Greetings gentle readers and welcome to another installment of the Sunday Morning Movie. Today it’s the tale of a sweet-hearted scoundrel who always lands on his feet: The Confessions of Felix Krull. Today’s bonus is a Billy Strayhorn album called “7”. Billy was a giant of jazz and worked along side Duke Ellington himself.
Bekenntnisse des Hochstaplers Felix Krull (1957)
And a special shout out to Jeff W for his idea of linking next weeks movie in order to give the readers time to watch it in advance!
Here is next week’s offering:
Whisky (2004)
Reviews of The Confessions of Felix Krull:
Letterboxd says:
If Die Halbstarken, made one year before, put Buchholz on the map, Felix Krull solidified him as one of the most notable German actors of his generation. The film is based on one of Thomas Mann’s lighter novels, and Buchholz is effortlessly charming as a young imposter who is wiggling himself out of being drafted for military service and then starts a career as a con man in Paris, working himself up the ladder, and breaking the hearts of women (as well as the occasional gay-coded older gentleman) along the way.
and
What a charming little scoundrel Felix is. This is my first Horst Buchholz starring movie (very interested in seeing this bisexual king’s career) and oof he has such great screen presence, and this film is a great showcase of range. Lots of fun, lots of twists, highly recommend. Gives me Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder vibes.
imdb says:
This film was my introduction to Horst Buchholz. Albsolutely delightful! I have been chasing a copy of it for years, and finally located a VHS of it — it has recently been released on DVD in Germany. If you can get your hands on it, do so. The young Buchholz is an enchanting rogue in this saga of the rise of a charming confidence man, swindling and cheating his way to the top. He sent on to star in films in the US and in Europe, but was seldom as delightful as here, in this early work. His innate good looks and personality are given free reign. One of the most delightful scenes in the epileptic fit he throws for the draft board to avoid military service. Inspired!
and
A really entertaining comedy! I don’t know the original novel by Thomas Mann but the film doubtless did justice to Mann’s language. It’s a pleasure to hear Horst Buchholz in the role of Felix Krull leading everybody up the garden path with hilarious wordiness! I enjoyed every minute of this movie. It’s true that it’s old-fashioned but that’s what makes up its attraction.
My take:An entertaining and amusing film, the comedy is sweetly innocent even for the 1950s. Horst Buchholz is perfect for the role with his angelic good looks and disarming charm. It’s not great cinema and some reviewers were harshly critical but it’s a great way to spend and hour and forty five minutes in my opinion.
Director: Kurt Hoffman
Writer: Thomas Mann (novel), Erika Mann, Robert Thoeren
Notable Actors: Horst Buchholz, Liselotte Pulver, Ingrid Andree
Plot (Spoilers!):
Felix Krull is a smooth operator. He comes from a family of champagne producers who have fallen on hard times and the experience has shaped him profoundly. Beautiful, charming, and crafty, he manages to finagle his way out of military service in the German Imperial army.
Next he is off to Paris. He engages in a bit of petty theft that turns out to not be so petty. He lands a gig as a hotel worker for a ritzy hotel that caters to aristocrats and the well-heeled. He rapidly climbs up the chain of command and seduces a beautiful woman or two along the way.
Naturally, this produces some jealous husbands and boyfriends. One threatens to shoot him but they work out a deal. Felix will take his place on a trip around the world, allowing the man more time with his lady. Felix, facing a gun, accepts.
While in Portugal he meets the family of a professor he encountered on his train ride from France. He sleeps with the professors wife, seduces his daughter, and is eventually sent to jail for his hi-jinks back in Paris. With the help of the professor, who forgives his indiscretions, he escapes and rejoins his Parisian lady. Together they embark on a new adventure far from jealous boyfriends and the law.
***Jazz Bonus: This is one of my favorite jazz albums. Strayhorn had a beautiful gift, his jazz is sensual and hypnotic. Enjoy, jazz heads of NC!
Last minute jazz bonus: Miles Davis on Bill Evans
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