Katyi

I'm fascinated by films made during World War II, particularly those not from the usual suspect countries, so that made finding Katyi (1942) a real treat. Made in Hungary, which had aligned itself with Nazi Germany, it revolves around a young would-be actress, Katyi, who is humiliated by the star of the theater company, Peter, at her audition so she sets about ruining his life as revenge. When a baby is deposited on Peter's door, Katyi uses the leading man's innate kindness to set her plan in motion.

There is not a hint of war in this. It is part comedy of errors, with a couple of genuine laugh out loud bits, and part backstage musical with a couple of stage numbers included to calm the nerves of a stressed out audience. This could easily have been churned out in Hollywood - or Berlin - it is absolutely of its time stylistically and technically. Director Akos Rathonyi breaks little new cinematic ground but it's easy to see how his career spanned from the '30s to the '60s, although, perhaps suspiciously, he chose West Germany over staying in Hungary after the war. Klari Tolnay as Katyi is good playing just the right amount of goofy minx for her role, as is the charismatic Tivadar Bilicsi as the playboy actor.