Alarm in the Circus
- Hans Winter: Klaus
- Ernst -Georg Schwill: Max
- Gertrud Keller: Helli
- Helo crediting Wager: Karli
- Erwin Geschonneck: Klott
- Uwe -Jens Pape: Jimmy
- Karl Kendzia: Batta
- Ulrich Thein: Herbert
- Siegfried Weiß: Hepfield
- Joseph Peter Dornseif: VP- Chief Commissioner
- Annelise Matschulat: Mrs. Weigel
- Marga Legal: Mother of Catchers
- Erich Giesa: Bobby Inspector
- Erich Franz: Helli father
- Günther Haack: Catcher
- John Rhine: Boogie
- Hans Flössel: Vet
- Paul Pentecost: VP- Funker
- Arthur Reppert: night-watchman
- Walter Brandt: inspector
Alarm at the Circus is a German crime film DEFA by Gerhard Klein from 1954.
Action
Living in West Berlin friends Max and Klaus have a secret dream to make as a boxer career. They practice at the sandbag on the carpet rod knock in the backyard of the restaurant " Small Ballhaus Klott " and save every penny for boxing gloves. Her second passion is Circus: Both they often stay on the East Berlin Circus Barlay where they make acquaintance with Helli, the later study and wants to make their money as a vet.
The dream of boxing career bursts for both boys soon: the families are poor and as Klaus ' mother comes with the rental payment is in arrears, give both boys money you Saved for boxing gloves to settle the debt back. The chances of entering the labor force are low, both boys do not even have views of an apprenticeship. You are looking for new revenue sources and move off to the seedy bar owner Klott who promises them for a simple job lot of money. Klaus accidentally discovers what it is in the order: He should smuggle with Max the horse of the Circus Barlay from East Berlin to the West. However, before he can sound the alarm, it will be of Klott whose conversation he had overheard, discovered and imprisoned.
The Taking of horses is now with Max's start aid, but quickly recognizes the injustice indeed. Klaus succeeds, meanwhile, escaped from his prison. He notified the employee of the Circus Barlay and the people's police, the ' help thwart the kidnapping with Max. The criminals are arrested and Max and Klaus obtained as a reward from circus given the long desired boxing gloves.
Production
Alarm at the Circus is based on a true story, so in 1953 a raid was foiled at the circus. Wolfgang Kohlhaase and Hans Cubic wrote the screenplay inspired by the press reports on the case in less than a half year low. The film was shot on location. Alarm at the Circus experienced on August 27, 1954 at the Berlin Babylon its premiere.
With 3.6 million moviegoers was alarm in the circus "of the blockbuster of the year 1954" in the GDR.
Criticism
Contemporary critics praised the film for "those gutdosierte mixture of feeling joy and serious background that needs a real movie success. He is by no means in all respects unassailable - but he is in all respects so that it pleases the audience "As a thriller alarm offers in the circus " all that [ ... ] what a complete thriller needs. . It crash even - who would have thought of the serious DEFA? - Hearty uppercut, and the large-scale operation in the police culminating in a breathtaking chase in a radio car by night - wet city streets and ruins. "
Frank Burkhard Habel wrote in 2000 that "the adventurous youth crime [ ... ] clearly located at the front of the Cold War [ is ] without operating superficial propaganda, and [ he ] lives greatly from its social focus. "
The filmdienst was: " Exciting, well-staged crime entertainment that brings the authentic background of the split Berlin atmospheric exactly. "
Award
For Alarm at the Circus Gerhard Klein and Wolfgang Kohlhaase 1954, the National Prize III. Class excellent.