A young shop-girl gets entangled with professional crooks when a "phony fifty" ends up in her cash register. Recalling details about the customer who must have dropped the note, she herself becomes suspect. With only a few degrees of separation, a predictable chain-reaction of events leads not only to the solving of the "funny money" incident, but to the prevention of a much larger scam, and of course a happy (romantic) ending for the shop girl. -- This film has only 2 big-name German cinema actors, Theo Lingen and Kathe Haak, both in minor supporting roles. The lead, Lucy English, is otherwise known only for her appearances in a pioneering TV series of the late 50s "Die Firma Hesselbach". Watch for the legendary actress/chansoinette Hilde Hildebrandt as the "mysterious customer" who causes all of the uproar. Toward the end of the film, she has one of her famous singing scenes, followed by a regular "scene" (as she is about to be arrested). -- Considering that this comedy/drama was produced in the midst of the Third Reich (filmed right in Berlin), there are absolutely no signs of propaganda or even political references, which was rare during this period. The film did flaunt the newly built U-Bahn, which maintains it's 3rd place after the Paris Metro and the London Underground. Definitely dated with all of its conventions, this is still a very entertaining film, suitable for all audiences. Early 1930's Jazz and Big Band enthusiasts will enjoy the rich score with many live music performances. A delight!*****
Review of The Counterfeit Bill
