Die - oder keine (1932)

Eva drives her convertible through Berlin. Her little dog jumps out of the car, and Prince Michael brings it back to her. Since the old Prince of Marana wants to settle the succession, Michael plans to return home. But then he sees in the newspaper that the lady with the little dog was the famous singer Eva. So he decides not to leave until he has heard Eva sing. During a performance of the opera La Traviata, in which Eva sings a few arias, Michael spots his cousin, Prince Wenzel, among the audience as well. They meet afterward at Eva’s villa to celebrate her farewell. The banker Ravel wants to get his hands on the principality’s oil wells and promises Eva that, in return, he will make her Wenzel the old prince’s successor. Wenzel, who is going by the name “Maier,” shows up. Michael also arrives and likewise introduces himself as “Maier.” Montalon receives a telegram announcing that the prince has died. Ravel arranges a flight, and Wenzel quickly flies back to the principality with the prince, who immediately takes over the government and orders the border closed. Eva’s troupe cannot leave without her. Eva and Michael, however, drive around in their sports car, singing, “We are young, and life belongs to us …” Montalon searches for Michael and finds him with Eva; she learns that this “Maier” is Prince Michael. The performance in Vienna is canceled, and the acting troupe travels straight to Marana’s capital, represented in the film by Dubrovnik, taking Michael along. Upon arriving in Marana, the troupe’s singers get the chance to present themselves as singers while going ashore. Michael has to go into hiding for the time being. After Eva lets Wenzel escort her to the palace, the celebrations for Wenzel’s enthronement begin. A series of complications then leads to Eva and Michael being detained. But when Ravel is about to address the people on Wenzel’s behalf, Eva throws open the window, begins to sing, and wins everyone over to Michael’s side, and he is finally set free. Amid the people’s cheers, Eva flies into his arms.