About

Vienna, 1955 – a complex mess of politics and ambition. Embarrassed by a practical joke at the hands of French Colonel Eisenstein (Michael Redgrave) and his wife, Rosalinda (Ludmilla Tchérina), preeminent raconteur and social climber, Dr Falke (Anton Walbrook) – aka “The Bat” – seeks revenge by maneuvering them to flirt with each other at his masquerade party. The plot thickens with the arrival of Rosalinda’s ex-lover, American officer Westerman (Mel Ferrer). By no coincidence, the film calls to mind the risqué romantic comedies of Ernst Lubitsch (who indeed adapted the same operetta, 'Die Fledermaus' by Johann Strauss with The Merry Jail 1917). The unique approach of Powell and Pressburger’s first CinemaScope adventure, however, is to place their actors in a pastel-shaded painted set, where artifice and playfulness stylishly complement make-believe. The Bat’s recipe to “throw a good party” is ultimately a commentary on the wonder of narrative construction (and the fun of it all!) A delightful comedy at once classical and avant-garde.

Oh... Rosalinda!! will screen from an imported 35mm print.

Ages 15+