The Virtuous Sinner

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The Virtuous Sinner (Der brave Sünder) is a 1931 German comedy film directed by Fritz Kortner. It stars Max Pallenberg, Heinz Rühmann and Dolly Haas. The movie was made at the Babelsberg Studio in Berlin, though its setting and many participants were Austrian. It is based on the play The Embezzlers, which was adapted from a novel by Valentin Kataev. Pallenberg, a famous stage comedian, was persuaded to try a film, giving Kortner his chance to direct.

Plot:
Two junior bank clerks from a small Austrian town, Pichler and Wittek, go to Vienna and get involved in their director’s plan to embezzle bank funds and flee with his mistress. They fear disgrace, but the situation resolves: the dishonest director is arrested, Pichler takes his place, and Wittek marries Pichler’s daughter Hedwig.

Production notes:
The film’s art direction was by Julius von Borsody. It was produced by Cine-Allianz Tonfilm and distributed by Bavaria Film. Running time: 109 minutes. Language: German. Release date: 22 October 1931.