The Little False Cat

Summary

Svatopluk Innemann's silent comedy The Little False Cat (1926) is interesting mainly because in this film we can see second film role of a well–known comedian Vlasta Burian (his first film, Tutankhamen, from 1923, has not been preserved). The theme explicitly draws inspiration from Shaw's Pygmalion. The dentist Verner wants to raise a bride for himself, who comes from poor conditions. In disguise, he is offered intelligent and energetic Milča. She chooses the vagabond Vendelín Pleticha (Vlasta Burian) as a fictional father, who, apart from his own comedy, also brings traditional elements of the American slapstick into the plot (policemen, bicycle and car rides, costumes, and classic swaps). Sometimes Burian resembles Charlie Chaplin, not only for wearing a similar costume. – The script was written by the humourist Josef Skružný with his sixteen-year-old assistant Elmar Klos. Skružný was a friend of Klos’ family and the young man stayed at his place for some time. They also collaborated on other films by Innemann's team, which, along with Burian, included the director's wife, actress Zdena Kavková. Klos, as an enthusiastic cinephile, added some gags to the film and gave the script final form. – An interesting part in Falešká Kočička film is a very short, red–coloured scene, where Milča appears in a swimsuit to the blush of the young schoolteacher.

Synopsis