Another version of the eternal story Is it funny when a man dresses up in clothes of the opposite sex and tries to portray a woman? Not always in life. It is quite another thing when it comes to a stage production or a movie, and the main role is played by a talented actor. Therefore, it is not surprising that the comedy of the English playwright Brandon Thomas “Aunt Charles” (another translation of the name – “Aunt Charlie”), based on this plot, barely appeared on the London stage in 1892, had an incredible audience success. This farce was first transferred to the screen in the era of silent cinema, but Soviet and Russian viewers, of course, are most familiar with the film “Hello, I am Your Aunt!”, based on Thomas’ play. So many well-deserved flattering words have been written about this production that it is hardly possible to add anything new to them.
Against this background, the German film adaptation of the play, released in the mid-fifties, looks modest and almost forgotten by the audience. It is safe to say that it is forgotten undeservedly, if only because the main role in this version is played by one of the greatest comedians of world cinema Heinz Ruemann, who in this plot feels in his native element and literally "baths" in the role. Other actors, including Ruemann’s wife in real life Herta Filer, also try their best and do not spoil the picture. Of course, the plot of the play is somewhat changed, and the action is transferred to modern (at the time of the release of the film, of course) Germany. This, however, does not grease the impression of the film and does not reduce the pleasure of watching it.
8 out of 10