Operetta films

Operetta films (German: Operettenfilm) are a genre of musical films associated with, but not exclusive to, German language cinema. The genre began in the late 1920s, but its roots stretch back into the tradition of nineteenth century Viennese operettas.

Although some silent films had based their plots on stage operettas, the genre was largely a result of the switch from silent to sound films. The 1929 film ''Melody of the Heart'', made by the German studio UFA, is credited as being the first "Operetta film". It had been intended as a silent film, but the dramatic arrival of sound forced its production to be switched. Its combination of music and dancing proved to be a successful formula, and it was followed by many similar films.

During the 1930s the trend spread to Britain, where a number of Operetta films were made (often in co-productions with German or Austrian studios), France and the United States. Many German émigré film-makers following the Nazi rise to power in 1933 were able to find work in other countries because of their experience in the genre. In the United States, a popular run of Operetta films were made starring Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. In Britain the 1934 Richard Tauber film '' Blossom Time'' was a major hit, spawning a number of imitations.

Selected films

* ''Melody of the Heart'' (1929)
* ''The Desert Song'' (1929)
* ''The Vagabond King'' (1930)
* ''Viennese Nights'' (1930)
* ''The Land of Smiles'' (1930)
* ''New Moon'' (1930)
* ''Retreat on the Rhine'' (1930)
* ''Song of the Flame'' (1930)
* '' Victoria and Her Hussar'' (1931)
* ''The Love Express'' (1931)
* ''The Emperor's Sweetheart'' (1931)
* ''The Merry Wives of Vienna'' (1931)
* ''Der Kongreß tanzt'' (1931)
* '' Mamsell Nitouche'' (1932)
* ''Gräfin Mariza'' (1932)
* ''Goodnight, Vienna'' (1932)
* '' Bitter Sweet'' (1933)
* '' Bon Voyage'' (1933)
* ''There Is Only One Love'' (1933)
* '' A Southern Maid'' (1933)
* ''The Queen's Affair'' (1934)
* '' A Night in Venice'' (1934)
* '' Princess Charming'' (1934)
* ''Waltzes from Vienna'' (1934)
* ''Frasquita'' (1934)
* '' The Voice of Love'' (1934)
* '' Blossom Time'' (1934)
* ''Two Hearts in Waltztime'' (1934)
* ''Music in the Air'' (1934)
* ''Maskerade'' (1934)
* ''The Merry Widow'' (1934)
* '' Ball at the Savoy'' (1935)
* '' Naughty Marietta'' (1935)
* '' Heart's Desire'' (1935)
* ''The Blonde Carmen'' (1935)
* ''Rose Marie'' (1936)
* '' Dreams Come True'' (1936)
* '' Chaste Susanne'' (1937)
* '' Maytime'' (1937)
* ''The Lilac Domino'' (1937)
* '' The Girl of the Golden West'' (1938)
* ''Roxy and the Wonderteam'' (1938)
* '' Sweethearts'' (1938)
* ''The Mikado'' (1939)
* '' Opera Ball'' (1939)
* ''New Moon'' (1940)
* '' Bitter Sweet'' (1940)
* ''Operetta'' (1940)
* ''The Chocolate Soldier'' (1941)
* '' Vienna Blood'' (1942)
* ''The Desert Song'' (1943)
* ''Silva'' (1944)
* ''Viennese Girls'' (1945)
* ''Waltz Time'' (1945)
* ''The Laughing Lady'' (1946)
* ''Northwest Outpost'' (1947)
* ''The Dancing Years'' (1950)
* '' The Merry Farmer'' (1951)
* '' Imperial Violets'' (1952)
* '' Voices of Spring'' (1952)
* ''The Land of Smiles'' (1952)
* ''The Beauty of Cadiz'' (1953)
* ''The Desert Song'' (1953)
* '' The Flower of Hawaii'' (1953)
* ''Rose Marie'' (1954)
* '' Victoria and Her Hussar'' (1954)
* ''Oklahoma!'' (1955)
* ''Four Days in Paris'' (1955)
* '' Opera Ball'' (1956)
* ''The King and I'' (1956)
* '' The Singer from Mexico'' (1957)
* ''The White Horse Inn'' (1960)
* '' The Bird Seller'' (1962)
* ''The Sound of Music'' (1965)
* ''The Mikado'' (1967)
* ''The Pirates of Penzance'' (1983)

References

Bibliography

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Further reading

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{{Film genres

Film genres
Cinema of Germany
Cinema of Austria
Operetta films