The Finances of the Grand Duke
About The Finances of the Grand Duke
The Grand Duke of Abacco, a small Mediterranean island, cannot pay his debts. The lender Markowitz wants the state, and a letter from the rich Grand Duchess Olga agreeing to marry the duke is stolen. Businessman Bekker offers money for a sulphur mine the duke will not allow, then joins a plot to overthrow him. Thief-detective Phillip Collin, posing as Professor Pelotard, lifts the letter while hunting blackmail papers on Congressman Isaak, and meets Olga, who is hiding from her brother. Newspapers report a revolution, a bond speculation, and a missing duke. Olga, passing as Collin's wife, charters a ship. The duke, unrecognized, sails with them. Markowitz shows the crown prince a forged copy of Olga's letter and points a warship at the island.
Cast & crew
More about The Finances of the Grand Duke
F. W. Murnau directed the comedy. Thea von Harbou and Frank Heller wrote it, from Heller's novel. Karl Freund and Franz Planer photographed it. The German title is Die Finanzen des Großherzogs. Harry Liedtke, Alfred Abel, and Max Schreck are in the cast. Edgar G. Ulmer is listed with Murnau on some credit lines.
Themes
Look
Karl Freund and Franz Planer shot the island comedy, including the chartered ship and the warship.
Notes
- Ilka Grüning, Guido Herzfeld, Hermann Vallentin, and Georg August Koch are also credited.
- Collin asks Isaak for a £50,000 fee and says he will use it to speculate in Abacco's debt.
Scenes
- Collin swaps Olga's letter for a copy while stealing Isaak's papers.
- Olga charters a ship and, without knowing it, takes the duke aboard.
Influenced by
- Frank Heller's novel
Also available
- Internet Archive (silent-finances-of-the-grand-duke)
