Suspend disbelief, or don't. For me, "Frau im Mond" is the most unbelievably lovely movie. I don't want to repeat what others have written, but there's so much more one could say... so here's some notes of mine. Best read them after seeing this film.
It really feels this was silent movie's last stand. White-on-black inter-titles were just so out in 1929, they are often avoided (read their lips :), animated (the count-down), once bombed up, or drawn right into the shots (GOLD!...) as earlier seen in Dr. Mabuse, part 2.
The supporting hero role of smart Gustav (14 years old - but able to launch the spaceship after some theoretical training, and avid reader of SciFi pulp) surprised me, but charmingly. In Spione, he only had a short part, but here, his was expanded considerably. Maybe marketing considerations - to attract young spectators? The movie wasn't so successful in its days in Germany, as talkies were already spreading.
The professor gets to live his lifetime dream to step on the moon (complete with atmosphere testing by lighting three matches) and strike gold - and disappears soon after. I liked him best in the first act, so hungry and so much enjoying the food (and even sparing some for the mouse).
"The person currently called Turner" struck me with his Hitler hairdo, matched in-flight with an army jacket, and in general his uncivil behavior (though he gave the best live mask-change I've ever seen). I wonder about his motivation though - why would he sabotage the starship? He couldn't fly it back alone I suppose, and he was representing the interests of the "brains and checkbooks" trust, no? Hans Windegger (Friede's fiancé) was tolerable while on earth, but away from it he appeared as rather one-dimensional space-sick weakling. I might have wished some more positive impressions of him after take-off.
Friede (which is a German first name, but also means "peace") was the opposite, always nice and charming. Two times I felt reminded of the role of modern air hostess: when she takes orders for brandy, and instructs the professor to keep the window-shade shut. But did also good as feminist, camerawoman, and nurse - and ultimate heroine.
"Captain" Wolf Helius (Willy Fritsch, who is mostly known for smiling sonny-boy roles) had to carry the lost-love sorrow 160 minutes out of 163, but did it heroically, mastering all challenges posed to him, and refraining from wooing Friede though he'd love it so much...
After very detailed beginnings, the end is somehow open. Will the spaceship make it back to earth? What will happen to Friede and Wolf? Yet, it's a terrific "happy end", even on repeated viewing.
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