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5.9/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Dolly macht Karriere remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
So, Dolly macht Karriere. Is it worth tracking down today? Well, if you’re into German musicals from the 1930s, or you have a soft spot for early sound films, then yeah, absolutely give it a look. For folks just dipping their toes into old cinema, this might be a bit of a slow burn. Expect to be charmed if you’re patient, but if you need constant action, you'll probably find it a snooze. 😴
The whole point of this film, it seems, is to put Dolly Haas front and center. She’s an aspiring actress here, and you can tell they want you to see her potential. There’s a scene where she sings a line about having "the walk of Harvey, the mouth of Garbo, and the legs of Dietrich." It's quite the boast, honestly.
I really watched her walk after that. It does have a certain spring to it, a definite pep. Not quite Lilian Harvey's famous energetic bounce, but you can see what they were going for. Her mouth is expressive, full of little quirks and smiles. It’s charming, yes, but Garbo? That’s a tall order.
And the legs! They're good, absolutely. But comparing them to Marlene Dietrich feels like a bold statement. She’s trying hard, though, and you can feel her eagerness through the screen.
Then there’s her composer boyfriend. He’s the classic struggling artist type, you know? Always scribbling notes, humming tunes. You get the feeling he loves her, and her voice, maybe a little more than he loves his own compositions sometimes. Their dynamic is sweet, if a bit simple.
The plot is pretty straightforward: they want to make it big. It’s a familiar story, but it’s told with a certain old-fashioned earnestness. No real big twists, just a series of small hurdles. One moment, they’re almost there, the next, some silly misunderstanding sets them back.
There are these little bits that really stand out. Like, during one of her early audition scenes, the reactions from the producers are just gold. One guy looks utterly bored, another keeps checking his watch. It’s a very real feeling, even for a film from way back then.
The musical numbers are exactly what you’d expect from the era. A little stiff, maybe, but full of enthusiasm. The choreography sometimes feels like everyone learned it five minutes before the cameras rolled. But it’s endearing.
You can tell the sound recording was still a bit new. Sometimes the music sounds a bit muffled, then suddenly it's clearer. It adds to the whole vintage charm, I guess. Or maybe it just makes you squint a bit.
There's a scene in a bustling café where Dolly performs. The crowd scenes have this oddly empty feeling sometimes, like half the extras wandered off for a coffee break. But then a close-up of Dolly's face just lights up the screen. That’s where the magic really happens.
I kept thinking about The Scoffer while watching this, not because they're similar, but just because it's another one of those films where the quiet moments between the characters really try to carry the weight. Here, it's Dolly's charisma doing the heavy lifting.
So, Dolly macht Karriere is not a grand epic. It’s a simple story, told simply. It's a snapshot of a performer on the cusp, full of youthful energy. You watch it for Dolly Haas, and for a peek into a bygone era of moviemaking. It’s a pleasant way to spend an hour and a bit, if you know what you’re getting into.
It certainly leaves you feeling like Dolly Haas really did have a future. And she did, after all. 🎬
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