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.
Dentist Dr Verner wants to get married but, apart from his housekeeper Amálka, he cannot bear any woman near him. He thinks that he will be able to find a simple girl from a lower social class and then he intends taking her in hand. The first attempts end unsatisfactorily and Verner has to recover in the Karlovy Vary spas. Amálka, however, meets a young girl here, Milča Janotová, whom she once nursed and she tells her about the caprices of Dr Verner. After her return from Prague Milča works out a plan. She meets a tramp in a pub, Vendelín Pleticha and asks him to explain to her the way of life of people who live on the fringe of society. She then goes to see Dr. Verner who is captivated by her to such a degree that he takes her into his care in order to educate her even though his dental practice suffers as a result. Verner falls in love with Milča but when he finally tells her of his feelings, the deception accidentally comes out into the open. The offended Verner throws Milča out of his house. Milča, however, uses her cunning once more and pretends that she is dying and in her "delirium" she tells Verner of her love for him. The film ends with the celebration of two weddings - Milča and Verner finally come together and Pleticha marries his old love Amálka.
tulák Vendelín Pleticha
zubař MUDr. Karel Verner
Janotova dcera Milča Janotová
továrník Janota, Milčin otec
Vernernerova hospodyně Amálka Holoubková
pan Chládek
domácí učitel
asistentka MUDr. Vernera
manekýnka
apač
Milčina přítelkyně
pacient
pacient
pacient
pacient
strážník
strážník
strážník
účastník průvodu Vltavanů
účastník průvodu Vltavanů
slepec
výhybkář
apač
prodavač oříšků
párkař
karbaník
raněný na nosítkách
Janotová
Willy Ströminger (fotograf)
Falešná kočička
Falešná kočička
The Little False Cat
Když si žena umíní
When a Woman Gets Her Own Way
film
featuretheatrical distribution
comedy
Czechoslovakia
1926
1926
preview 9 June 1926 (kino Radio, Praha)
premiere 24 September 1926 /unsuitable for youths/ (kina Orient /2 týdny/, Radio /2 týdny/ a Světozor /2 týdny/, Praha)
feature film
115 min
3 279 meters
35mm
1:1,33
black & white
silent
Czech
without dialogue
without subtitles
Czech
Czech