Peter (1934 film)

Peter
Directed by	Henry Koster
Written by	Sándor Nádas (play) Felix Jackson Johann von Vásáry
Produced by	Joe Pasternak
Starring	Franciska Gaal Felix Bressart Richard Eybner
Cinematography	István Eiben
Edited by	Viktor Gertler
Music by	Nicholas Brodszky
Production companies	Hunnia Filmstúdió Universal Pictures
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date	20 December 1934 (1934-12-20)
Running time	85 minutes
Countries	Austria Hungary
Language	German

Peter is a 1934 Austrian-Hungarian comedy film directed by Henry Koster and starring Franciska Gaal, Felix Bressart and Richard Eybner.

Plot

After a young woman and her grandfather run into financial trouble, she (forced by a thief to wear his clothes) tries to earn money selling newspapers, loudly yelling false news to advertise them.

A young doctor arguing that "truth is the mothermilk of the civilisation", destroys the newspapers and tries to leave in his car, but is blocked by her, causing him to destroy a telephone booth.

Arrested still wearing the thief's male clothes with his wig found in the trouser pocket, she and grandfather are dragged in front of an understanding but severe judge who make them to pay for the telephone booth.

The doctor, moved by the tears for having caused trouble for the 'boy' and her grandfather, asks his garage manager to hire 'him' and secretly pays the fine.

When she discovers the doctor has no clients, she starts helping him find some in daring ways. The doctor discovers she is not a boy, but continues the charade. There is a happy ending when she finds out he has secretly helped her and her grandfather.

Production

The film was made by German-based subsidiary of the American studios Universal Pictures, whom Gaal was under contract to. The rise of the Nazi Party mean that Gaal could no longer work in Germany, so production of her films were switched to Vienna and Budapest.

Its plot was drawn from a stage play by Sándor Nádas. It was made at the Hunnia Film Studios in Budapest. The film's sets were designed by art director Márton Vincze. Josef von Báky, later a leading director, worked as assistant director on the film.

Cast

• Franciska Gaal as 17-year-old Eva
• Felix Bressart as Eva's grandfather
• Richard Eybner as a party guest
• Hans Jaray as Doctor Robert Bandler
• Sigurd Lohde as a police officer
• Grete Natzler as Mary
• Anton Pointner as Steffani
• Hans Richter as Hobby, an apprentice
• Imre Ráday as a thief
• Ludwig Rüth as Panne
• Etha von Storm
• Otto Wallburg as Mr. Zöllner, a garage-owner

Bibliography

• Hans-Michael Bock and Tim Bergfelder. The Concise Cinegraph: An Encyclopedia of German Cinema. Berghahn Books.

External links

• Peter at IMDb