This one is pretty much defeated by a Women's Magazine plot where poor Lida Baarova is thrown out of home for messing with step father and gets a spot in bar buffet where, naturally, she attracts the attention of the males. Will she settle for the Tubercular composer or the well heeled older admirers?
Any glimpse of the Czech films of the thirties is welcome, with this one an early hit by Vavra who would have an extraordinary life fitting the excellent KRAKATIT, FIRST RESCUE PARTY and ROMANCE FOR BUGLE into his hundred year life, as he served the country's full spectrum of political masters.
He really sweats this one - constant tracking, brisk editing of well chosen angles and an attempt to disguise the fact that the short studio street has to pass as all the exteriors. Note the shot of the peep hole eye seen through Miss Baarova's head as she knocks.
Even so, everyone seems to old for their part and the film is formula and projects a grim picture of it's society.
Any glimpse of the Czech films of the thirties is welcome, with this one an early hit by Vavra who would have an extraordinary life fitting the excellent KRAKATIT, FIRST RESCUE PARTY and ROMANCE FOR BUGLE into his hundred year life, as he served the country's full spectrum of political masters.
He really sweats this one - constant tracking, brisk editing of well chosen angles and an attempt to disguise the fact that the short studio street has to pass as all the exteriors. Note the shot of the peep hole eye seen through Miss Baarova's head as she knocks.
Even so, everyone seems to old for their part and the film is formula and projects a grim picture of it's society.
