Czechoslovakian opera star Jarmila Novotná plays the title role in the Austrian tunefest "Frasquita". Based on a Franz Lehár operetta, the story is the usual frothy nonsense. Dolly (Charlott Daudert) is engaged to marry Harald (Hans Heinz-Bollmann), but she's really in love with Hippolit (Heinz Rühmann). Harald is likewise enamored of another, namely Frasquita (Jarmila Novotná).
Acting
Novotná's luminous screen presence anchors the romantic chaos.
Score
Lehár's effervescent waltzes that practically dance off screen.
Costume
Glamorous 1930s gowns worth the ticket alone.
Director
Karel Lamač
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Frasquita arrived as operetta films dominated European cinema, offering escapist glamour between World Wars.
Novotná was a Met Opera star who made only a handful of films — this rare screen appearance captures her at peak vocal and visual power.
AT
