Searching for Lost Films of long ago
Marta Eggerth and Jan Kiepura made well over fifty-five movies in six languages between 1929 and 1957. As we approach 2030 - it will be 100 years since both Marta and Jan made their first sound movies and we are now searching for those few films that are lost or damaged. Let's start with the film - "Trara um Liebe"
Marta Eggerth in the role of Countess Maria-Charlotte disguised as a Cadet
Lyrics: Fritz Rotter
Director: Richard Eichberg
Cinematographer: Heinrich Gärtner
In Spanish the Title was "El Amor de Uniforme" describing: "Opereta cinematografica salpicada de alegria con las aventuras y momentos de la vida de los militares".
"An Operetta for film peppered with adventures and joyful moments in military life". Starring: Marta Eggerth, Georg Alexander, Maria Paudler, Felix Bressart, Anton Pointner, Senta Söneland and Ernst Verebes.
Listen to Marta Eggerth and Max Hansen sing Hans May's "I seek this, I need this" - befitting our quest:
Marta Eggerth and Georg Alexander
Photo by famous cinematographer Heinrich Gärtner who became Enrique Guerner in Spain
Poster of Swedish Title
Poster of Spanish Title
Film Kurier: Trara um Liebe
Download Trara um Liebe PDF [1.26 MB pdf]
Plot and Background of Operetta
The story of "Trara um Liebe" is based on Hans Stürm's 1925 play, Liebe und Trompetenblasen or Love and Trumpets which Richard Eichberg had made into a silent film starring Lilian Harvey that year.
Richard Eichberg then remade the film as "Trara um Liebe" starring Marta Eggerth, Georg Alexander, Maria Paudler, Anton Pointner, Felix Bressart, Senta Söneland and Ernst Verebes . The music for this version written by the famous Operetta composer Hans May and the lyrics by Fritz Rotter.
The plot revolves around illicit trysts and infidelity in the military, hence the Spanish title of the film," El Amor de Uniforme." Marta in the role of Countess Maria-Charlotte is the niece of Archduke Max (Anton Pointer).
When the Archduke finds Captain Rudi von Werther (Georg Alexander) in an apparent compromising situation with the Countess, Rudi is forced to marry her. Making matters more complicated Captain Rudi appears to be romantically involved with the Court Actress, Josephine (Maria Paudler) who also happens to be the married Archduke's lover.
The Archduke hastily transfers Rudi to a remote garrison and orders the Commander there, Major Fröschen (Felix Bressart) to look after the young couple's happiness. However, Josephine (disguised as a maid) secretly follows Rudi, so Fröschen thinks Josefine is Rudi's wife. In the meantime the Countess disguises herself as a young Cadet to be able to gain access to the barracks. Rudi, thereupon, discovers his love for his own wife, the Countess. Further mishaps arise.
However, when the Archduke visits the garrison, he finds a happy couple so awards the puzzled Fröschen a high medal of honor for accomplishing his duties. As in most Operetta plots there is a happy ending.
Maria Paudler (Josephine) and Marta Eggerth (Countess)
"Trara um Liebe" - Maria Paudler, Georg Alexander & Marta Eggerth
Other Titles include: Danish Title: Hendes nåde Kammerjomfruen, Hungarian: Feleségem a hadnagy ur
Songs from Film:
Music: Hans May; Text: Fritz Rotter
Trara Die Liebe
Mein Vater war aus Budapest
Wie in einer Kleinen Operette
With very grateful thanks as always to: My Catalan friend Sonia in Barcelona, Dr. Thomas Gayda in Austria and Thomas Krebs in Switzerland. They are all a fountain of knowledge in all aspects of historical recordings, films, posters and artists of pre-war Germany and Austria. Grateful thanks to Photographer Diane Brown in Vermont for retouching the photographs so beautifully