Hochzeit auf Immenhof (1956)

Two years have passed since Henriette Jantzen, with Jochen von Roth’s help, had just managed to save Immenhof from an impending forced auction. A lot has happened since then. Despite all her efforts, the old lady has been unable to keep the estate. It was a hard day for everyone when the bailiff officially sealed the home of Grandma Jantzen and her granddaughters, Dick and Dalli. Von Roth tried everything to save Immenhof, but to no avail. Worst of all, however, was that Angela, Dick and Dalli’s older sister, died just a few months after marrying Jochen. By now, von Roth has had to give up his dream of establishing a stud farm. Grandma Jantzen, Dick, and Dalli have moved in with him at Dodau Forester’s Lodge, where conditions are very cramped compared with Immenhof. The pony breeding operation continues, albeit on a much smaller scale. The auction of Immenhof is scheduled for four weeks’ time. Dick has become more serious and mature during this period and helps wherever she can. Dalli seems to have changed very little; as long as she can race around the pasture with her ponies, she is content. To everyone’s surprise, Ethelbert turns up at Immenhof for the first time in two years. With him is his friend Ralf Schüller, a graphic artist and clarinetist. Everyone is delighted, but Ethelbert has to realize that a lot has changed—including Dick. Dick, in turn, is immediately taken with the self-assured Ralf, who also plays the clarinet exceptionally well. Jochen von Roth’s attempts to raise money continue to come to nothing. His idea for a pony hotel modeled on Scottish examples fails to impress either the district administrator or the district savings bank. Mainly to impress Dick, Ethelbert decides to visit his wealthy uncle Pankraz, a vineyard owner in Eltville, and persuade him to invest in Jochen’s idea. With Dr. Pudlich’s help, he actually succeeds in getting Pankraz Hallgarten to come to Dodau. Since all sorts of things go wrong during the journey and the reception that follows, Pankraz wants to leave again as soon as possible. His daughter Margot, however, who has accompanied him, is attracted to Jochen von Roth from the outset, and he falls in love with her too. After an argument with von Roth, Pankraz Hallgarten returns to Eltville without his daughter. When the day of the auction arrives, a great many prospective buyers show up. But they all come away empty-handed, as a mysterious man in a bowler hat buys the entire property in one go, without bargaining. Jochen is indignant when, asked what he intends to do with Immenhof, the man replies, “A pony hotel.” Margot’s love helps him through, however, and the two marry soon afterward. The couple is in for a great surprise when Margot’s father appears outside the church after the ceremony and asks the wedding party—which includes Ethelbert and Ralf—to follow him. They go to Immenhof, which Pankraz, whose gruff exterior hides a soft heart, gives the couple as a wedding present. The man in the bowler hat had acted on his instructions. This also means that Grandma Jantzen and her granddaughters can return to their beloved Immenhof. Dalli glances at her sister, who is being held in Ralf’s arms, and says mischievously that this need not have been the last wedding at Immenhof.