I Was a Criminal

Okay, first let me say that all my observations are based on my personal 16mm print, which is a composite of a Film Classics release made up for military use and a television print with complete original titles. To begin, the reel "slate" says Captain From Kopenick Part 1. This means that, up until the film was completed it was planned and produced as The Captain From Kopenick. When it was finished it was given the more generic title PASSPORT TO HEAVEN. Still, the subject matter was not palatable for distributors and the film languished until Film Classics picked it up and gave it yet another generic title I WAS A CRIMINAL. I have footage of the CRIMINAL main titles as well as the complete PASSPORT main titles.

While the original German talkie was sharper and far more indicting, the American film still carries enough wry satire to be thoroughly enjoyable. It also sports a very early score by Daniele Amfitheatrof. In fact, for an independent production the film has some excellent production credits including cinematographer John Alton and editor Dorothy Spencer. The cast is superb, in particular Luis Alberni, Wallis Clark and, of course, the wonderful Albert Bassermann.

The last owner of PASSPORT TO HEAVEN was National Telefilm Associates so, in theory, the picture should be in the Paramount library. Whether or not they actually have materials is another matter.

I ran the film at CineFest in Syracuse in 2013 and it was very well received. Here's hoping a wider audience gets to see the picture at some point in the future.