Enchanting Schlagerfilm / hit film with Caterina Valente and Rudolf Prack
The great Caterina Valente, who only turned 90 years old on January 14th, 2021, can be seen in this film by Paul Martin ("A Blonde Dream" and "Glückskinder", both with the unforgettable Lilian Harvey), which premiered in 1959 at the UFA-Palast in Essen, once again showing their very best side. The Schlagerfilm / hit film was produced as usual by Artur Brauner and his CCC-Film. Filming took place in La Spezia, Italy, and in the CCC film studios in Berlin.
In an enchanting French port town (La Spezia :-), the seamstress Catherine (Caterina Valente) meets the German sailor Willi Schulz (Dietmar Schönherr, 1926-2014, with GOLDEN GLOBE nominee Lilo Pulver in "Kohlhiesel's Daughters" and also as an action star alongside Brad Harris in "White Cargo for Hong Kong" and "The Secret of the Chinese Carnation") know and love. The busy sailor, who of course has a different bride in every port, promises the trusting Catherine that he will get back to her. When she still hasn't heard from her Willi after three months, she travels to sinful Hamburg to look for the unreliable rascal. But since there are many Willi Schulzens in the German Navy, the search is not that easy. Luckily, the handsome captain Chris Behrens (Rudolf Prack, 1905-1981), who secretly has his eye on the lovely Catherine, can help. Much to the dismay of his annoying fiancée (Helen Vita)! Catherine, who can also sing excellently, becomes a celebrated star in St. Pauli with the help of a chance acquaintance (Valente's brother Silvio Francesco), who is looking for his father (Rudolf Vogel), who went missing in Hamburg. Then heartbreaker Willi appears again. Catherine has to decide...
In this predictable plot, which certainly cannot quite achieve the charm of "Hier bin ich, hier bleib ich / Here I am, here I stay" and "Das einfache Mädchen / The Simple Girl" (Ruth Stephan is missing at all ends!!!), Caterina Valente sings the songs "Look I to the sky", "I know everything about you" and "It was in Portugal in May". The exterior shots in La Spezia at the beginning of the film are beautifully done, giving the plot a shimmering shine. The fantastic comedians Trude Herr (1927-1991, "Natürlich die Autofahrer / Naturally the Drivers") and Brigitte Mira (1910-2005, "Angst essen Seele auf / Fear Eats the Soul", "Willi and the Windzors", "The Wicherts from Next Door") also enchant in supporting roles. .
Even if this light hit comedy is certainly not the best of Valente's works, the star was well received not only in German-speaking countries. The lively color film was also sold to Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Greece and Romania. It's just a shame that the Caterina Valente films haven't been shot in widescreen format yet! That would be incredibly beautiful!
