Girl In Blue
Country
CzechoslovakiaCopyright
1939Production year
1939Premiere
26 January 1940Runtime
83 minDirector
Otakar VávraCategory
filmGenre
comedyTypology
featuretheatrical distributionlongOriginal title
Dívka v modrémCzech title
Dívka v modrémEnglish title
Girl In BlueProtectorate parallel title
Das Mädchen in BlauSummary
Otakar Vávra continued his successful directing career even during the era of the Protectorate. The 1939 romantic comedy Dívka v modrém (Girl In Blue) is one of his popular and highly acclaimed features. The protagonist of the film, lawyer Jan Karas, takes an old, “cursed” painting into his custody. The lonely man easily succumbs to the portrait of a beautiful girl. And one day, to his astonishment, the noblewoman steps from the picture frame. She refuses to accept the idea of returning to the painting and eagerly begins complicating her admirer’s life... Vávra’s film is a stylish, popular comedy in the French spirit. Two acting stars put in marvellous performances in the leading roles. The part of Countess Blanka von Blankberg (or student Vlasta who passes as the countess due to the incitement of the protagonist’s larksome friends) is played by Lída Baarová. Karas is portrayed by Oldřich Nový, who also recorded the title song.
Synopsis
Many local dignitaries are gathered at an auction organised by the notary Dr Jan Karas at Lučín castle to sell off the belongings of the late count. Most interest is aroused by a portrait of a beautiful noble girl, but no-one buys it because it is said to be cursed. Until the young count arrives to decide what to do with the portrait, Karas keeps it at home. Fascinated by the beauty of the girl, Karas spends hours in front of the portrait. Then one day he kisses it and the girl comes to life and steps out of the picture. Karas is the more amazed by her accurate use of Old Czech and by her great knowledge of historical circumstances that existed about three centuries earlier. The girl introduces herself as countess Blanka of Blankenberg, and has no intention of getting back into the canvas. Karas, envious of the increasing number of admirers she is attracting, decides to pass her for his niece. But Blanka turns out to be the niece of a friend of his who wanted to play a trick on him. Blanka, whose real name is Vlasta, explains everything to him and does not hide her affection for him. The happy man does not miss his chance but heads straight to the wedding ceremony hall with her.
Note
The performance of the film was held on the 4th of July 1940 on the festival Filmové žně in Zlín.
Film online
Photos
Cast
Lída Baarová
studentka Vlasta/komtesa Blanka z Blankenbergu
Oldřich Nový
notář JUDr. Jan Karas
Jindřich Láznička
kancelista Houžvička
Antonie Nedošinská
hospodyně Otylie
Bedřich Veverka
MUDr. Pacovský, strýc Vlasty
František Paul
lesní inženýr Pavel Čádek
Nataša Gollová
vdova Růžena Smutná
Růžena Šlemrová
Smrčínská
Sylva Langová
Slávinka, dcera Smrčínské
Josef Bělský
hrabě Karel Landa
Vladimír Majer
zámecký kastelán Kylián
Jiří Vondrovič
syn lékárníka, ctitel Blanky
František Kreuzmann
básník alias rytíř Argnan, ctitel Blanky
Vladimír Řepa
velkostatkář Kubelka, ctitel Blanky
Eman Fiala
profesor zeměpisu Třasořítka
Miloš Šubrt
drožkář
František Hlavatý
farář
Václav Pata
komorník na zámku
Eliška Pleyová
Eliška, majitelka módního salonu
Přemysl Pražský
dražitel
Bolek Prchal
zapisovatel na dražbě
Jan W. Speerger
stěhovák
Antonín Jirsa
stěhovák
F. X. Mlejnek
kuchař na zámku
Marie Svobodová
asistentka v módním salonu
Jindra Hermanová
vdova Rosůlková, host u hraběte
Jarmila Holmová
kouřící host u hraběte
Václav Mlčkovský
starosta, host u hraběte
Alois Dvorský
host u hraběte
Karel Veverka
host u hraběte
Hugo Huška
host u hraběte
Jiří Hron
host u hraběte
Josef Oliak
host u hraběte
Antonín Šolc
host u hraběte
Josef Cikán
host u hraběte
Marie Oliaková
host u hraběte
Růžena Kurelová
host u hraběte
Marie Vildová
host u hraběte
Milena Velíšková
host u hraběte
Vladimír Smíchovský
účastník dražby
Bohumil Langer
účastník dražby
František Počta
účastník dražby
František Haller
účastník dražby
Věkoslav Satoria
účastník dražby
Crew and creators
Director
Assistant Director
Screenstory
Screenplay
Director of Photography
Production Designer
Set Designer
Make-Up Artist
Film Editor
Sound Designer
Production Manager
Consultant
Taťana Kubátová (staročeské dialogy)
Cooperation
Willy Ströminger (fotograf)
Music
Music Composed by
Music Performed by
Orchestr F.O.K. (Music Conducted by Sláva Eman Nováček)
Songs
Proč obraz tvůj nedá srdci spát /Dívko v modrém/ (foxtrot)
Song Composer Sláva Eman Nováček
Writer of Lyrics K. M. Walló
Singer Oldřich Nový
Růže nad mojí mříží /Romance/ (foxtrot)
Song Composer Sláva Eman Nováček
Writer of Lyrics K. M. Walló
Singer Lída Baarová
Production info
Original Title
Dívka v modrém
Czech Title
Dívka v modrém
English Title
Girl In Blue
Protectorate Parallel Title
Das Mädchen in Blau
Category
film
Typology
featuretheatrical distribution
Genre
comedy
Origin country
Czechoslovakia
Copyright
1939
Production Year
1939
Production specifications
start of filming 30 November 1939
end of filming 23 December 1939
date of censorship 23 January 1940 (kulturně-výchovný)
date of censorship 1943 (predikáty „lidově hodnotný film“ a „uznáníhodný film“)
withdrawal from distribution 18 May 1945
projection approval 1968
withdrawal from distribution 15 December 1988
Premiere
premiere 26 January 1940 /suitable for youths/ (kino Lucerna /6 týdnů/, Praha)
festival premiere 4 July 1940 (1. Filmové žně 1940 Zlín)
renewed premiere 3 January 1969 /suitable for youths/
Production
With support
Copyright Holders
Studio
Laboratories
Distribution
Lucernafilm (původní 1940), Ústřední půjčovna filmů (öbnovená 1969)
Technical info
Duration typology
feature film
Duration in minutes
83 min
Original length in metres
2 530 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: Národní ceny za umění filmové
1940
Praha / Czechoslovakia
Lída Baarová
Vítěz
Exhibition: 1. Filmové žně 1940 Zlín
1940
Zlín / Czechoslovakia
Lucernafilm s.r.o.
