Liebe ist ja nur ein Märchen (1955)

After completing her piano training, the young Helga Lindenberg flies to Athens to join her boyfriend, Dr. Klaus Weinert, who is doing research there with her father at the Biological Institute. She is looking forward to spending a few days with Klaus and does not know that both men, together with Dr. Lindenberg’s assistant, Angela Brinkmann, actually have to work around the clock to finish certain research before the Biological Congress begins in Rome in ten days. Klaus is so absorbed in his work that he does not arrive at the airport in time to meet Helga. It is the singer Mario who arranges a taxi for her. Helga’s father and Klaus initially try to make her stay perfect. They go out to eat at a bar where Mario performs as a singer. But the very next day, everyone has to work, and Helga spends St. George’s Day walking around Athens alone. Klaus does promise to drive with her through Attica, but he cannot keep his promise when he has to unexpectedly fill in as a sea diver. Helga uses the time to see Mario again. When she gets home that evening, she refuses to explain to Klaus why she has been away so long. The next morning, the two make up at first, only to quarrel again later. One reason is Helga’s jealousy of Angela, whom she suspects of being an admirer of Klaus. Klaus goes out to sea alone to continue his research, while Helga travels with Mario to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon, a place for lovers. He sings to her, and the two eventually kiss. Since Mario is a good singer, Helga promises to support his career. When Beckers, her father’s old school friend and a music manager, announces that he is coming to Athens and arranges an evening event at the Lindenbergs’ home, Helga puts Mario forward as the evening’s singer. His performance is a great success, and Beckers wants to sign him. During the event, Dr. Lindenberg learns that Angela has gone out to sea alone to retrieve certain breeding containers from the water. Klaus goes to check on her and rescues her from the water, as she had nearly drowned after a boating accident. Dr. Lindenberg, who is in love with Angela, unlike Klaus, asks her to marry him, but she wants time to think it over. Klaus realizes that he has too little time to hold on to Helga, who is spending more and more time with Mario. However, Mario’s friend Fritz warns her that Mario is unreliable and will only make her unhappy. Indeed, after a short time Helga sees Mario with another woman. She makes up with Klaus and is delighted when Angela and her father finally announce that they are a couple. Shortly afterward, to be completely sure of her feelings, Helga attends one of Mario’s concerts and then returns to Klaus, now knowing that he is the only one she loves.