In 1940, actress Adina Mandlová demonstrated her star power with this social comedy, playing a simple typist, who manages to find contentment thanks to a series of fortunate coincidences. One day, Julinka Svobodová shares an elevator with her fellow tenant, trade minister Horák (Jaroslav Marvan). When the minister helps Julinka find a job as a secretary, gossips spread the word that the charming woman is a political mistress. Office boss Jan becomes enamoured by the new secretary – but before love can blossom, he is made to understand that the company’s success is in no way dependent on the supposed influential connections of Julinka. Filmed in 1940 by experienced director Vladimír Slavínský, this light-hearted tale served as a second opportunity for Mandlová to create an on-screen pairing with actor Oldřich Nový – the first being 1939’s Kristian.
Julinka Svobodová works as a clerk with the trade company Hrubý and Son. She lives in a rented flat belonging to Mrs Pokorná, by chance in the same house as the Minister of Trade, Dr Horák. Mrs Pokorná, while with good intentions, spreads a rumour that Julinka is the minister's girlfriend. As a result, Julinka loses the friendship of the jealous suitor Evžen, but this does not seem to worry her too much. The company she works for finds itself in financial difficulties. The young boss, Jan Hrubý, decides to use Julinka's "influence" and promotes her to the position of secretary. Julinka is given a higher salary and she does well in her new position so does not bother explaining the misunderstanding. The firm starts to prosper and everyone believes that credit should go to Julinka and her friendship with the minister. The appointment of Jan Hrubý as councillor only confirms their belief. Jan starts to fall in love with Julinka but it irks him that the minister stands in the way of their love. It is only when he asks her to marry him that he discovers by chance that it was all a question of harmless gossip.
úřednice Julinka Svobodová
majitel dovozní firmy František Hrubý
Marie, Hrubého žena
Jan, syn Hrubých
prokurista u firmy Hrubý
ministr obchodu dr. Jaroslav Horák
dámská krejčová Pokorná, Julčina bytná
Mirek Lukeš, Janův kamarád
Karel Hájek, Janův kamarád
italský dodavatel R. Rossi-Rosůlek
druhý bratr G. Rossi-Rosůlek
účetní Evžen Lesný
Helena Koníčková, Janova sestřenice
dr. Koníček, Helenin manžel
sekretář ministra Horáka
zřízenec z ministerstva obchodu
dirigent slovácké kapely
domovnice
písařka Drobná
pokladník
úředník Sláma
úředník
úřednice
úřednice
úředník
paní domácí
domovník
člen tanečního tria ve vinárně
členka tanečního tria ve vinárně
členka tanečního tria ve vinárně
kočébr
vrchní ve vinárně
gratulantka ve vinárně
číšník ve vinárně
prodavač cigaret
host ve vinárně
host ve vinárně
sluha
zpěváci ve vinárně
slovácká kapela
Antonín Frič (fotograf)
Orchestr F.O.K. (Music Conducted by Josef Dobeš)
Song Composer Jiří Mihule
Writer of Lyrics František Kudrna
Singer Adina MandlováOldřich Nový
Singer Setleři
Song Composer Josef Dobeš
Writer of Lyrics František Kudrna
Singer Setleři
Singer Setleři
Přítelkyně pana ministra
Přítelkyně pana ministra
The Minister's Girlfriend
Die Freudin des Herrn Ministers
film
featuretheatrical distribution
comedy
Czechoslovakia
1940
1940
start of filming 19 February 1940
end of filming 6 March 1940
date of censorship 19 March 1940 (kulturně-výchovný)
date of censorship 1943 (predikát „uznáníhodný film“)
withdrawal from distribution 03/1945
premiere 22 March 1940 /suitable for youths/ (kina Letka /2 týdny/, Lucerna /3 týdny/ a Máj /3 týdny/, Praha)
feature film
94 min
2 665 meters
35mm
1:1,37
black & white
sound
Tobis – Klang
Czech
Czech
without subtitles
Czech, German