Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Crime in a Music Hall (1968)

Crime in a Music Hall • Zločin v šantánu (1968)
Crime in a Music Hall • Zločin v šantánu (1968)
Czech New Wave
Genre: Crime | Comedy | Musical
Director: Jiří Menzel
Starring: Eva Pilarová , Jiří Suchý , Jiří Šlitr , Jitka Zelenohorská , Vlastimil Brodský
Language: Czech
Duration: 85 min.
Rating: 6.7
Summary:
Follows the botched investigation of a stolen pearl necklace and a subsequent murder at the Tartaros cabaret.
Crime in a Music Hall  is a film directed by Jiří Menzel, based on a story by Josef Škvorecký, music by Jiří Šlitr and lyrics by Jiří Suchý.

A tribute of sorts to 1930s era Czech crime movies like those directed by Martin Frič, the film is mostly a weakly plotted farce, but with a good amount of the usual Czech New Wave political satire, and has a stellar cast showcasing some enjoyable tunes written and performed by Šlitr and Suchý, alongside other members of the famed Prague Semafor Theatre.

The story centers on Klara Regina (played by Czech singer Eva Pilarová), the flirtatious headliner of the Tartaros cabaret, where she performs every night beside her jealous acrobat husband (Jan Přeučil). Chaos begins after a pearl necklace, a gift from her biggest admirer, the Minister of Justice (Vlastimil Brodský), is stolen from her dressing room. In order to avoid the pearls being discovered and revealed as fake, the Minister orders a quick investigation. A scapegoat (Suchý) is found but things soon get hilariously out of hand when he is assigned public defender Vilém (Šlitr), an incompetent fool who spent 25 years in law school, only graduating because his classmates finished his exam for him.

It's far more slapstick and silly than Menzel's other efforts such as Closely Watched Trains or Capricious Summer. Also, I'm not generally a lover of musicals, and perhaps I'm starting to get a little bit tired of seeing the same political references again and again, but I still was able to enjoy it for what it is. You can tell everyone is having fun here, and the performances are great all around. Another breezy little Czech New Wave film that will put a smile on your face.
Bonjour Tristesse
Crime in a Music Hall • Zločin v šantánu (1968)

Crime in a Music Hall • Zločin v šantánu (1968)

Crime in a Music Hall • Zločin v šantánu (1968)

Crime in a Music Hall • Zločin v šantánu (1968)

Crime in a Music Hall • Zločin v šantánu (1968)

Crime in a Music Hall • Zločin v šantánu (1968)

Crime in a Music Hall • Zločin v šantánu (1968)

Crime in a Music Hall • Zločin v šantánu (1968)

4 comments:

The Angry Lurker said...

Not overly keen on musicals myself....

d_4 said...

Sounds.. simple. It's got comedy and after hearing that piece the musical bit might not be TOO bad.. Dunno. I'll see if I go find this one or not.

Lisa Thatcher said...

Oooohhhh.... Look at all the great films you've had here that I've missed because I've been in deadline hell!
This is already on my list.
I know what you mean about seeing the same political references over and over. I'm starting to feel a little that way myself. Thank GOD the film quality is so incredible.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I was away for a couple weeks so I don't think you missed too much. Anyhow good to have you back. I'm pretty sure this is one you'd enjoy.

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