Gretel and Liesel (1923) Review: Henny Porten Yelling at Herself

If you have about an hour and want to see what people in the 1920s thought was peak comedy, you should definitely watch this. It is worth it just to see the technical trickery they used back then.

People who like slapstick and those 'double role' movies where one person plays twins or sisters will have a good time. If you hate over-acting or old movies where people run around in circles, you will probably hate this one.

It is a remake of a movie Ernst Lubitsch did a few years earlier. Honestly, it feels a bit more grounded in the dirt of the farm than the original did.

The story is so simple a kid could follow it. A guy named Peter wants to marry the pretty sister, Gretel.

But the dad is a bit of a grouch. He says the older, 'uglier' sister Liesel has to get married first.

Henny Porten plays both sisters. She is really the only reason to watch the whole thing.

When she is Gretel, she is all smiles and light. It is fine, but a little bit boring to be honest.

But when she is Liesel? Man, she goes full gremlin mode.

She wears this messy wig that looks like a bird nested in it. She stomps around and throws things.

There is this one scene where she is eating at the table and just making a total mess. She looks like she is having the time of her life being gross.

It reminds me a little bit of the energy in Tricky Girl. Just that raw, physical comedy that doesn't care if it looks pretty.

The trick shots where both sisters are on screen at the same time are actually pretty good. You can see the line where the two shots meet if you squint, but for 1923, it is impressive.

I noticed the the background actors look like they are actually laughing at her. Like, they aren't even acting, they are just watching Henny Porten be crazy.

The movie is way better than The Constabule. That one felt like it was dragging its feet, but this one moves pretty fast.

I liked the part where the guys try to trick Liesel into thinking they love her. It is kind of mean, actually.

You start to feel bad for her even though she is a total nightmare to be around. She just wants someone to like her for being a mess.

The costumes are very 'rural Germany.' Lots of heavy fabric and boots that look like they weigh ten pounds each.

It makes the movement feel heavy. Every time someone falls down, you can almost feel the thud on the floor.

The pacing is way more consistent than The Fearless Rider. That movie had some weird gaps where nothing happened for ten minutes.

Here, if there is a lull, someone just kicks a bucket or falls off a chair. It keeps you awake.

I did find myself wondering how long it took to change her makeup between shots. Her face as Liesel is all scrunched up and weird.

There is a bit with a ladder that goes on for a while. It is classic silent movie stuff where you know exactly what is going to happen, but you still wait for it.

The guys in the movie, like Fritz Kampers, are mostly just there to react to her. They do a lot of wide-eyed staring.

It is not quite as charming as The Soapsuds Lady. That one had a bit more heart to it.

This is more about the chaos. The farm feels like a real place, though, which I liked.

The windows are small and the rooms look dark. It doesn't look like a shiny movie set.

It makes the comedy feel more real, I guess. Like this is just a weird family in a weird village.

I think the middle part where they are at the fair is the best bit. There is a lot of crowd movement and it feels very alive.

It is definitely better than Now You're Talking. I couldn't even finish that one.

One thing that was weird was the music in the version I saw. It didn't really fit the mood of the scenes.

But that is not the movie's fault. That is just how these old silents go sometimes.

The ending is a bit of a 'wait, that's it?' moment. It wraps up very fast once the main problem is solved.

I would have liked to see more of the aftermath. But they probably ran out of film or just wanted to go home.

It is much more fun than A Snitch in Time. That one was too dry for me.

If you like seeing a famous actress humiliate herself for a laugh, check it out. 🍺

Liesel’s facial expressions are going to be in my head for a few days. She does this thing with her lip that is just wrong but funny.

Anyway, it is a solid little film. Not a masterpiece, but it doesn't try to be.

I forgot to mention the cat. There is a cat in one scene that looks very confused by all the yelling.

That cat was the most relatable thing in the whole movie. 🐈

Definitely better than Follow Thru if you are looking for actual laughs.

Watch it on a Sunday afternoon when you don't want to think too hard. It’s good for that.