This children’s detective story from 1988 turned out to be the last film directed by Radim Cvrček, very much known for specialising in films for children and young people. The narrative follows a simple plot line involving a search for a lynx gone missing from a zoo corner kept at a clubhouse of Domu pionýrů a mládeže (Pioneer Organisation of the Socialist Youth Union). The child protagonists decide to launch their own investigation to establish the whereabouts of their furry pet and in so doing give a helping hand to the Public Security forces (Veřejná bezpečnost, or VB, provided the police force of the period) who are on the trail of a thief of rare coins and postal stamps. As it happens, the villain is smuggling the valuables inside the feline predator’s travel cage. The role of good-natured police captain Váňa, as well as the part of ministry clerk Honzíček in the tragicomedy Dobří holubi se vracejí (Good Pigeons Fly Home, 1988), are two of the last characters portrayed by Vladimír Menšík, 58 at the time of shooting. Menšík stands head and shoulders above the rest of the cast, comprising mostly lesser known actors from Brno or Slovakia.
A minion of local children, Macek the lynx gets stolen one night from the zoo department of the communist Young Pioneers and Youth Centre, located in a small town. The police investigation is led by captain Váňa and lieutenant Paleček. Children, headed by Váňa's grandchild Mirek, decide to search for Macek the lynx as well. Paleček suggests their cooperation. At the same time, the police investigate several thefts of coins and stamp collections. The railman Slepička reports that he saw a red Skoda car in front of the Young Pioneers and Youth Centre. This suspicion leads the investigation to the Astra café. The suspects are the headwaiter, Cejpek, and Lojza Norovský, who owns a red Skoda car. Children are searching for red cars in the city and surroundings. More thefts of old coins and stamps happen in the city. The value of the stolen things is almost a million Czech crowns. From an old doctor, Váňa and Paleček learn that Cejpek has recently been extremely interested in coins and stamps. The police follow Cejpek and they learn he has contact with a foreigner. Váňa and Paleček assume that the foreigner is expected to take the valuables abroad. They connect this case with the theft of the lynx. Their assumption turns out to be true. While arresting the foreigner, they find the lynx in his car. The foreigner allegedly bought it from Cejpek. In the lynx's cage he was supposed to also take the coins and stamps. Lojza Norovský was innocent in the entire case. The lynx Macek is put back to his run and the children drink a toast to success with the policemen.
kapitán VB Váňa
Voice by Pavel Leicman
poručík VB Paleček
Lojza Norovský
Voice by Jaroslav Kaňkovský
vrchní v kavárně Astra Cejpek
lesák
cizinec
praporčík VB Koldas
Voice by Mirko Musil
ošetřovatel Feďa Kramář
babička Marcely
profesor Krása
ředitel Domu pionýrů a mládeže Hybner
Mirek zvaný Logik, vnuk kapitána Váni
Lenka
Voice by Eva Henychová
Terezka
Voice by Lukáš Machalínek
Radek
Voice by Martin Mráz
David
Marcela
Voice by Jiří Racek
Tomášek
Monika
Voice by Adam Zemánek
Michal
Petr
zloděj kufrů
MUDr. Hakim
numismatik Vrána
muž v brýlích
Novotná
Valtr
žena s kožichem
žena z inzerce
Houdek
domovnice
železničář
příslušník VB
Váňova dcera
dubl za Karola Čálika – automobilová honička
dubl za Karola Čálika – automobilová honička
dubl za Pavola Mikulíka – automobilová honička
František Hlaváček, Eva Königová, Jana Juhaňáková
Arne Parduba
Miroslav Makarov, Martin Pospíšil
Josef Šťovíček, Josef Vojtášek, Roman Kubinec, Bohuslav Peloušek
Ivo Strangmüller, Eva Miklová, Pavla Pawlusová, Bernardina Kyselová
Jitka Perůtková
František Šumbera
Jindřich Strachota, Karel Mana
Eva Jordánová (klapka), Otto Kamenský (fotograf)
skupina Javory (Music Conducted by Petr Ulrych)
Song Composer Petr Ulrych
Writer of Lyrics Petr Ulrych
Singer Petr Ulrychdětský sbor
Hurá za ním
Hurá za ním
Go Get Him!
Růžový slon
film
featuretheatrical distribution
detective, children, crime
Czechoslovakia
1988
1987
start of filming 8 July 1987
end of filming 25 August 1987
projection approval 19 February 1988
withdrawal from distribution 31 December 1994
premiere 1 March 1989 /suitable for youths/
feature film
66 min
1 899 meters
16mm, 35mm
1:1,37
colour
sound
mono
Czech
Czech
without subtitles
Czech
Exhibition: 20. národní přehlídka filmů pro děti Ostrov
1988
Ostrov nad Ohří / Czechoslovakia