Fast-paced, enjoyable romp mixing high drama and exciting stunt work, plus a generous pinch of humour. 
 
Former circus-performer Luciano Albertini shines as a debonair stowaway who teams up with droll side-kick Carlos (Ernst Verebes) to track down a band of duplicitous villains.  The duo’s mysterious mission takes them from cruise-liner, to steam train, high-rise buildings and speeding car, along the gorgeous backdrop of the Dalmatian coast. Our hero: Italian-born actor, producer, director and ex-strongman Albertini, is given ample opportunity to show off his muscular agility and winning star persona. Little-known today, Albertini was considered a cast-iron box-office draw in the ‘twenties, whose athletic prowess and Latin looks reputedly induced fervent admiration amongst his international fanbase.

Dir. Max Obal | Germany | 1930 | N/C PG | b&w | German intertitles with English surtitles | 1h 28m

With: Luciano Albertini, Ernst Verebes, Gretel Berndt, Elza Temary

Original title: Die Jagd nach der Million

Performing live: Günter Buchwald (piano, violin), Frank Bockius (percussion)

Screening material courtesy of Deutsches Filminstitut & Filmmuseum.  
English surtitles translation by Jutta Brendemühl (Goethe-Institut Toronto)
Online programme notes by Oliver Hanley