Die Fledermaus (1937)
The delightful Johann Strauss comic opera Die Fledermaus was mercilessly lampooned in this truly bizarre production. For starters, a framing device has been added: After appearing in 300 consecutive appearances of Fledermaus (which translates as The Bat) the lead tenor (Georg Alexander) imagines that he's seeing bats everywhere. Driven a bit over the edge by all this, he falls asleep and has a nightmare about the opera, with a group of non-singers cast in the leading roles. The original libretto about romantic assignations, political imprisonments and mistaken identity is burlesqued to the hilt: at one point, the hero finds out that his prison cell is surrounded by rubber tubes!
Director: Paul Verhoeven, Hans H. Zerlett
Runtime: 103 min
Release Date: October 30, 1937
Cast
- Lída Baarová - Maria Weigel / Rosalinde
- Hans Söhnker - Kammersänger Hans Weigel / Eisenstein
- Friedl Czepa - Hanni / Adele
- Jola Jobst - Berta / Ida
- Georg Alexander - Staatsanwalt Wentin / Frank
- Robert Dorsay - Chauffeur Franz / Alfred
- Hans Moser - Hans Moser
- Harald Paulsen - Rechtsanwalt Dr. Rommel / Dr.Falke
- Karl Stepanek - Attaché Baranoff / Orlovsky
- Hans Stiebner - Kapellmeister
Screenplay
Production: Imagoton, Tobis Filmkunst
Country: Germany
Language: Deutsch
Original Language: de
More Films by Director: Paul Verhoeven, Hans H. Zerlett
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Die Fledermaus about?
- The delightful Johann Strauss comic opera Die Fledermaus was mercilessly lampooned in this truly bizarre production. For starters, a framing device has been added: After appearing in 300 consecutive appearances of Fledermaus (which translates as The Bat) the lead tenor (Georg Alexander) imagines that he's seeing bats everywhere. Driven a bit over the edge by all this, he falls asleep and has a nightmare about the opera, with a group of non-singers cast in the leading roles. The original libretto about romantic assignations, political imprisonments and mistaken identity is burlesqued to the hilt: at one point, the hero finds out that his prison cell is surrounded by rubber tubes!
- Who directed Die Fledermaus?
- Die Fledermaus was directed by Paul Verhoeven, Hans H. Zerlett.
- Who stars in Die Fledermaus?
- Die Fledermaus stars Lída Baarová, Hans Söhnker, Friedl Czepa, Jola Jobst, Georg Alexander, Robert Dorsay.
- How long is Die Fledermaus?
- Die Fledermaus has a runtime of 1h 43m (103 minutes).
- Where was Die Fledermaus produced?
- Die Fledermaus was produced in Germany.