In my rating I have to take into account the fact that this nearly 100 year
old film is missing the end. Probably the last reel. There is only one copy
in existence in the Austria Film Archives. That is 91 minutes long and in
very good condition. At the end they summarize what takes place in the missing
section. And the English sub-titles are to say the least sporadic and nearly
useless. Odd, that someone would go to the trouble of subs and then do such
a dreadful job. Not that it is a complicated film to follow. All about love
and sex in Vienna which was similar to the Weimer Republic during the 1920s.
If you had money you went to clubs and danced and drank and if you were among
the many unemployed, you went hungry or sold your body. That all takes place
at Café Electric.
Filled with carnivorous men looking for female company that was in plentiful
supply. Carousing, women giving men the inviting eye, women dancing together.
Looks like fun! One night at the Café Electric witnessing all the
frivolity and flirtations would be great. In this milieu is the lovely Hansi
(Nina Vanna) who smiles gaily as men hover around her. Usually standing in
the corner eyeing all this is Fredl (Willi Forst) - part time gigolo, small
time thief and all-around cad. Erni the daughter of a wealthy businessman
falls for his lothario ways and hands out long deep kisses like chocolate
treats. She was the reason I watched this. Played by Marlene Dietrich before
she became famous three years later with Blue Angel. The short curly hair-do
they saddle her with doesn't do her any favors but she is heat and hunger
in motion. When Fredl first sees Erni he says to the band, play the Black
Bottom. A popular dance back then but what the couple dance is nothing close
to the Black Bottom. Authentic versions can be found on YouTube.
Rounding out this foursome is Max (Igo Sym) an architect working for Erni's
father and who is in love with her. But Fredl is really in love with Hansi
and uses Erni for the money she hands him. But then Max meets Hansi while
sitting at a café drinking coffee - it is clear that she is a wonton
women when she smiles and tilts her head at a hotel - but he falls in love
anyways. Poor Erni. No one loves her and she is damn Marlene Dietrich! Nicely
shot and directed by Gustav Ucicky.
