The Bat
Die Fledermaus
Synopsis
The delightful Johann Strauss comic opera Die Fledermaus was mercilessly lampooned in this truly bizarre production. For starters, a framing device has been added: After appearing in 300 consecutive appearances of Fledermaus (which translates as The Bat) the lead tenor (Georg Alexander) imagines that he's seeing bats everywhere. Driven a bit over the edge by all this, he falls asleep and has a nightmare about the opera, with a group of non-singers cast in the leading roles. The original libretto about romantic assignations, political imprisonments and mistaken identity is burlesqued to the hilt: at one point, the hero finds out that his prison cell is surrounded by rubber tubes!
Top Cast
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Lída Baarová
Maria Weigel / Rosalinde
Hans Söhnker
Kammersänger Hans Weigel / Eisenstein
Friedl Czepa
Hanni / Adele
Jola Jobst
Berta / Ida
Georg Alexander
Staatsanwalt Wentin / Frank
Robert Dorsay
Chauffeur Franz / Alfred
Hans Moser
Hans Moser
Harald Paulsen
Rechtsanwalt Dr. Rommel / Dr.Falke
Karl Stepanek
Attaché Baranoff / Orlovsky
Hans Stiebner
Kapellmeister
Otto Graf
Rundfunkreporter
Albert Ihle
Präsident
Arthur Kistenmacher
Polizist
Erwin Werner
Bühnenarbeiter
Paul Walter
Theaterintendant
Sergei Woischeff
Lakai bei Orlovsky
Susi Lembach
Festteilnehmerin
Charlotte Krause-Walter
2. Festteilnehmerin
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Paul Verhoeven, Hans H. Zerlett
- Screenplay & Story
- Walter Wassermann, Carl Haffner, Lotte Neumann, Richard Genée
- Original Title
- Die Fledermaus
- Country of Origin
- Germany
- Spoken Languages
- German
- Runtime
- 1h 43m
- Production Studios
- Imagoton, Tobis Filmkunst
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Paul Verhoeven, Hans H. Zerlett
Walter Wassermann, Carl Haffner, Lotte Neumann, Richard Genée
Gerhard Staab
Department Leadership Roster
Paul Verhoeven
Director
Walter Wassermann
Writer
Hans H. Zerlett
Director
Gerhard Staab
Producer
Carl Haffner
Writer
Lotte Neumann
Writer
Richard Genée
Writer
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Bat
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Bat about?
The delightful Johann Strauss comic opera Die Fledermaus was mercilessly lampooned in this truly bizarre production. For starters, a framing device has been added: After appearing in 300 consecutive appearances of Fledermaus (which translates as The Bat) the lead tenor (Georg Alexander) imagines that he's seeing bats everywhere. Driven a bit over the edge by all this, he falls asleep and has a nightmare about the opera, with a group of non-singers cast in the leading roles. The original libretto about romantic assignations, political imprisonments and mistaken identity is burlesqued to the hilt: at one point, the hero finds out that his prison cell is surrounded by rubber tubes!
Who directed The Bat?
The Bat was directed by Paul Verhoeven, Hans H. Zerlett.
Who stars in The Bat?
The principal cast of The Bat includes Lída Baarová, Hans Söhnker, Friedl Czepa, Jola Jobst, Georg Alexander.
When was The Bat released and how long is it?
The Bat was released in 1937 with a total runtime of 1h 43m.