Ferien vom Ich (1952)

The American billionaire George B. Stefenson is traveling in Europe on business when the strain of his demanding work causes him to suffer a heart attack. The doctor who is called, Dr. Hartung, urgently advises him to take a quarter of a year off—in other words, to take a “holiday from himself.” After some hesitation, Stefenson agrees and also promises to fund the project, since an institution offering such a thing has so far existed only as a dream in the doctor’s mind. As part of their “holiday from themselves,” all participants are given new first names and work clothes so that none of the other residents will learn who they really are. For this reason, Stefenson buys the run-down Schloss Dornberg estate from the young Eva von Dornberg, who continues to manage its finances, while Dr. Hartung takes charge of medical care. Stefenson himself joins in country life as Walter and, over time, falls in love with Eva von Dornberg, who, like all the other residents except the doctor and the castellan, has no idea who Walter really is. Shortly before the happy ending, a malicious scheme leads Stefenson to believe that Eva does in fact know who he really is. Disappointed, he is about to leave in a great hurry. By a stroke of luck, however, the scheme is exposed, and Stefenson returns to Eva.