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I recently published an article on multiple-language version films that are easily available to view in at least two of their surviving iterations:
http://www.brentonfilm.com/articles/mul ... yers-guide
A separate article on Laurel and Hardy's MLVs is in hand.

It's a totally unique guide that I'd like to be a constantly updated resource for MLV fans and scholars. Does anyone know of any pre-WWII examples I haven't included? As long they can be seen in whole or part on DVD/Blu-ray or online I'll add them. Remember: at least two versions please!

Brent,

Grapevine Video has the English and German language versions of F.P.1 AKA F.P.1 DOESN'T ANSWER (1933).
Conrad Veidt stars in the English version but oddly is replaced by Hans Albers in the German version. A French edition is now apparently lost but starred Charles Boyar.

The stars of the German, English and French versions of F.P.1:

Speaking of Conrad Veidt, the huge Ufa production THE CONGRESS DANCES (1931) aka DER KONGRESS TANZT was made in three or perhaps four MLVs. The German Amazon (Amazon.de) sells a very nice DVD of the German language version but with only Austrian subtitles. A bonus feature shows excerpts from the English language version. The last time I checked, Youtube had a very nice looking German version with English subtitles.

DVD Cover Art:


Brent, please free to post on my FB group Silent Film Today.

Hi Bob,

I already covered F.P.1 in some detail; do go and look at the article! There's a second, linked from the first, that covers MLVs released from 1931 onwards. Mind you, I hadn't come across that group photo so if I can find a slightly higher res version I'll stick it in there.

Great tip, re Der Kongress tanzt: I wasn't aware of the clips in the featurette, so that's definitely going in. Now if only I could turn up the French MLV of Die Drei von der Tankstelle; I'd love to include that great film.

I've been a member of your Fb group for some time!

Brent wrote:Hi Bob,

I already covered F.P.1 in some detail; do go and look at the article! There's a second, linked from the first, that covers MLVs released from 1931 onwards. Mind you, I hadn't come across that group photo so if I can find a slightly higher res version I'll stick it in there.

Great tip, re Der Kongress tanzt: I wasn't aware of the clips in the featurette, so that's definitely going in. Now if only I could turn up the French MLV of Die Drei von der Tankstelle; I'd love to include that great film.

I've been a member of your Fb group for some time!

Thanks Brent. I did read your article but obviously not carefully enough. I too have been looking for a higher res of that group photo from F.P.1 and if I find one I'll be happy to share it with you. Re CONGRESS DANCES, I don't read German so I had no idea that bonus feature was on the disc until I started playing the extras. It was a nice surprise.

Brent wrote:I recently published an article on multiple-language version films that are easily available to view in at least two of their surviving iterations:
http://www.brentonfilm.com/articles/mul ... yers-guide
A separate article on Laurel and Hardy's MLVs is in hand.

It's a totally unique guide that I'd like to be a constantly updated resource for MLV fans and scholars. Does anyone know of any pre-WWII examples I haven't included? As long they can be seen in whole or part on DVD/Blu-ray or online I'll add them. Remember: at least two versions please!

You already have Amphitryn but I just like to note that the 20 minute making-of is very decent and that the French version is unofficially available (taped from TV I suspect).

The magnificent Lubitsch THE MERRY WIDOW was made in English and French versions. The English version is on DVD (lucky us) and there is a clip of the French version LA VEUVE JOYEUSE on YouTube; maybe it's on home video in Europe.

David Shepard

Hi Bob, I found a slightly higher res version of that pic so it's now in - thanks!

Hi David, hope you're well. I've already covered The Merry Widow and linked the YouTube clip you mention. It is from French TV: to date, La Veuve joyeuse hasn't been released on any home video format.

Please keep those suggestions coming but do first have a look at the two dozen or so I've turned up so far:

• http://www.brentonfilm.com/articles/mul ... yers-guide

I'm pretty sure I've caught all the ones that can be had fully on disc (someone please prove me wrong!); now I think it's down to films where one version is on disc and there are TV rips of its MLV on YouTube or elswhere...

Brent wrote:Hi Bob, I found a slightly higher res version of that pic so it's now in - thanks!

Hi David, hope you're well. I've already covered The Merry Widow and linked the YouTube clip you mention. It is from French TV: to date, La Veuve joyeuse hasn't been released on any home video format.

Please keep those suggestions coming but do first have a look at the two dozen or so I've turned up so far:
http://www.brentonfilm.com/articles/mul ... yers-guide
http://www.brentonfilm.com/articles/mul ... ide-part-2

I'm pretty sure I've caught all the ones that can be had fully on disc (someone please prove me wrong!); now I think it's down to films where one version is on disc and there are TV rips of its MLV on YouTube or elswhere...

In Argentina, when Paramount produced a Maurice Chevalier in English and French versions both were simultaneously released. However, it must be noted that that contemporary reviewers always stated that the English language versions were always the films.

In general when a Hollywood studio produced versions in different languages, all of them would be shown in Argentina. But if there was a Spanish language version, only that one was exhibited.

If only one European version of a film that was originally released became popular, a second one would be released to exploit its popularity. THE CONGRESS DANCES, in Buenos Aires, was originally released in its French version... one the film proved to be a succesful, they also released the German version too.

Since in Europe these multilanguage versions are still produced sometimes one version is available in certain markets instead of the other one. THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS was originally released to theaters in Italian; it was not until many years that the French version became accessible. It depends on the distributor and from the place that the exhibition prints originate.

I have the British and German language versions of My Heart is Calling You (Mein Herz ruft Nach Dir) the 1934 operetta starring Jan Kiepura and Marta Eggerth.

What I do not have is the French version, which stars Danielle Darrieux (still alive aged 98) in plae of Marta Eggerth.

Does anyone know if it still exists anywhere?

Many of the early 30s musicals were made in multiple language versions. Sunshine Susie is a good example, with Renate Muller and Jack Hulbert, a British version of DIE PRIVATSECKRETARIN and released in the USA as The Office Girl. The German and British versions were made simultaneously on the same sets, much like the US an German versions of Garbo's ANNA CHRISTIE, the previous year.

One might also mention A BLONDE DREAM, an English language version of Ein Blonder Traum, the 1932 musical starring Lillian Harvey. Hulbert also partners her in the British version, repacing Willy Forst.

I'd love to see the British versions of these but as yet, none have surfaced.

I already know exactly what MLVs were made and in how many different versions. There are hundreds and we could list them ad infinitum. Many can be seen here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple-language_version

What I'm specifically looking for are examples of MLVs that are available to buy on disc or stream online, in whole or part, in at least two different versions. That aren't already in the article linked to in my OP. There are several more omitted deliberately, where one version is only on VHS. However, if said VHS has been uploaded to a video site, it's game.

Brendan, you say you have two of Mein Herz ruft nach dir's versions; where did you get them from; what format are they on?

Hi Brent

Sorry if I slightly misunderstood your original post.

The copies of Mein Herz are both on videocassette and I got them as a private gift about 15 years ago from friends in the Australian film archive (the British version) and the Austrian film archive (for the German version). Neither is commercially available. I have a lot of equally rare films from these sources, and got them on the understanding that I would not copy or distribute them, signing documents to that effect back then. As a collector and archivist, I would have signed in blood to get these rarities as one never knows if they will ever be released or even survive.

best wishes
BRENDAN CARROLL