The dreamy “Regentropfen (die an dein Fenster klopfen)“ (Raindrops, knocking on your window)is one of my favourite tangos... This is an early recording by Rudi Schuricke, who is billed on the record as Rudolf Schuricke...
Not really knowing what video to make, I decided to dedicate it to movie star Renate Müller (1906-37), once one of the most popular actresses in Europe... Starting out her movie career in the late 1920’s, she became a star with the introduction of sound... She starred opposite some of the most popular actors such as Luis Trenker, Emil Jannings, Willy Fritsch and especially Adolf Wohlbrück/Anton Walbrook. In 1931 her star status was confirmed when she played “Die Privatsekretärin“ (Private secretary/ Enl version : Sunshine Susie - 1933) and sang “Ich bin ja heut so glücklich/Today I feel so happy“, which was on everybody’s lips during the dark days of the economic depression. In 1933 she starred in “Viktor und Viktoria“, her most famous movie, remade as “Victor/Victoria“ starring Julie Andrews in 1981. Her charm, talent and melodic voice made her a gifted and irresistible of her last triumphs was in Willy Forst’s “Allotria“ (1936) as Viola (with her own theme music throughout the movie) opposite Jenny Jugo, Heinz Rühmann and Adolf Wohlbrück, her frequent co-star. Finding life increasingly difficult and feeling pressured by the new political establishment (she was in love with a jewish man) she began to drink, used drugs and suffered epileptic attacks. After a fall from the first floor of her home (most probably accidental), she died in hospital from complications after surgery on . She was 31.
Soon after her early death, rumours and fabricated stories started circulating... They ranged from her being Hitler’s mistress to her being murdered by the Gestapo... The truth is rather simple : her death was just as accidental as it was tragic...
This video shows pictures of Renate Müller from my personal collection as well as clips from “Viktor und Viktoria“ (1933), “Die englische Heirat“ (1934) and “Allotria“ (1936). Her partner in all these clips is Adolf Wohlbrück/Anton Walbrook (1900-67), her frequent (and best) partner.
About the record :
Cristal : 3568/C8880
This is a Cristal release (French version of the Kristall label) probably pressed for the Belgian market. While I am generally rather unimpressed by the technical quality of the Kristall/Cristal production, this record is in mint condition and produces a beautiful sound.
Please select “Watch in high Quality“ for the best Video/Audio quality as this is an MPEG-file.
Enjoy!