow the staff to think they are Holmes and Watson without ever saying so
and take on cases from clients. So not really con men but enterprising businessmen.
At one point while taking baths in two different bathrooms, they sing a sprightly
duet that became a hit. The government asks them to find four rare stamps
that were stolen from the World's Fair. They accept and are soon in the midst
of much more - a huge counterfeit operation, bank robbers and a Bertolt Brecht
like gang of hoodlums. And the two sisters. Very entertaining with the affable
chemistry and rat-a-tat dialogue between the two men.
