The veil of forgetfulness has gradually blurred the image of the blonde vaporous and Anny Ondra Czech actress
whose fame was great for the years 20 and 30 in throughout Europe.
Comique in petticoats, pulling the most intractable situations, the vivacious blonde with platinum announced more than 10 years ahead of the American heroines of screwball comedies.
daughter of an officer of the Imperial Austro-Hungarian, Anny Ondra was born in Poland in 1902 before moving to Prague with her parents. Fascinated by the theater and dance, the girl took classes in comedy. Noticed by the director Gustav Machatý (which will later his compatriot Hedy Lamarr
a star with the international film Ecstasy), Anny obtained in 1919 a role in thriller "The girl with little feet," despite strong opposition from his parents, angry that their daughter run wild by marrying the art of showman. The grace and beauty of the young actress does not let her indifferent partner Karel Lamac talented, seductive on screen, but also director, technical director and screenwriter. It proposes the role of his new movie "Gilly discovers Prague," a farce that will make the two actors dream couple of Czech cinematography. Between the two artists, the first strictly professional relationship will quickly take a turn much more intimate ... to the great anger of father of Anny Ondra.
In all cases, the two actors will follow up movies, sometimes under the direction of another director. Anny Ondra there rode his character as a young woman and irresponsible child who combines the gaffes and uncovering when the opportunity presents its lovely gams.
Needless to say, many of these silent films to date are considered lost, and that he remains only a few shots (the only daughter of Ève1928) is available on DVD). While the Czech cinema has a bad password, the couple founded a production company the Kalosfilm which will quickly become lucrative: the film "Paradise White 1924 is so popular in Germany that the Czech star was invited there for a few shoots (Ich liebe dich Paul Stein Liane Haid). Remember that at that time Berlin was the Mecca of European cinema. Count Kolowrat Sacha, a major producer of Austrian cinema (including who discovered Marlene Dietrich, Michael Curtiz and Alexander Korda) and lover of beautiful women also invited him to Vienna to Anny "die pratermizzi -1927" charming Viennese pastry, which has the charm and light operettas of Lehar scenario Walter Reisch who knew then consecration to Hollywood (Ninotchka).
If one refers to the press at the time, Velbloud uchem Jehly (1926) would be the best dumb Anny Ondra, a sophisticated comedy about the story of impossible love in the son of an industrialist
and a beggar. In 1927, Anny Ondra plays for the last time alongside Karel Lamac in the flower of the woods. With his ukulele and his hair like a boy, the bubbly blonde is at the forefront of fashion: you can not be said of his companion, who has much strength: he now took refuge behind the camera. His new creation, Suzy saxophone (1928), is such an international success, it will be a remake speaking 4 years later (Baby). Anny is claimed to England where she signed a contract for 4 movies, including two directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The famous director will know very well use the charm and the presence of the actress who will be the first blonde in the filmography. The thriller Blackmail (1929) is also a huge commercial success that was actually more beneficial to the director as the star. Severely handicapped by his Slavic accent, Anny Ondra is unable to read properly his lines at the sound of the film and will be doubled for that. It also remains an astonishing screen test in which the director proposes to mocking the star devastated to hear his essays in English before him throw some ribaldry! (
to enjoy on youtube).
Back in Germany, the fate of the star will experience when a turning point: she met during a first Max Schmeling, the first European boxer wins world heavy weight June 12, 1930 after defeating Jack Sharkey U.S. . Between the blonde film star and idol of the rings, who shared life the Russian star Olga Tschechowa is the thunderbolt.
Intriguingly, the Czech star will still continue to work diligently working with her ex-partner Karel Lamac with whom she has just founded a new production company in Germany. Why put
end to a winning formula? Adorned by advertising gives it incredible that her romance with Schmeling, Anny is more popular than ever and these films shot in multiple languages speaking in Berlin triumph studios (and even in the silent version for theaters not equipped). Pierre Billon who is responsible for co-produce the French versions. Although this film has aged considerably, Anny at music hall (1930) has two or three hilarious scenes that will be worth the star of flattering comparisons to the Marx Brothers (the famous scene where the star is trying to play a tune on a piano completely dilapidated who dislocated his fingers). The short passage where Anny dancing on giant piano keys inspire more than a Hollywood musical as three young girls in blue) .. What is unique about these comedies is their inventiveness, their lack of pretension: the simplicity of a fledgling musical theater where you could try everything. We laugh just like in a carnival show: Lucille Ball before or Carole Lombard, Anny Ondra proved that it could make you laugh out loud while remaining extremely pretty.
Baby (1932) Suzy charming remake of saxophone, has
many sight gags tested and approved at the silent era. But it is Kiki (1932), which remains for Anny Ondra and his best recollection biggest commercial success. Remake of a film of Mary Pickford (Anny much admired). His dry sense of humor and acrobatics earned him this time to qualify as Buster Keaton in a skirt!
In 1933, Anny Ondra Max Schmeling wife for the delight of his fans. The most famous couple in Germany is a frequent guest at Hitler and Goebbels who come to power and looks
use the sportsman who has managed to beat an American and the pretty blonde in their corporate propaganda. It is even claimed that Hitler was very attracted by the star Czech and Eva Braun was very jealous. But if Max Schmeling
has actually made several dinners at the dictator, he did not share Nazi ideology and to the fury of the Führer and never joined party
Nazi.
Until the late 30's, Anny Ondra will continue her film career in light comedies often staged by his old friend Karel Lamac which sometimes tends to repeat itself. However, the latter idea does not lack for visual gags, evidenced by the famous scene of the daughter's ballet (1937) where the dress Anny is raised by the blast of an air vent ... which will be resumed almost 20 years later by another platinum blond Marilyn Monroe (7 Year Itch). Czech filmmaker, far from being appreciated by Nazis preferred exile in England. Without his mentor's career Anny Ondra will quickly collapse even faster than Max Schmilblick just get beat by a black American at the world championships in 1938. A real slap to the Nazis. Disgraced, Schmeling is sent to the front without any preferential treatment, and was severely wounded in combat. Anny Ondra two films that will not run during the war: In the little man (1941), it is only the claim of Rühmann Heinz, the most beloved comic actor in Germany.
After the war, the famous couple will be blamed for
good relations he had with the Goebbels. However, it was learned many years later that they had hidden among them two Jewish children in 1938 and worked for them to leave Germany unharmed.
As Anny, she will attempt a comeback in 1951 in the beauty leads the way in which she played a former star envied by younger, no doubt the producers relied more on the latter (Sonja Ziemann) to attract the public. Anny spend the rest of his life in the shadow of his beloved boxer. Became head of Coca Cola in northern Germany, he was known for his generosity and philanthropic activities (he helped his former opponent financially Joe Louis fell into poverty). Anny Ondra if we left in 1987, Max Schmeling died in 1997 at 99 years. The couple celebrated
inspired twice telefilms. In one of them embodied Ondra Britt Ekland. If you want to return to authentic tandem, why not get the movie they all turned in 1935: Knock out, available on DVD in Germany.
While many films are obviously dated Miss Ondra and fish by technical blunders, they would still be good to rediscover the talent of this fantastic blond, lovely woman and child in petticoats clown. A documentary shown his best gags would be a fitting tribute to an artist so unjustly forgotten in France.
