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Best known for her comedy roles, Henny Porten went dramatic big-time in her 1928 vehicle Zufflucht (Refuge). Since Porten also produced the film, she bore the brunt of the criticism, which was far from kind. Many felt that the actress would have been better off sticking to comedy, while others were of the opinion that she was too old for her role (she was all of 40 at the time). The most positive comments were reserved for Porten's incredibly good-looking leading man, Francis Lederer. In fact, Zufflucht represented Lederer's screen debut, a full year before his "official" cinematic bow in Pabst's Pandora's Box.