Der Zarewitch (1929, 1933, 1954, 1973, Germany)

These are film versions of Léhar's operetta, originally written for the greatest tenor of all time, Richard Tauber. Like much operetta, improbable disguises seem easily to fool everyone.

In this case, the plot is that the Tsarevich (the Tsar's son) is moody and apparently disinclined to marry. It is arranged that a dancer called Sonja shall be disguised as a boy and join him in his exercises. They fall in love, and the Grand Duke, who has arranged these matters, urges Sonja to break off the affair. However, the couple elope to Naples, but the death of the Tsar recalls the prince to his duty.

The picture is Teresa Stratas as Sonja from the 1973 version of the story.

HF September 2003

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