This clip-based retrospective, connected via a skeleton of newly-filmed scenes, has a somewhat unusual back-story: the Semafor Theatre, whose ensemble cast contributes to this film, operated at the site of the former Nové divadlo – Oldřich Nový’s home stage. However, since the key figure at the Semafor Theatre, Jiří Suchý, was banned from appearing on the silver screen for his political views, this project, conceived by director Rudolf Adler, was taken over by Vladimír Čech, who was somewhat less squeamish about working under regime duress. The year of 1980 thus yielded an escapist film about one of the most popular Czech actors of the first half of the 20 century – albeit one which does not feature a newly-filmed appearance from Nový himself, who was 81 at the time, and had already retired from acting. The story sees prominent contemporary actors, singers and musicians attending a birthday party held for the interwar star. Renditions of Nový’s songs alternate with sequences from his films and recordings of the actor’s voice.
The Semafor Theatre is preparing a birthday celebration for the actor Oldřich Nový. The venue is more than appropriate, as this is the very location of the former New Theatre owned and managed by this popular actor, singer, dancer and director. The actor receives many flowers and these are taken care of by a pretty flower-girl called Zdenička. The girl's beauty incites interest of several men: the director, the local dandy and the clown. The great banquet is attended by many actors, singers and musicians: Ferdinand Havlík Orchestra, František Filipovský, Ljuba Hermanová, Eva Pilarová, Karel Gott, Jiří Korn, Raoul Schránil, Nelly Gajerová, Jiřina Bohdalová, Ela Šárková and many others. While awaiting the guest of honour, everybody is drinking wine, enjoying the buffet and talking to each other. The singers occasionally sing their hit songs and sections of Oldřich Nový's films are projected. The dandy and the clown keep trying to impress Zdenička. Then, suddenly, the stage manager realizes that he forgot to deliver the invitation to Oldřich Nový. He persuades one of the present journalists to go and fetch the actor. The attempt fails and the actor does not come. Instead, the journalist brings a recording of Nový's speech in which he describes his way to success and to happiness not only for himself, but also for others.
klaun
seladon
květinářka Zdenička
režisér
režisérova dívka Edita
reportér
inspicient Karel Patočka
rekvizitář
zpěvačka
Vladimír
bufetářka
bufetářka
saxofonista Evžen
domovnice
číšník
ona sama, zpěvačka
on sám, zpěvák
on sám, zpěvák
ona sama, herečka
ona sama, herečka
on sám, herec
on sám, herec
příslušník VB
strážmistr VB
herečka
on sám, herec
on sám, herec
on sám, dirigent
ona sama, herečka
ona sama, herečka
on sám
ona sama, herečka
on sám, herec
návštěvnice
on sám, herec
on sám, herec
ona sama, herečka
ona sama, zpěvačka
on sám, zpěvák
ona sama, zpěvačka
on sám, herec
ona sama, herečka
on sám, herec
on sám, dirigent a hudebník
herečka
ona sama, herečka
herec
on sám, herec
on sám, herec
on sám, herec
on sám, kameraman a herec
on sám, herec
tanečnice
tanečnice
tanečnice
tanečnice
dívka
on sám, lékař
herec
herec
herečka
herečka
technik Semaforu
technik
technička
technik
technik
technik
technik
dirigent
hudebník
hudebník
hudebník
hudebník
prodavač
číšník
manekýnka
manekýnka
muž s monoklem
rekvizitář
návštěvnice divadla
hlas ze záznamu, on sám
Cvrček Jiří ml., Karel Krejčí, Eva Slívová
Jiří Holeček, Juraj Zach
Zdeněk Boubelík
Lenka Rambousková (klapka), Jan Kuděla (fotograf)
Orchestr Ferdinanda Havlíka (Music Conducted by Ferdinand Havlík)
Song Composer Sláva Eman Nováček
Writer of Lyrics Oldřich Nový
Singer Jiří Korn
Song Composer Sláva Eman Nováček
Writer of Lyrics Antonín Špatenka
Singer Jitka Nováková
Song Composer Josef Stelibský
Writer of Lyrics Karel MelíšekVladimír Slavínský
Singer Eva Svobodová
Song Composer Jára Beneš
Writer of Lyrics Jaroslav MottlJosef Neuberg
Singer Mary Grossová
Song Composer Sláva Eman Nováček
Writer of Lyrics Oldřich Nový
Singer Oldřich Nový
Song Composer Petr Hapka
Writer of Lyrics Zdeněk Rytíř
Singer Jiří Korn
Song Composer František Svojík
Song Composer Jiří Mihule
Writer of Lyrics František Kudrna
Singer Eva PilarováOldřich Nový
Song Composer Sláva Eman Nováček
Writer of Lyrics Josef Gruss
Singer Karel AugustaOldřich Nový
Song Composer Julius Kalaš
Writer of Lyrics Karel Hrnčíř
Singer Oldřich Nový
Song Composer Sláva Eman Nováček
Writer of Lyrics K. M. Walló
Singer Karel Gott
V hlavní roli Oldřich Nový
V hlavní roli Oldřich Nový
Starring Oldřich Nový
Dobrý večer pane Nový / Růže pro Oldřicha N. / Růže / Růže pro Oldřicha Nového
film
featuretheatrical distribution
music, comedy
Czechoslovakia
1980
1980
literary Screenplay approved 26 June 1979
start of filming 21 January 1980
technical Screenplay approved 27 February 1980
end of filming 17 June 1980
projection approval 26 June 1980
withdrawal from distribution 31 December 1986
premiere 5 December 1980 /suitable for youths/
Dramaturgická skupina Drahoslava Makovičky, Drahoslav Makovička (vedoucí dramaturgické skupiny)
feature film
87 min
2 479 meters
16mm, 35mm
1:1,37
colour
sound
mono
Czech
Czech
without subtitles
Czech