Marika Rökk was a German-Austrian dancer, singer and actress of Hungarian descent who gained prominence in German films in the Nazi era. She resumed her career in 1947 and was one of Europe's most famous operetta singers, performing onstage until 1986.
Zarah Leander was a Swedish singer and actress whose greatest success was in Germany between 1936 and 1943, when she was contracted to work for the state-owned Universum Film AG (UFA). Although no exact record sales numbers exist, she was probably among Europe's best-selling recording artists in the years prior to 1945. Her involvement with UFA caused her films and lyrics to be identified as Nazi propaganda. Though she had taken no public political position and was dubbed an "Enemy of Germany" by Joseph Goebbels, she remained a controversial figure for the rest of her life. As a singer, Leander was known for her confident style and her deep contralto voice, and was also known as a "female baritone".
Mady Rahl was a German stage and film actress. Born Edith Gertrud Meta Raschke in Neukölln, Rahl trained as an actress and dancer. In 1935, she made her stage debut in Leipzig under the direction of Douglas Sirk and started her film career in 1936 with the movie The Mysterious Mister X. With her role in the circus drama Truxa (1937), Rahl became known to a wider audience. After the war, she sang with her friend Elfreide Datzig for the USO. She ultimately appeared in approximately 90 movies, several of them for UFA. In later years, she appeared frequently on television, while also pursuing her career in the theatre. She was occasionally active in German dubbing, lending her voice to Lucille Ball, Ma Gorg on the puppet series Fraggle Rock, and others.
Women Are Better Diplomats is a 1941 German musical comedy film from the Nazi era. Directed by Georg Jacoby and starring Marika Rökk, Willy Fritsch and Aribert Wäscher. It was based on a novel by Hans Flemming. The film was the first German feature film to be made in colour, and was one of the most expensive films produced during the Third Reich. The film met with a positive public response and was among the most popular German films of the early war years.
Die Fledermaus is a 1962 Austrian musical film directed by Géza von Cziffra and starring Peter Alexander, Marianne Koch and Marika Rökk. It is an adaptation of the operetta Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II, Karl Haffner and Richard Genée.
Kora Terry is a 1940 German drama film directed by Georg Jacoby and starring Marika Rökk, Will Quadflieg and Josef Sieber.
The Divorcée is a 1953 German musical film directed by George Jacoby and starring Marika Rökk, Johannes Heesters and Hans Nielsen. It was based on the operetta Die geschiedene Frau by Leo Fall and Victor Léon. It was shot at the Bavaria Studios in Munich. The film's sets were designed by the art director Robert Herlth.
A Night in May is a 1938 German comedy film directed by Georg Jacoby and starring Marika Rökk, Viktor Staal, and Karl Schönböck.
Gasparone is a 1937 German musical comedy film directed by Georg Jacoby and starring Marika Rökk, Johannes Heesters and Heinz Schorlemmer. It is based on the operetta Gasparone by Carl Millöcker with a libretto by F Zell and Richard Genée. It was shot at the Babelsberg Studios and on location in Croatia. The film's sets were designed by the art director Erich Kettelhut. It premiered at the Ufa-Palast am Zoo in Berlin.
Child of the Danube is a 1950 Austrian musical film directed by Georg Jacoby and starring Marika Rökk, Fred Liewehr and Harry Fuß. It was one of a cycle of popular musicals made by Jacoby and Rökk. The film was shot using Agfacolor at the Soviet-controlled Rosenhügel Studios in Vienna. Location shooting took place around Linz on the River Danube. The film's sets were designed by the art director Julius von Borsody.
The Woman of My Dreams is a 1944 German musical comedy film directed by Georg Jacoby and starring Marika Rökk, Wolfgang Lukschy and Walter Müller.
Hello Janine! is a 1939 German musical film directed by Carl Boese and starring Marika Rökk, Johannes Heesters and Rudi Godden. It was shot at the Babelsberg Studios in Potsdam. The film's sets were designed by the art directors Ernst H. Albrecht and Erich Kettelhut. Along with Der Bettelstudent (1936) and Gasparone (1937) it helped establish Rökk as a major star, an effective replacement for La Jana. After the Second World War it was rereleased by Gloria Film.
The Marathon Runner is a 1933 German sports film directed by Ewald André Dupont and starring Brigitte Helm, Hans Brausewetter and Ursula Grabley. It was based on a 1928 novel by Werner Scheff, adapted by screenwriter Thea von Harbou. The film focuses on a love triangle between three German athletes competing at the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. It was shot at the Johannisthal Studios in Berlin with sets designed by the art directors Ernő Metzner and Erich Zander. The German premiere took place at the Ufa-Palast am Zoo. It was the last film Dupont made in Germany, before escaping into exile following the rise to power of the Nazis.
Sensation in San Remo is a 1951 West German musical comedy film directed by Georg Jacoby and starring Marika Rökk, Peter Pasetti and Ewald Balser. It was one of Rökk's most successful post-war films. The film is partly set at the Sanremo Festival in Italy. It was shot at the Bendestorf Studios with location shooting taking place on the Italian Riviera in the vicinity of Sanremo. It was made in Agfacolor. The film's sets were designed by the art director Erich Kettelhut.
At the Green Cockatoo by Night is a 1957 West German musical film directed by Georg Jacoby and starring Marika Rökk, Dieter Borsche and Renate Ewert.
Wedding Night in Paradise is a 1962 Austrian musical comedy film directed by Paul Martin and starring Peter Alexander, Marika Rökk and Waltraut Haas. Along with a number of films of the era it also features a performance by the Kessler Sisters.
Mask in Blue is a 1953 West German musical film directed by Georg Jacoby and starring Marika Rökk, Paul Hubschmid and Wilfried Seyferth. It was made at the Bavaria Studios in Munich and on location in Rome. The film's sets were designed by the art director Erich Kettelhut. It was shot in Agfacolor. It is an operetta film based on the stage work of the same name composed by Fred Raymond. A previous film version was made in 1943.
Carousel is a 1937 German musical film directed by Alwin Elling and starring Marika Rökk, Georg Alexander, and Paul Henckels. It was shot at the Babelsberg Studios of UFA in Potsdam. The film's sets were designed by the art directors Artur Günther and Karl Vollbrecht.
Diamonds is a 1937 German mystery film directed by Eduard von Borsody and starring Hansi Knoteck, Viktor Staal, and Hilde Körber.
Detours to Happiness is a 1939 German drama film directed by Fritz Peter Buch and starring Ewald Balser, Lil Dagover and Viktor Staal. It was shot at the Tempelhof Studios in Berlin and on location in Kitzbühel in the Tyrol in annexed Austria. The film's sets were designed by the art directors Wilhelm Depenau and Ludwig Reiber. It was distributed by UFA, Germany's largest film company of the era.
