''The Trunks of Mr. O.F.'' (German: ''Die Koffer des Herrn O.F.'') is a 1931 German comedy film directed by

Alexis Granowsky Alexis Granowsky (russian: Алексе́й Миха́йлович Грано́вский; 1890–1937) was a Russian theatre director who later became a film director. Granowsky was born as Abraham Azarkh to a Jewish family in Moscow. After study ...

and starring

Alfred Abel Alfred Peter Abel (12 March 1879 – 12 December 1937) was a German film actor, director, and producer. He appeared in more than 140 silent and sound films between 1913 and 1938. His best-known performance was as Joh Fredersen in Fritz Lang' ...

Peter Lorre Peter Lorre (; born László Löwenstein, ; June 26, 1904 – March 23, 1964) was a Hungarian and American actor, first in Europe and later in the United States. He began his stage career in Vienna, in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, before movi ...

, and

Harald Paulsen Harald Paulsen (26 August 1895 – 4 August 1954) was a German stage and film actor and director. He appeared in 125 films between 1920 and 1954. Career Paulsen first appeared on stage at age sixteen. He then studied under from Leopold Jessner, ...

. Produced by Tobis Film, it was made at the

Johannisthal Studios The Johannisthal Studios were film studios located in the Berlin area of Johannisthal. Founded in 1920 on the site of a former airfield, they were a centre of production during the Weimar and Nazi eras. Nearly four hundred films were made at Joha ...

in Berlin with sets designed by the

art director Art director is the title for a variety of similar job functions in theater, advertising, marketing, publishing, fashion, film and television, the Internet, and video games. It is the charge of a sole art director to supervise and unify the visi ...

Erich Czerwonski Erich Czerwonski (1889–1940) was a German art director.Kreimeier p.73 He designed the sets for around a hundred productions during his career. He died in 1940 after being struck by a train during a blackout. Filmography * '' The Black Panther' ...

. The film was shot between 15 September and 17 October 1931 and premiered in Berlin's Mozartsaal on 2 December 1931. The film was then heavily cut down to a shorter running time, and re-released under the

alternative title An alternative title is a media sales device most prominently used in film distribution. Books and films are commonly released under a different title when they are screened or sold in a different country. This can vary from small change to the t ...

''Building and Marrying'' (''Bauen und heiraten''). It received its

Viennese Viennese may refer to: * Vienna, the capital of Austria * Viennese people, List of people from Vienna * Viennese German, the German dialect spoken in Vienna * Music of Vienna, musical styles in the city * Viennese Waltz, genre of ballroom dance * ...

premiere on 4 June 1932. It received a mixed reception from critics who were divided over its non- realist, fantastical elements. The film's screenwriter

Léo Lania Leo Lania ( 1896 – 9 November 1961) was a journalist, playwright and screenwriter. He was born Lazar Herrmann to a Jewish family in Kharkov. Although born in Russian Empire, Lania emigrated to Vienna and served in the Austro-Hungarian Army duri ...

intended it to be a critique of

capitalism Capitalism is an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit. Central characteristics of capitalism include capital accumulation, competitive markets, price system, private pr ...

Plot

When thirteen large suitcases arrive at a hotel in a small town, labeled as belonging to a mysterious O.F., they provoke curiosity and speculation. Rumours begin to spread like wildfire that they belong to a millionaire. Although O.F. fails to appear, his anticipated arrival is a catalyst for a series of dramatic changes in the town.

Cast

References

External links

*
''Die Koffer des Herrn O. F.''
Full movie at the Deutsche Filmothek Films of the Weimar Republic 1931 comedy films German comedy films Films directed by Alexis Granowsky Tobis Film films German black-and-white films Films shot at Johannisthal Studios 1930s German films 1930s German-language films {{1930s-Germany-film-stub