The Merry Wives of Windsor (1952)

Genres - Music, Comedy  |   Sub-Genres - Film-Opera  |   Run Time - 92 min.  |   Countries - Germany  |   MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Craig Butler

The Merry Wives of Windsor contains one of those complicated, tangled love plots that are typical of Shakespeare's comedies. In this one, lovely Anne Page is the object of affection of three suitors -- Caius, whom her mother favors; Slender, whom her father favors; and Fenton, whom Anne favors. Mr. Page and Mrs. Page plot to have their favored suitor win their daughter's hand, but in the midst of all this comes merry Falstaff. Needing money (as usual), Falstaff hits upon the idea of writing love letters to Mrs. Page and Mrs. Ford, thinking that they are both in love with him and will be willing to give him some financial support. The ladies decide to teach the rogue a lesson and arrange a meeting with him. Their husband surreptitiously learn of Falstaff's letters; Mr. Page trusts his wife, but Mr. Ford is suspicious. A series of complications ensue during which Mr. Ford disguises himself to spy upon Falstaff and his wife, and during which the wives put Falstaff in a number of embarrassing situations. At the end, the wives "agree" to meet Falstaff underneath an oak tree one night, and arrange for some fairies to be there to scare him. One of these fairies is to be Anne. Mr. and Mrs. Page plot with Slender and Caius for each to elope with Anne, but they are tricked when she ends up with Fenton.

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prank, Germany