Otto Gebühr

The Golem: How He Came Into the World

In 16th-century Prague, a rabbi creates the Golem - a giant creature made of clay. Using sorcery, he brings the creature to life in order to protect the Jews of Prague from persecution.

Tobias Knopp, Adventure of a Bachelor

The wealthy man Tobias Knopp becomes ever more lonely and quirky over the years. He had let himself go, his girth increased significantly, and his hair fell out. Over that, he waited too long for the right woman and stayed a bachelor involuntarily. But now, he wants to try again one more time and wants to get married after all. But first of all, the right woman for this has to be found, and thus Knopp embarks on a journey to look for a wife all through the German lands. During that, he visits his friends who are already married for a long time and gets all kinds of advice from them on how to get to know a woman and to conquer her heart. On his journey, Knopp then learns much about the different facets of married life. After countless adventures, he, however, doesn’t find an adequate partner and returns home frustrated. But perhaps, his housekeeper might be able to help out?

The Heath Is Green

After the end of World War II Lüder Lüdersen, the former owner of a feudal estate in the East, and his daughter Helga arrive as refugees in the Lüneburg Heath. While living a seemingly happy life on the estate of his cousin, Lüdersen hides a dark secret: he is a poacher.

The Anthem of Leuthen

The story of the rise to power of King Frederick II (aka "Frederick the Great") of Prussia of his military campaigns to make Prussia a major power in Europe.

The Great King

King Frederick II (aka "Frederick the Great") of Prussia is engaged in a major battle against the Austrian army at Kunersdorf, and things aren't going well. The Austrians are inflicting major casualties, and his army is beginning to crumble. Defeat seems inevitable when a combination of events gives him hope that he may pull victory from the jaws of defeat after all.

Das ewige Spiel

A woman between two men. Horror melodrama.

Hitler: A Career

A keen chronicle of the unlikely rise to power of Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) and a dissection of the Third Reich (1933-1945), but also an analysis of mass psychology and how the desperate crowd can be deceived and shepherded to the slaughterhouse.

The Flute Concert of Sans-souci

In 1756, a masked ball was officially celebrated in the Dresden Palais of the Saxon Minister Heinrich von Brühl. Unofficially, however, talks are taking place with the envoys of Austria, Russia and France with the aim of conspiring against the Prussian King Frederick II. The Prussian envoy, Major von Lindeneck, succeeded in bringing a copy of the concluded secret treaty to the Prussian king. Friedrich consults with his generals, who urge caution. Friedrich is stunned by the reaction and now develops a counter-plan. To do this, he sends von Lindeneck back to Dresden. However, the latter is not very enthusiastic about this, as he thinks he has reason to doubt his wife Blanche's marital fidelity, and he now has to leave her alone.

Dr. Holl

A doctor marries his seemingly incurable patient to fulfill her last wish. A serum he develops saves her, and the union born of compassion develops into a loving marriage.

Immensee

A man and a woman struggle to stifle their love for each other, even after he moves away to travel the world and she marries a suitor.

Fridericus

In 18th century Europe, King Friedrich II of Prussia leads his army through the seven-years-war with neighboring states, and after numerous near defeats, eventually brings a victorious army back to Berlin.

Fridericus Rex - 4. Teil: Schicksalswende

The last part of Fridericus Rex's main focus is entirely on the battle after years of conflict with Austria, which allied itself with France and Russia finally opens against Prussia in 1756 in the Seven Years War.

Nanon

An operetta directed by Herbert Maisch.

The Life of Surgeon Sauerbruch

Young Olga Ahrendt almost succeeded in attempting suicide. She had thrown herself in front of a tram out of desperation about her miserable life, a desperation she shared with many in the post-war period. Fortunately, Privy Councillor Sauerbruch is at the scene of the incident, ordering her to be admitted to his clinic after a brief examination. Sauerbruch works both as a university lecturer and as a surgeon, a famous doctor who not only helps his patients physically but also gives them spiritual comfort. After he has taken Olga Ahrendt to his hospital, he discovers during an examination that her suicide attempt is due to a serious physical illness. He intensively takes care of her without forgetting about his other patients, to whom he can give a new will to live, even if only through a small story. And he will also treat Olga Ahrendt successfully...

