Zwei Herzen und ein Schlag (1932)

Jenny Müller is a little revue dancer with big ambitions. She is no longer satisfied with performing at the shabby cabaret called the “Plucked Goldfinch,” and her chances of making a career for herself are not bad at all: the portly, notoriously cheerful Duke of Auribeau has become not only her devoted admirer but also her generous patron and benefactor. Her still-husband, Victor Müller, a head waiter at an elegant hotel on the Riviera, cannot understand Jenny’s ambitions, and the newlyweds are constantly arguing about them. While Jenny, performing as “Ria Bella” in Paris, dreams of an artistic career, Victor sees it all as grandiose daydreaming. Everyone thinks Jenny is sweet, but also a little crazy. She travels to see Victor on the Côte d’Azur once more, and they quarrel again. Now the aspiring artist has had enough, and in a fit of temper she demands a divorce from Victor. Her lawyer advises her that, to obtain one without difficulty, there must be an incident that could justify the divorce under the fault-based system. So her legal counsel suggests that she provoke her husband until he gives her a resounding slap. Despite all her efforts to provoke Victor until he loses his temper, however, Jenny’s husband remains exceptionally self-disciplined and has no intention of hitting his wife. The head waiter instead displays angelic patience, whatever Jenny, alias “Ria Bella,” may do. At that point, she gives up her plan and returns to Paris with the Duke to meet in person with an artist manager who is important to her career. Victor, thinking it would probably be better to keep an eye on his Jenny, follows them. The Duke makes sure Victor will not be left without an income and gets him a position as a butler. But, owing to a misunderstanding, Victor feels compelled to drop everything and return to the French coast. Jenny, however, still loves her Victor and is sad that he wants to leave Paris again. Her grand premiere as “Ria Bella” at the chic “Bird of Paradise” cabaret is approaching. Victor’s uncle Moritz wants to help the newlyweds get back together, and has arranged for most of the premiere guests to be unemployed domestic servants. But the idea quickly proves disastrous, because these people do not know how to appreciate “Ria’s” artistic performances properly: they jeer during her act, and soon everything descends into chaos. Then Victor arrives, and manages to get the event back on track. Jenny and Victor now know once and for all that they are meant for each other.