De vier mullers (1935)

The film is about grandfather Philip, father Max, and son Otto Müller. Max is the director of the textile company Müller & Son. This is much to the displeasure of Philip, an old but lively man who thinks his son is doing a poor job. He believes this is due to Max’s conservative ideas. As a result, Max often clashes with his son Otto, a modern young man who will one day take over the family business from his father. The rivalry among the three is intensified by errand boy Jacob Schat, who constantly brings the men the latest gossip. After a while, Otto grows tired of working with his father and breaks away from the business. When Otto and Philip decide to start their own company in Otto’s name, they declare war on Max. This is much to the displeasure of Ella, Max’s wife and Otto’s mother, who takes her husband’s side even though their marriage is not very stable. Mina, too, the family’s loyal housekeeper of 24 years, struggles with the division. Meanwhile, Otto has a number of romantic pursuits. He shows interest in Henriette Bekker, a medical doctor and the daughter of a deceased friend of Philip’s. Ella, by contrast, would rather see her son with Daisy Rix, the daughter of a powerful American factory director. Although Otto has fallen head over heels for Henriette, he cannot suppress his feelings for Daisy. Henriette notices, and leaves angrily. Meanwhile, Max tells Jacob that unless he can persuade Otto to marry Daisy so that the Müllers can form a partnership with Rix’s company, he plans to set fire to Philip and Otto’s business. Eventually, grandfather Philip can no longer keep up the competition with Max and puts an end to the struggle. In the end, all the Müllers decide to join together in a single company: Müller & Sons.