"Viktor und Viktoria" or "Viktor and Viktoria" is a German black-and-white sound movie from 1933, so this one will soon have its 85th anniversary. The writer and director is Reinhold Schünzel, a really successful and prolific actor as well, and it is probably his most known work behind the camera. Same can probably be said for lead actress Renate Müller and this may also have to do with her very early death. Hermann Thimig, who plays the male title character, appeared in a couple other pretty well-known films and lived until into his 90s. The rest of the cast I cannot say I am familiar with. Nonetheless, this film (or this story) was successful enough for this film to be remade on many occasions in all kinds of countries, including a Hollywood movie that was even a big player at the Academy Awards many decades later.

But lets take a look at this one here. I cannot say I am too impressed unfortunately. I found it a very mediocre movie overall, in terms of music, acting and, most of all, the plot. The story was maybe good enough for 40 minutes, but not for almost 1 hour and 40 minutes. Apart from that, the cross-dressing humor becomes repetitive at some point I have to say because there is nothing else to it, they just rely on the costumes and make-up to be enough and it is not, especially not in the days when we can't see color, which is of course a factual description and you cannot blame anybody for it. I can see however how the Nazis probably have not liked this film a lot as they certainly did not see any fun or comedy in the issue of men dressing as women or the other way around. In my opinion, it is simply not enough for me to like a film just because the Nazis hated it and I believe that's the approach many people are giving it. I am also looking for interesting character development and real depth when it comes to the story and character backgrounds. So yeah, all in all, this film is not a failure, but it is also quite a bit away in terms of quality from a level where I would recommend the watch. I give it a thumbs-down and suggest you watch something else instead, maybe unless you really love another version of it and are curious about this 1930s approach to the subject.

Many know Blake Edwards's 1982 film and the 1995 Broadway production, but few have seen the original 1933 film until now, thanks to this new release by Kino Lorber.

A young woman (Renate Müller) can't find work as a singer, so she works with a down on his luck actor to revise her act and become a man on stage. Now, Victoria has become Victor, but her life has become even more complicated.

Director Reinhold Schünzel also shot a French-language version of the film as George and Georgette starring Meg Lemonnier and a French cast. Victor Saville directed an English version, First a Girl, in 1935 and there was a West German remake by Karl Anton in 1957. Before the aforementioned Edwards film, there was also the Argentina remake My Girlfriend, the Transvestite.

"Viktor und Viktoria" was directed by Reinhold Schünzel and came out at an unusual time period in Germany. Had it come out just a few years later, the Nazi government surely would have labeled it as degenerate and censored it. After all, the plot has a lot of elements of tranvestism and possible homosexuality--subjects the new Reich would never allow in theaters. But, in 1933, the Nazis just came to power and were slowly consolidating their power and were not yet a dictatorship-- so such a movie was released to theaters and was a success. In fact, the director ALSO filmed a French language version--with the same sets but with different leading actors. In fact, the film worked so well that the Brit made their own version, "First a Girl", just two years later--and of the three, I definitely prefer the British remake. And, speaking of remakes, Hollywood remade this decades later as "Victor/Victoria".

"Vikor und Viktoria" is a musical--but not in the way the British film was made. Instead of having a lot of kitschy musical numbers (which I loved) like the British film, much of the song consisted of sung dialog. It worked okay--but the lyrics lacked the humor of the British ones. Additionally, the gay aspects of the film were REALLY de-emphasized (perhaps to kiss up to the new Nazi regime)--making Viktor, somehow, more 'butch'.

The film begins with Susanne trying unsuccessfully to get a job as a singer. Though she has a lovely job, it doesn't seem to mater. And, after she and Viktor both lose jobs the same day, they meet up and become friends. Unfortunately, soon Viktor loses his voice--and this is a serious problem since he had another interview. So he has an idea-- Susanne should try out in his place. What's the role? He's trying out as a man who dresses and pretends to be a woman---only Susanne now has to pretend to be a man pretending to be a woman! It's all confusing...and rather cute. But, the characters and plot, to me, were missing something. It wasn't only the music, but the British version was just more likable and sweet. This one, in contrast, looked a bit flat. Still, it IS worth seeing--clever and unique for its time.