The Magic House
Country
CzechoslovakiaCopyright
1939Production year
1939Premiere
21 November 1939Runtime
109 minDirector
Otakar VávraCategory
filmGenre
drama, psychologicalTypology
featuretheatrical distributionlongOriginal title
Kouzelný důmCzech title
Kouzelný důmEnglish title
The Magic HouseProtectorate parallel title
Das ZauberhausSummary
Otakar Vávra directed this compelling psychological drama, using his own screenplay based on the eponymous novel by K. J. Beneš. The protagonist is a young woman suffering from memory loss after a plane crash, who finds shelter in the household of the Balvín family. The stranger’s presence stirs turmoil into the settled existence of her hosts and triggers amorous feelings in both the unstable Vilém and his perceptive brother Martin... Vávra cast Adina Mandlová as the woman searching for both her past and a new future. Under his stewardship she renders what amounts to the most weighty and complex character of her acting career. The trio of female hosts are played by the distinguished stage actresses Růžena Nasková, Leopolda Dostalová and Terezie Brzková, while Eduard Kohout and Vávra’s favourite actor, Zdeněk Štěpánek, appear in the male roles.
Synopsis
The pampered daughter of a prominent industrialist, Marie, is the sole survivor of a plane crash. On the roadway amid the Moravian forests Vilém Balvín finds her and transports her to his home, in which reside three generations of his family. The girl awakens from her unconsciousness with an utter loss of memory. She remains in the enchanted home to which, however, she has brought disquiet and agitation. Vilém, afflicted by a head injury incurred in the war, hangs himself out of unhappiness and his carefully concealed love for Marie. Yet between Marie and the younger brother of Vilem's, the teacher Martin, there soon arises a tender amorous affection. Together they search for Marie's identity. Seven weeks later a fairground magician returns to Marie her memory under hypnosis. At this moment, however, from a congenial and amiable girl she becomes an aloof dame who wants nothing to do with Martin and insists that her father will come and take her away. At the last moment she in the end recalls the happiness she knew in the enchanted home, and she returns to Martin.
Photos
Cast
Adina Mandlová
Marie Ungrová
Růžena Nasková
Vilemína Balvínová
Leopolda Dostalová
teta Hedvika Balvínová
Terezie Brzková
teta Anna Balvínová
Zdeněk Štěpánek
Martin Balvín, syn Vilemíny
Eduard Kohout
Vilém Balvín, syn Vilemíny
Světla Svozilová
Rosa
František Kreuzmann
kouzelník Caligari
Karel Dostal
Rudolf Unger, generální ředitel železáren, otec Marie
Vladimír Řepa
JUDr. Alfred Urban, Ungerův právník
Otto Rubík
Lariš, snoubenec Marie
Jaroslav Průcha
lékař
Jaroslav Vojta
Otradovec
L. H. Struna
Penc
Marie Ježková
hospodyně Barbora
Vladimír Štros
čeledín
Václav Suldovský
čeledín
Aša Vašátková
prodavačka
Jaroslav Tryzna
pouliční fotograf
Jindřich Fiala
asistent kouzelníka
Karolína Vávrová
návštěvnice kouzelnického představení
Růžena Kurelová
dáma ze společnosti ve snu
Crew and creators
Director
Assistant Director
Continuity
Based on
K. J. Beneš (Kouzelný dům – román)
Screenplay
Director of Photography
Production Designer
Set Designer
Costumes
Make-Up Artist
Film Editor
Sound Designer
Production Manager
Cooperation
Willy Ströminger (fotograf)
Music
Music Composed by
Selected Music
Antonín Dvořák (Milostná píseň)
Music Performed by
Orchestr F.O.K. (Music Conducted by František Škvor)
Production info
Original Title
Kouzelný dům
Czech Title
Kouzelný dům
English Title
The Magic House
Protectorate Parallel Title
Das Zauberhaus
Category
film
Typology
featuretheatrical distribution
Genre
drama, psychological
Origin country
Czechoslovakia
Copyright
1939
Production Year
1939
Production specifications
start of filming 09/1939
end of filming 10/1939
date of censorship 11/1939
end of filming 5 November 1939 (ateliéry)
date of censorship 18 June 1943 (predikáty „uznáníhodný film“ a „film pro Den hrdinů“)
withdrawal from distribution 11/1944
projection approval 02/1969
withdrawal from distribution 30 June 1990
Premiere
premiere 21 November 1939 /unsuitable for youths/ (kina Na Příkopě /1½ týdne/ a Světozor /2½ týdne/, Praha)
renewed premiere 20 March 1969 /unsuitable for youths/
Production
With support
Copyright Holders
Studio
Laboratories
Distribution
Elekta (původní 1939), Ústřední půjčovna filmů (obnovená 1969)
Technical info
Duration typology
feature film
Duration in minutes
109 min
Original length in metres
3 100 meters
Distribution carrier
35mm
Aspect ratio
1:1,37
Colour
black & white
Sound
sound
Sound system/format
Tobis – Klang
Versions
Czech
Dialogue languages
Czech
Subtitles languages
without subtitles
Opening/End credits languages
Czech
Awards
Vítěz
Event: Anketa deníku Večer – O nejlepší český film roku 1939 a o nejoblíbenější českou filmovou herečku a herce
1940
Praha / Czechoslovakia
Vítěz
Event: Anketa deníku Večer – O nejlepší český film roku 1939 a o nejoblíbenější českou filmovou herečku a herce
1940
Praha / Czechoslovakia
Adina Mandlová
Vítěz
Event: Anketa deníku Večer – O nejlepší český film roku 1939 a o nejoblíbenější českou filmovou herečku a herce
1940
Praha / Czechoslovakia
Terezie Brzková
Vítěz
Event: Anketa deníku Večer – O nejlepší český film roku 1939 a o nejoblíbenější českou filmovou herečku a herce
1940
Praha / Czechoslovakia
Růžena Nasková
