Wait, Max Schreck did a comedy? Serenissimus (1928) is a weird trip

I went into this one mostly because I saw Max Schreck was in the cast list. Most people only know him as the terrifying vampire from Nosferatu, so seeing him in a lighthearted comedy felt like a prank.

Is this worth your time today? If you enjoy digging through the dusty corners of German cinema or want to see a different side of silent film history, then absolutely.

If you hate reading title cards or find 1920s physical humor annoying, you should probably just go watch The Race or something else instead.

The whole movie centers on Hans Junkermann as the 'Serenissimus' character. He plays this aging, incredibly stuffy monarch who seems slightly confused by everything happening around him.

It’s a total farce. The plot about finding the 'last virgin' is really just a thin excuse to have a bunch of characters run around looking ridiculous.

Hans Junkermann has this specific way of puffing out his chest that made me laugh every single time. He looks like a very proud pigeon.

And then there is Max Schreck. He isn't the lead, but he’s just... there.

It is so weird to see him without the claws and the makeup. He has this stiff, formal energy that actually works really well for comedy, even if he still looks a little bit like he might bite someone. 🧛‍♂️

There is a scene at a party where the extras in the background look like they weren't told the camera was rolling. They’re just standing there, blinking, while the main actors are doing these huge, expressive gestures.

The sets are surprisingly nice for what feels like a smaller production. They have that classic Weimar-era look where everything is just a little too sharp and geometric.

It reminds me a bit of the vibe in A Good Little Devil, but way more cynical.

The movie does drag a bit in the middle. There’s a sequence involving a lot of paperwork and official decreeing that goes on for way too many title cards.

I found myself checking my phone during the long outdoor walk scene. It felt like they were just trying to use up the last of the film roll.

But then Sig Arno shows up and does something funny with his face, and the energy picks back up. He’s got one of those rubbery faces that was built for silent movies.

The film doesn't try to be a masterpiece like some of the stuff from that era. It’s just trying to be a good time, which is refreshing when you're used to heavy German expressionism.

One reaction shot of a lady in a giant hat lingers for about five seconds too long. It starts to feel like a staring contest.

I noticed a stray cat in the background of one of the street scenes. I wonder if the director even saw it, or if it just decided it wanted to be in a movie that day. 🐈

Compared to something like Neat But Not Gaudy, this feels a lot more European and messy.

The ending is pretty abrupt. It just kind of... stops.

I guess they ran out of jokes or money, but it works fine for what it is.

It’s not going to change your life, but seeing the 'vampire' Schreck in a tuxedo is worth the price of admission alone.

If you can find a decent copy, give it a go on a rainy Sunday. Just don't expect anything too deep.