by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Before he became the principal cinematic spokesperson for the Nazi Party, director Veit Harlan was capable of turning out such frothy comedies as Der Muede Theodor (Weary Theodor). The title character, played by Weiss Ferdl, is a retired hotel proprietor who meager savings are commandeered by his henpecking wife. Befriending actress Gretl Theimer, our hero takes a secret night job as a hotel waiter to finance Theimer's upcoming musical show. Inevitably, Theodor's wife shows up at the hotel where her husband is moonlighting, whereupon sturm und drang reigns supreme. The biggest laughs are reserved for the end, when Theodor must double as both guest and waiter at a fancy dinner party.
