Independent film written by Billie Wilder (from a 'reportage' by Kurt Siodmak) is observant and naturalistic study of pre-Hitler Berliners enjoying the weekend, with emphasis on humour. (Argument about hat brim up or down remanifests itself in Sabrina). Made with style and energy with posing for photographer turning into finished photos, camera placed in the water, interesting positions, couple love-making pans to rubbish, great photography from Eugen Schüfftan. Well put together, though the editor isn't credited. Fred Zinnemann was also involved.
The naturalistic acting from non-professionals is by Erwin Splettstößer, Brigitte Borchert, Wolfgang von Waltershausen, Christl Ehlers and Annie Schreyer, who amusingly spends her Sunday asleep in bed.
The film was picked up by UFA and although it received critical recognition it didn't find an audience. The great days of Pabst and Murnau were over, and cinema audiences were being fed a load of light operetta stuff - as one commentator put it - as a 'distraction' to what was going on economically and politically.
Interesting to see the city then, certainly.
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