Das Gäßchen zum Paradies (1936)

The dogcatcher Tobias Haslinger lives in poverty in Prague, of all places, in “Alleyway to Paradise.” Because of his job, he is very unpopular with the street boys, who repeatedly try to trick him into rescuing the dogs he has caught. Among the children is little Peter, who, after his parents’ deaths, has been taken in—more or less reluctantly—by his mother’s sister and her husband, Gustav, a traveling performer, along with his beloved fox terrier Bobby. Gustav sees the boy only as a burden who costs money and brings in nothing. After Peter causes an accident, Gustav promptly delivers him to an orphanage. The little boy is heartbroken because he has to leave Bobby behind. During an outing with the other children, Peter slips away and sees Haslinger catch his dog. He follows the older man’s cart to his staff apartment and manages to spend the night there with Bobby. Haslinger takes Peter back to the orphanage, but then changes his mind and takes the child into his care. The little fellow openly shows his affection for Haslinger, and soon becomes as dear to him as Bobby. As a result, Haslinger feels unable to continue in his job and resigns. He loses not only his regular income but also, after a short grace period, has to vacate his staff apartment. While working as a dogcatcher, Haslinger had also caught the publishing director Körner’s Great Dane. During Haslinger’s absence, Luise Körner arrives with her chauffeur to redeem the dog. Only Peter is there, and an immediate emotional bond forms between Luise Körner and the little boy. Some time later, the wealthy Körners propose that Haslinger let them take Peter in, making clear what opportunities this would open up for the child. Haslinger knows it is the right thing to do, but is frightened by the thought of losing Peter. Desperate, he tries to find a new job, but receives only rejections, while the day he must vacate his apartment draws ever closer. Little Peter tries to earn some money by having his dog Bobby perform tricks. They do so well that people donate generously. Meanwhile, Gustav has returned with his wife Sonja and realizes that he can make money from Peter and Bobby. So he tricks the boy, locks him up, and takes the little bucket of money Bobby has collected. But he has reckoned without the street boys, who alert Haslinger and take matters into their own hands by pelting Gustav with mud balls. When the police arrive, Gustav lies to them, claiming that Haslinger is the boys’ ringleader and responsible for his injuries. Haslinger is consequently taken into police custody. Peter, now free again, sees only one way out of his desperate situation: he runs to the Körners and asks for their help. And, of course, Director Körner makes sure that Haslinger is released—and not only that: Peter gets a new home, and Haslinger too is taken in at the Körners’ large house. The Körners also make it possible for Anni, the shooting-gallery girl who had treated Peter with great understanding during his time at the fairground, and Hans, the quick-sketch artist, to look forward to a future together, as Director Körner gives Hans a career opportunity at his publishing house.