I watched An Orphan Boy of Vienna and it was... a lot of singing

Is this one worth your time?

If you have a soft spot for old-school melodrama and kids singing in very high voices, then sure, give it a go. It’s a sweet enough movie from 1936 that feels like a time capsule of an Austria that doesn't really exist anymore.

But if you hate the sound of choral music or get bored by plots where nobody just talks to each other, you’ll probably want to skip this one. It’s definitely not an action flick like Beyond the Law.

The story follows this kid named Toni. He’s an orphan living on the streets with his dog, and honestly, the dog is the best part of the first twenty minutes.

Toni has a great voice, so he ends up joining the Wiener Sängerknaben. That's the Vienna Boys Choir for those of us who don't speak German.

The movie basically turns into a huge advertisement for the choir after that. They wear these little sailor suits and sing constantly.

I counted at least four full songs before the plot actually started moving. It’s a bit like watching Winnie's Vacation if Winnie just sang high-pitched hymns the whole time.

The main kid, Erich Scholz, has this very intense way of staring. He looks like he’s trying to memorize the cameraman’s grocery list while he’s singing.

There is a scene where the boys are all in a dormitory. The way they all move in unison is a bit creepy, like they’re part of a tiny, polite hive mind.

Then we get to the drama. Some money is stolen from a teacher, or maybe it was a priest, I honestly lost track of who was who for a second.

Toni decides to take the blame for the theft. Why? Because he’s the 'new kid' and he wants to protect a friend, I guess.

It’s one of those movie moments where you’re just screaming at the screen for the kid to stop being so noble and just tell the truth. It reminds me of the weird logic in some silent films, like The Reckless Sex.

One thing I really liked was the location shooting. They go to this castle in the Tyrolean mountains and it looks stunning, even in grainy black and white.

There’s a shot of the boys walking up a mountain path that looks like a moving postcard. You can almost feel the cold air, which is a nice break from the stuffy indoor sets.

The sound quality is... well, it’s from 1936. There’s a constant hiss in the background that makes it feel like the movie is being whispered to you by a ghost.

I noticed a mistake in one scene where a kid in the background is clearly looking at the boom mic. He looks so confused for about three seconds before he remembers he’s supposed to be a professional singer.

The adults in the movie are all very stern. They have these big mustaches and they spend a lot of time looking disappointed at children.

It feels a lot more stiff than something like Girls About Town. There’s no flirting here, just lots of lessons about honor and sacrifice.

The dog comes back later in the movie, thank goodness. I was actually worried they’d just forgotten about him once Toni got into the fancy school.

There’s a scene where the choir sings on a boat. The water looks so still it’s almost like they filmed it in a giant bathtub.

I think my favorite part was a small moment where one of the boys tries to sneak a piece of bread during a rehearsal. It felt like a real human moment in a movie that is otherwise very staged.

The ending is very sugary. Everything gets resolved in a way that feels a bit too easy, but I guess that’s what people wanted in the 30s.

It’s not a masterpiece, and it’s definitely not as fun as Hotel Continental. But it has a certain charm if you’re in the right mood.

Just be prepared for the singing. So. Much. Singing. 🎵

I also noticed that the uniforms always look perfectly pressed, even when the kids are supposedly hiking. That’s some serious laundry magic right there.

One of the teachers has a reaction shot that lasts way too long. He just stares at Toni for like ten seconds while the music swells, and it gets kind of funny after the fifth second.

Overall, it’s a decent watch if you’re a fan of the era. It’s harmless and a bit slow, but it’s got a good heart.

I’d give it a pass if you’re looking for something with actual stakes. But for a Sunday afternoon with a cup of tea? It works.