Er oder ich (1930)

Egon, Prince of Valona, is traveling to his residence when he meets the charming and attractive Yvette Baradow aboard a passenger steamer. His advances, however, meet with little enthusiasm, and he gets nowhere with the young lady. Shortly after arriving in Genoa, the Italian police arrest the aristocrat because he bears a striking resemblance to Carlo Moreno, an internationally wanted con man. The prince quickly clears up the case of mistaken identity and is released. To continue his journey, he heads to the city’s main railway station, where he runs into Yvette again. She has suddenly changed her tune and flirts with Prince Egon, as a romantic whim has led her to believe she is flirting with a genuine crook. Egon, now thinking he can win her over by playing that part, lets her believe it. Aboard the train, Prince Egon comes face to face with his very own doppelgänger, who is wanted by the police. Moreno takes his ticket and forces the prince to leave the train. Assuming his identity, “Prince” Moreno makes his way to the real nobleman’s elegant residence, hoping to get his hands on some money quickly. But, to his dismay, he discovers that there is nothing to be gained from the Prince of Valona. In a photograph, however, he spots Eveline Wilken, the daughter of a wealthy shipowner, wearing a valuable pearl necklace. Moreno now believes there is much more to be gained from her. Because of a long-standing misunderstanding, the prince and young Eveline are at odds. But since Mr. Wilken and his daughter are only too willing to make peace with the real prince, they gladly accept the offer from Moreno, who is still posing as the prince, to take a trip together on the shipowner’s yacht. Moreno, however, realizes that the real prince has picked up his trail and is hot on his heels. Before he can make his escape, he drugs Eveline and steals her pearl necklace. Then he goes ashore and flees. The real Prince Egon pursues him in an airplane. A hair-raising chase ensues, involving a motorcycle and a car on the winding road along the picturesque coast. Moreno’s motorcycle breaks down, causing the crook to crash and plunge into the sea. He manages to save himself from the waves, however. Finally, in a remote hut, the two men, who look exactly alike, engage in a decisive showdown, which the prince wins. Moreno is handed over to justice, and Prince Egon and Eveline finally become a couple.