Christl Ehlers as herself in People on Sunday (1930). Image: IMDb
So. If you’re a film and/or history nerd, we have a movie for you.
People on Sunday (1930) is an indie film made in Berlin, and it’s about four young people who go to the lake on a Sunday. They swim, share lunch on the beach, listen to records(!), and rent a boat. It’s the way anyone would want to spend a day at the lake.
The outing is the result of a young man (Wolfgang von Waltershausen) meeting a young woman (Christl Ehlers) and developing An Interest in her. They agree to meet at the lake the next day (Sunday), and each of them invites their best friend.
However, there are glitches. Wolfgang’s friend is in a somewhat difficult marriage, and he goes to the lake without his wife.
Then! Christl’s best friend develops her own interest in Wolfgang, and quickly forges a relationship with him…if you know what we mean.
As the day draws to a close, the four return to Regular Life in the city, some of them changed by the experience.
Wolfgang von Waltershausen is dressed for a day at the beach. Image: IMDb
It doesn’t sound like much of a plot, does it?
The film is a semi-documentary that includes many candid shots of regular folks in the city and at the lake. We see people disembarking a train, kids playing in the water, families enjoying a picnic.
Yet, this movie is fascinating for several reasons:
Its sunniness and optimism are almost unbelievable, coming as they do in the last years of the Weimar Republic and three years before Adolph Hitler became Chancellor of Germany. There is no suggestion of the darkness that was to engulf Germany, nor is there mention of the economic and political turmoil of the preceding years. This film concerns itself only with a carefree summer day.
The actors in this movie are not professionals. They play themselves, using their real names and their actual Day Jobs: taxi driver, wine salesman, music store employee, movie extra, and model. Yet, you would never know this by watching them. They are genuine and authentic – and very good.
The movie was shot in 1929, and all filming days really were on Sundays, as actors and filmmakers were employed elsewhere. Given this haphazard schedule, the lack of continuity errors is remarkable.
Even though this is a silent film from nearly 100 years ago, it feels strangely modern. The camera angles are innovative, the themes are timeless, and the people themselves don’t seem stuck in the Past.
Get this! The young filmmakers of People on Sunday would, in time, become a Who’s Who of Classic Hollywood. They include: • B-movie director Curt Siodmak. • Oscar-nominated director Robert Siodmak. • Writer and director Edgar G. Ulmer. • Oscar-winning director Fred Zinneman. • Oscar-winning director and screenwriter Billy Wilder.
Frankly, we’re embarrassed we hadn’t even heard of this film until a few months ago.
Annie Schreyer is livin’ the dream. Image: IMDb
Because People on Sunday was released soon before a certain political party came to power in Germany, it’s only natural to wonder where these actors Ended Up.
Wolfgang von Waltershausen, wine seller extraordinaire, appeared in two other films in 1930 and 1931. He studied mining and, according to IMDb, he became a consultant with Reichsgruppe Industrie. He died in 1973.
Christl Ehlers left Germany with her father in 1933, and she eventually settled in Los Angeles. She had a brief appearance in Escape (1940), starring Robert Taylor. She in died in a plane crash in 1960.
Erwin Splettstößer, taxi driver, died in an auto accident in 1932.
Brigitte Borchert, music store saleswoman, fled Berlin after a bombing in 1943. (Her husband was a Soviet POW.) She was 100 years old when she died in 2011.
Annie Schreyer, model: We could not find any information on her.
The Criterion Collection has a first-rate analysis of the film by historian Noah Isenberg. You can read it HERE.
Have you seen People on Sunday? What are your thoughts?
People on Sunday starring Erwin Splettstößer, Brigitte Borchert, Wolfgang von Waltershausen, Christl Ehlers, Annie Schreyer. Directed by Robert Siodmak & Edgar G. Ulmer. Written by Billy Wilder & Curt Siodmak. Film Studio 1929, 1930, B&W, 73 mins.
Wow, this sounds so fascinating, Ruth! And my mouth was practically agape when I was reading about the people in it who went on to Hollywood fame. I looked it up and I see I can access this on MAX. I’m looking so forward to seeing it — thank you for introducing this to me!
Silver Screenings 
Thank you! I have found it on the YouTubes and will watch it this week
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I hope you enjoy. It’s quite fascinating.
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I saw this a number of years ago and remember liking it a lot, so I should revisit it sometime. Thanks for the reminder!
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It’s a mesmerizing film in its way, isn’t it?
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Sounds great, Ruth. Thanks for the introduction. Will take a look for it.
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I think you’ll like this one, Maddy. It’s truly fascinating.
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A Criterion selection! 🎞️
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Yup, it is a Criterion selection, as well it should be.
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Have you seen this film? What are your thoughts?
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I haven’t seen it yet, but I definitely give this one a play! 📀
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I hope you enjoy!
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An ahead-of-its-time movie, for sure.
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Yup, it is ahead of its time, which makes it feel modern. Plus, it’s so enjoyable to watch.
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This does sound like a really interesting little movie. How did you discover it?
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Another blogger had reviewed it, and I can’t remember who it was. I owe them a Thank You.
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I do love the blogging chain where we discover films from others. Discovered quite a few from you and others over the years.
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Same with your site. I never knew a love of chunky jumpers could be elevated to an art form, and I am serious.
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Your post on Christopher Plummer in International Velvet has to be one of the definitive papers on this theme…
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Haha! This is the best compliment.
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After all you did kick things off with James Garner…
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Haha! I forgot about that.
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Wow, this sounds so fascinating, Ruth! And my mouth was practically agape when I was reading about the people in it who went on to Hollywood fame. I looked it up and I see I can access this on MAX. I’m looking so forward to seeing it — thank you for introducing this to me!
Karen
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I think you’ll really like this one, Karen. It’s a unique film, unforgettable in its way. Enjoy!
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Never seen it but it sounds like it was ahead of its time. 😊
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It truly was ahead of its time. That group of young filmmakers had remarkable vision for this movie.
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Oooh, I wrote abot this one years ago! Need to watch it again.
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Is your review still on your site? Can you send me the link? Would love to read your thoughts.
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