...and the Sky Above Us

Hans Albers plays returning war veteran Hans Richter who has trouble finding work. With nowhere else to turn, Richter gets involved with black market activities. This so disgusts Richter's son, blind ex-soldier Edwin (Paul Edwin Roth), that the boy literally disowns his father. Hans eventually mends his ways, but not before several other devastating setbacks.

When the Evening Bells Ring

A woman marries a rich landowner, by request of her parents, instead of her lover who's child she's expecting. After a couple of years, the father of the child returns.

The Dancer Barberina

Life, love, and the extensively depicted affairs of the dancer Barbara Campanini.

Die Lüge

Three men are planning a balloon ascent into the stratosphere. During the balloon flight, complications arise, the balloon is driven out to sea and the men face death.

Melodie des Schicksals

A mediocre conductor unscrupulously steals his friend's—a piano teacher's—wife. At first, the piano teacher wants to shoot his rival, but then, surprisingly, he abandons his thoughts of revenge—a piano concerto he composed in prison ultimately brings the three main characters together in peace.

Meines Vaters Pferde, 2. Teil: Seine dritte Frau

In the second part of the drama, the wounded Jürgen hears about the happy years his father Michael spent with his wife Bim at the "Fohlenhof." He learns how the war took everything from him and how Michael was nearly broken by the death of his beloved Bim, who died while giving birth to Jürgen. It was only through his favorite horse that he began to believe in life again and fight for his son.

Have Sunshine in Your Heart

On a mountain lake, in the picturesque Alps in the Salzburg region, the old, rich grumble has retired to his country house and actually only wants to live in peace and seclusion. Soon the longed-for peace will be over, because in the immediate vicinity a home for little-wealthy holiday children will be opened in an empty house, which will be headed by the cheerful and optimistic teacher Miss Helm.

Fritze Bollmann wollte angeln

Brandenburg an der Havel, 2nd half of the 19th Century: the barber Fritz Bollmann is running his old-fashion barbershop and is well known, while another barber Jean Blank is more modern and haute-couture, who sees him as a huge competitor. When Bollmann wanted to leave to store to go fishing, what he loves, a boy asked for a haircut, but due to his anger he cuts him almost all of his hair. This leads the kids to play a trick upon him and when they through things in the lake in order for Bollmann to fall into the water while fishing, they write a mocking song about him. The song is spread all over the town, much to the hate of Bollmann himself. But he doesn't give up and is off to fight back.

Heiteres und Ernstes um den großen König

The short story focuses on two anecdotal episodes about the Prussian King Frederick II. In the first episode, the monarch meets an invalid. In the second episode, Baron Warkotsch's servant informs the king that Kappel's master is committing treason against the Prussian king, which puts Frederick's life in grave danger.

Barbarina, the King's Dancer

Prussian King Frederick II was keen to hire the dancer Barberina, who had already enjoyed great success in Italy and England, for the Berlin opera house.

Women for Golden Hill

Women are being sent to an all male settlement. The marriages are planned in advance, but not everything goes according to plan.

Much Ado About Nixi

Nixi has a vivid imagination and she makes extensive use of it. After parting from her longtime fiancée after an argument, she tells her father, that she’s pregnant --- and by another man: the police prefect Roland von Gabriel, whom she met after an auto accident. Called in by her father to be lectured, Roland doesn’t seem to mind the idea of marrying Nixi, but she’s already taken to her heels and fled.

Kopf hoch, Johannes!

The exploits of a young German youth during World War II in Argentina.

When the Young Wine Blossoms

An interfering mother plans husbands for her three daughters as they come of marriageable age. However she pays no attention to her daughters own feeling until the eventual intervention of her husband manages to bring things to a happy conclusion.

The Devil Makes Three

Jeff Elliot is an American GI investigating a black market gang in Munich.

Casanova heiratet

The actor Ralph Gregor plays "Casanova" on the stage and everyone expects, that he also lives out the role in real life. Johanna Brinkmann, known as "Joe", tries everything to make her husband jealous of Ralph. Ralph, however, is actually dating his colleague Steffie. After a fight with her, he takes off on a short trip into the countryside and there gets to know the attractive Gertrude, with whom he falls in love. In short order, he proposes to and marries her. Soon, however, Gertude gets to know Steffie and Joe, who appear to know Ralph much better than they do, and Gertrude loses it.

Bismarck

A biographical film of Otto von Bismarck, the Prime Minister of Prussia, and how he and his policies - including aggressive war - helped to unite Germany.

