Otakar Vávra continued his successful directing career even during the era of the Protectorate. The 1939 romantic comedy Dívka v modrém (Girl In Blue) is one of his popular and highly acclaimed features. The protagonist of the film, lawyer Jan Karas, takes an old, “cursed” painting into his custody. The lonely man easily succumbs to the portrait of a beautiful girl. And one day, to his astonishment, the noblewoman steps from the picture frame. She refuses to accept the idea of returning to the painting and eagerly begins complicating her admirer’s life... Vávra’s film is a stylish, popular comedy in the French spirit. Two acting stars put in marvellous performances in the leading roles. The part of Countess Blanka von Blankberg (or student Vlasta who passes as the countess due to the incitement of the protagonist’s larksome friends) is played by Lída Baarová. Karas is portrayed by Oldřich Nový, who also recorded the title song.
Many local dignitaries are gathered at an auction organised by the notary Dr Jan Karas at Lučín castle to sell off the belongings of the late count. Most interest is aroused by a portrait of a beautiful noble girl, but no-one buys it because it is said to be cursed. Until the young count arrives to decide what to do with the portrait, Karas keeps it at home. Fascinated by the beauty of the girl, Karas spends hours in front of the portrait. Then one day he kisses it and the girl comes to life and steps out of the picture. Karas is the more amazed by her accurate use of Old Czech and by her great knowledge of historical circumstances that existed about three centuries earlier. The girl introduces herself as countess Blanka of Blankenberg, and has no intention of getting back into the canvas. Karas, envious of the increasing number of admirers she is attracting, decides to pass her for his niece. But Blanka turns out to be the niece of a friend of his who wanted to play a trick on him. Blanka, whose real name is Vlasta, explains everything to him and does not hide her affection for him. The happy man does not miss his chance but heads straight to the wedding ceremony hall with her.
The performance of the film was held on the 4th of July 1940 on the festival Filmové žně in Zlín.
studentka Vlasta/komtesa Blanka z Blankenbergu
notář JUDr. Jan Karas
kancelista Houžvička
hospodyně Otylie
MUDr. Pacovský, strýc Vlasty
lesní inženýr Pavel Čádek
vdova Růžena Smutná
Smrčínská
Slávinka, dcera Smrčínské
hrabě Karel Landa
zámecký kastelán Kylián
syn lékárníka, ctitel Blanky
básník alias rytíř Argnan, ctitel Blanky
velkostatkář Kubelka, ctitel Blanky
profesor zeměpisu Třasořítka
drožkář
farář
komorník na zámku
Eliška, majitelka módního salonu
dražitel
zapisovatel na dražbě
stěhovák
stěhovák
kuchař na zámku
asistentka v módním salonu
vdova Rosůlková, host u hraběte
kouřící host u hraběte
starosta, host u hraběte
host u hraběte
host u hraběte
host u hraběte
host u hraběte
host u hraběte
host u hraběte
host u hraběte
host u hraběte
host u hraběte
host u hraběte
host u hraběte
účastník dražby
účastník dražby
účastník dražby
účastník dražby
účastník dražby
Taťana Kubátová (staročeské dialogy)
Willy Ströminger (fotograf)
Orchestr F.O.K. (Music Conducted by Sláva Eman Nováček)
Song Composer Sláva Eman Nováček
Writer of Lyrics K. M. Walló
Singer Oldřich Nový
Song Composer Sláva Eman Nováček
Writer of Lyrics K. M. Walló
Singer Lída Baarová
Dívka v modrém
Dívka v modrém
Girl In Blue
Das Mädchen in Blau
film
featuretheatrical distribution
comedy
Czechoslovakia
1939
1939
start of filming 30 November 1939
end of filming 23 December 1939
date of censorship 23 January 1940 (kulturně-výchovný)
date of censorship 1943 (predikáty „lidově hodnotný film“ a „uznáníhodný film“)
withdrawal from distribution 18 May 1945
projection approval 1968
withdrawal from distribution 15 December 1988
premiere 26 January 1940 /suitable for youths/ (kino Lucerna /6 týdnů/, Praha)
festival premiere 4 July 1940 (1. Filmové žně 1940 Zlín)
renewed premiere 3 January 1969 /suitable for youths/
Lucernafilm (původní 1940), Ústřední půjčovna filmů (öbnovená 1969)
feature film
83 min
2 530 meters
35mm
1:1,37
black & white
sound
Tobis – Klang
Czech
Czech
without subtitles
Czech
Exhibition: 1. Filmové žně 1940 Zlín
1940
Zlín / Czechoslovakia
Lucernafilm s.r.o.
Event: Národní ceny za umění filmové
1940
Praha / Czechoslovakia
Lída Baarová