Die Fledermaus (1946)

After a costume ball, Director Falke, head of Baden’s city theater, who is dressed as a bat and already somewhat the worse for wear, asks his friend Eisenstein to take him home. Instead of doing him the favor, Eisenstein leaves Falke to his fate on a park bench, where he soon falls asleep. The next morning, Falke is arrested and locked up. Although he is on friendly terms with Falke, prison director Frank makes him remain in his cell for several hours. Falke decides to get even with Eisenstein and Frank. After taking charge of the artistic program for a lavish party hosted by his friend Prince Orlofsky, Falke gets his chance for revenge when Eisenstein and Frank both want to attend the party for different reasons and ask Falke for the necessary tickets. Eisenstein is eager to meet a Hungarian artist expected at the party who is said to resemble his wife, except for her hair color. Frank wants Falke to set him up with a young blonde actress. Falke has tickets for both of them. Since Eisenstein is supposed to be serving a sentence when the party takes place, Falke claims that he has secured a postponement of the sentence from Frank. Falke also arranges for his tenor, Melzer, to court Eisenstein’s wife, Rosalinde. Eisenstein deceives his wife and goes to the party instead of reporting for his arrest. Frank, who intends to arrest Eisenstein, finds tenor Melzer at Rosalinde’s home, mistakes him for Eisenstein, and arrests him. Rosalinde has meanwhile discovered her husband’s deception. Since the Hungarian artist has already canceled her appearance at the party, Rosalinde has her hair dyed, attends the party, and passes herself off as the Hungarian woman. At Falke’s instigation, Johann Strauss performs excerpts from his latest operetta, Die Fledermaus, at the party. For the duration of the performance, Falke manages to free his imprisoned tenor, Melzer. Rosalinde’s maid, Adele, also takes part in the performance, and afterward Falke introduces her to Frank. Meanwhile, still in disguise, Rosalinde first allows her husband to woo her, then gives the impression that she is letting Orlofsky seduce her. In fact, she ensures that Orlofsky spends the night with Adele. The next day, still in disguise, she reveals herself to her husband, who then wants to duel with Orlofsky. Falke appears and clears up the situation.