Street Serenade

While on tour somewhere in Italy, a famous German pop singer loses his voice. All tickets for the concerts have long been sold out. Someone from the "Star's" entourage finds a young local guy who used to walk around the city singing in a very similar voice. From then on, the pop star stood on stage in front of the microphone, only opening his mouth, while the unknown street singer sang for him, standing in front of the microphone behind the scenes. At the end of the film, the star's voice returns, and he begins to sing solo and in a duet with the young singer.

The Old Fritz

Silent epic on the final years of Frederick II.

The Old Fritz II

Silent epic on the final years of Frederick II.

Waterloo

This presentation of 'Waterloo', a film by Karl Grune about the last hurrah of Napoleon, is a fascinating companion to the Abel Gance epic 'Napoleon'. 'Waterloo' presents a tale of several people involved in the final battle. Napoleon and Wellington, of course, but also the Austrian general Blutcher (who is seen as a ladies' man - his scene with a flirty Countess about halfway through the film is priceless; as are his touching scenes with his plain wife (who he imagines to be a young and nubile girl when they get romantic) and some people within his regiment. Not simply a film of war, 'Waterloo' is a story of people, of lovers, of lost opportunities.

Veilchen Nr. 4

a silent movie

The Erl King

A young man races to save his son's life, but death – incarnated in the child's imagination as the titular Erl King – calls unceasingly.

Die blonde Frau des Maharadscha

Maharaj Gowan is in love with the blonde circus rider Yrida. However, the son of the Maharaj also have strong feelings for her.

Stars Over Colombo

Adventure film in an exotic setting based on the “Indian Tomb”: While visiting a circus in Germany, the Indian maharajah Gowan sees the rider Yrida, who comes from Swedish nobility. The maharajah falls in love with the circus rider and quickly sends the entire circus to Ceylon, where he courts Yrida. But Yrida loves someone else: the student Gowaran, who she does not know is the maharajah's son. In order to get Yrida completely under his control, the maharaja has her drugged and abducted to his castle in India.

Red Roses, Red Lips, Red Wine

Art dealer Thormann asks for the hand of his beautiful secretary Nora, but Nora loves Captain Hans Westhoff. But while Westhoff is hiding in Italy to avoid jail time, his heroic death is reported in his homeland.

Der Erbförster

For many years, Ulrich, the hereditary forester, and Steinbach, the landowner, were the best of friends. But one day, this friendship is put to a severe test: Driven by financial need, Steinbach wants to have the forest cleared, which Ulrich condemns as brutal exploitation of nature – and therefore refuses to grant permission for the project. To clear the way for his plan, Steinbach ensures that Ulrich is dismissed as forester. When, a few days later, the dam built by Steinbach is blown up and the floodwaters inundate Steinbach's sawmill, suspicion immediately falls on Ulrich. The hereditary forester is ostracized, threatened, and even fears for his life.

Torreani

Acrobat assumes identity of jailed fellow-artist to take over a theatre which had been bequeathed to him. He is suspected of murdering the acrobat but is cleared in the end.

Das Floß der Toten

Film by Carl Boese.

The Erlkönig

Alternate-language version of Le roi des aulnes (1931)

Das Mädchen aus der Ackerstraße. 1. Teil

The underage daughter of a degenerate couple living on Berlin’s Ackerstraße flees her parents’ apartment because she is subjected to ongoing abuse. After collapsing on the street, she is taken in by a young university professor, who cares for her for an extended period until one day her benefactor—with whom the girl from Ackerstraße has fallen in love—begins an illicit relationship with her.

Evening – Night – Morning

Cheston, a millionaire, is looking after Maud, a beautiful woman from the 'demimonde'. Her brother, Brilburn, forces her to ask her rich admirer for an expensive piece of jewelry. Cheston buys a precious pearl necklace. Lost film.

Rosen-Resli

The nine-year-old orphan Therese has recently moved in with a family of gardeners. She continues to take loving care of her former foster mother, from whom she had to leave when she fell ill with a heart condition. With the help of old Jacob, the girl manages to grow a particularly beautiful rose. After some complications, this proves to be a stroke of luck, and not just for her.

Black Grotto

German silent movie, original title unknown, English title and cast/crew are based on Soviet poster. The German title might differ (help needed)