Serata tragica

It's a backstage murder mystery that unfolds during the first night performance of a show. It's a bit static and boring but has an interest in that it is the first film that Zarah Leander made in Germany. Here she plays the lead character (Daviot) who is the star of the musical. Don't expect any dancing skills and don't expect any decent songs - they all sound the same. Leander is basically a Dietrich replacement and the style of song is the same as you would expect from Dietrich as is the lack of dance ability.

The dancing is provided by the rest of the cast who are endlessly tap-dancing. I would normally enjoy this type of set-up but the dancing is just routine. You watch as it is a spectacle but nothing really grabs you. The film also has an interest because the musical numbers are set in an attempt to copy Busby Berkeley. Only not as well.

So, there is an interest in seeing a German attempt at an art deco musical and in seeing Leander but bear in mind that once the film has finished, there is not much to remember about it. It's ok to pass the time.