Oh Rosalinda! (1955)

Set in 1955 Vienna when it is still under Allied occupation: U.S., Russia, Great Britain, France. When an Austrian black marketeer (Anton Walbrook), who glides gracefully among the most elite and politically powerful echelons in Vienna, is the victim of a practical joke by a French officer (Michael Redgrave), he carefully plots his revenge! Based on the operetta DIE FLEDERMAUS by Johann Strauss and written and directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger (THE RED SHOES). Powell and Pressburger have updated Strauss' operetta which allows them to satirize the political situation in Europe as well as eliminate some of the cobwebs that 19th century operettas often bring with them. Photographed by Christopher Challis (TWO FOR THE ROAD) in CinemaScope, Powell makes excellent use of the CinemaScope frame, filling it with activity in every corner with the production design and costumes taking advantage of the vibrant Technicolor (Redgrave's purple pajamas just pop off the screen). Operetta is an acquired taste and even if it's not your bag, you would be hard pressed to resist this film's farcical charms. The cast is superb right down the line and it's a delight to see Redgrave singing (yes it's his own voice) and dancing with aplomb. With Ludmilla Tcherina, Mel Ferrer, Anthony Quayle (who does his own singing), Dennis Price, Anneliese Rothenberger (who does her own singing) and Jill Ireland.