Line #23 Film/DieFeuerzangenbowle


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/4_97.jpg]]
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3	->''"Dieser Film ist ein Loblied auf die Schule, aber es ist möglich, daß die Schule es nicht merkt."'' [[labelnote:Translation]]"This film sings the praises of school, but it is possible school won't realize this."[[/labelnote]]
4	-->-- '''Motto at the beginning of the film'''
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6	''Die Feuerzangenbowle'' is a 1933 German novel by Heinrich Spoerl of which three film adaptations were made. The second one (b/w) from 1944 (sometimes called ''The Punch Bowl'' in English) is actually the best-known one, which is why this article will be based on this film instead of the book. That 1944 film is very close to the book, and it is also notable as (within Germany) possibly ''the'' most enduringly popular movie from UsefulNotes/NaziGermany.
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8	The plot: The young but already successful playwright Dr. Johannes Pfeiffer (played by German star Heinz Rühmann) meets his friends, some older men who are sitting together, drinking the eponymous [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feuerzangenbowle Feuerzangenbowle]] and reminiscence about their school time, the fun they had, the pranks they played on their teachers... then, Pfeiffer (with three "f") confesses that he never went to a school, having had private teachers instead, and missed all the fun. So the others suggest him jokingly (and under the influence) to disguise himself as a student and go to a school, just for a few weeks, to know how life at school is - in the small German city of Babenberg, where nobody knows about the famous author Pfeiffer. HilarityEnsues.
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10	You can watch the movie for free on archive.org, [[http://archive.org/details/DieFeuerzangenbowleHeinzRuehmann here]].
11	----
12	!!Examples:
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14	* AllJustADream: [[spoiler:At the end, we learn that Pfeiffer didn't realize this zany idea. He just thinks it would have been great.]]
15	* AnachronismStew: During the chemistry lesson, the element radium is mentioned, which was discovered in 1898. But in the Direktor's room, there's a picture of the supposed current emperor Wilhelm I on the wall - who died in 1888.
16	* AudienceParticipation: Some German universities show the movie as a kind of event. Which involves a stiff drink (guess which scene), using flashlights, alarm clocks and Roman candles.
17	* BackToSchool: The whole premise (though the purpose is just for fun).
18	* BettyAndVeronica: Marion, originally Pfeiffer's girlfriend, is the Veronica. Eva, 17-year-old daughter of the school's ''Direktor'' (principal), is Betty. Who wins at the end.
19	* BunnyEarsLawyer: Most of the teachers are quite quirky, with their dialects and other peculiarities.
20	* CantGetAwayWithNuthin: In geography, the protagonist helps his fellow student by using the reflection of a pocket mirror to show him on the map where the goths (the Germanic people) went during the ''völkerwanderung''. Unfortunately, Dr. Brett isn't fooled.
21	* CantHoldHisLiquor: When the chemistry teacher "Schnauz" lets the students taste "a teensy-tiny drop" of alcohol (blueberry wine), all of them act as if they were completely drunk.
22	* CatchPhrase: Bömmel's. "Da stellen wir uns einmal janz dumm..." (Let's act totally dumb...)
23	* ClassClown: What Pfeiffer soon becomes. Hey, he hasn't to fear anything.
24	* ClockTampering: Pfeiffer manages to set all clocks at Professor Crey's home he can get hold of back by one hour. This being Pfeiffer, it's of course part of something way more elaborate.
25	* ComicallyMissingThePoint: Intentionally. One day, Pfeiffer puts up a sign at the school gate which tells that there's no school that day. After being fooled like that, the teachers decide to act as if nothing happened. Which leads to this dialogue:
26	--> '''Tattletale:''' "But professor, I wanted to say, 'cause of the sign..."
27	--> '''Schnauz:''' "It's not ''cause of the sign', but 'because of the sign'!"
28	* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment: Thanks to blueberry wine. Or not?
29	--> '''Pfeiffer:''' "Die alkoholische Gärung oder die Gärung des Alkohols erzeugt Alkohol, der Alkohol erzeugt Gärung, die alkoholische Gärung."
30	* {{Elopement}}: Towards the end, Pfeiffer threatens to do this with Eva just to get thrown out of school which still hasn't happened after all he's done.
31	* EmergencyImpersonation: When "Schnauz" misses the lesson he's supposed to give, Pfeiffer (we remember, he's [[ClockTampering responsible for Schnauz being late]]) disguises as him and gives the lesson in his place. Also, he invites a class from the nearby girls' school. When the Oberschulrat wants to take a look at the lesson, the Direktor actually begs Pfeiffer to hold up the masquerade, and the situation becomes this trope. And THEN, the real Schnauz walks in...
32	* FilmOfTheBook
33	* FramingDevice: See the description.
34	* GilliganCut: Several in a row. We see the face of the protagonist change bit by bit while he protests his friend's wacky plan: "Do you really expect me to take off my dear moustache, cut the long hair, put on some glasses and a student's uniform?"
35	* GirlNextDoor: Eva.
36	* ImportantHaircut: To look like a student and not like an author.
37	* InsistentTerminology: "Your name?" - "Pfeiffer." - "With one or two F?" - "With three, one before the 'ei', two after."
38	* InVinoVeritas: Those stuffy old German guys are really fond of good pranks.
39	* LateForSchool: The teacher of "Hans"' class, because the protagonist used the opportunity to "readjust" all his clocks. On the very day when the ''Oberschulrat'' (superintendent) wants to take a look at his teaching. Fortunately, Pfeiffer takes his place.
40	* MoralGuardians: [[ThoseWackyNazis Education minister Rust]] tried to stop the movie, an account of making fun of school and authorities. Heinz Rühmann saved it by showing the movie in a private show to Hermann Göring, who convinced UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler otherwise, and trumped Rust.
41	* TheNicknamer: The students call the chemistry teacher "Schnauz" (for his big moustache), the physics teacher "Bömmel" and the principal "Zeus".
42	* NoSell: One does not simply successfully prank Dr. Brett.
43	* NostalgiaFilter: Wilhelmine Germany never was so light-hearted and funny as in this movie.
44	* ThePrankster: Pfeiffer again.
45	* RealNameAsAnAlias: Dr. Johannes Pfeiffer becomes the student Hans Pfeiffer ("Hans" being a common abbreviation).
46	* ScrewTheRulesIHaveConnections: Used by Rühmann for a good effect. Play out Hitler himself against his minister to save the movie from being forbidden.
47	* SternTeacher: Dr. Brett. Due to ExecutiveMeddling, since the NS propaganda wanted a teacher who wasn't a joke character.
48	* XanatosGambit: The "Closed due to construction" sign on the school gates.
49	** The normal reaction would be for the teachers to go outside and remove the sign. No day off, but everyone would know that all the teachers plus the principal have been pranked. Pfeiffer would win by fooling them all in one fell swoop.
50	** Bömmel's suggestion is to leave the sign hanging and make the school building look like there has been actual construction work. The school would stay closed for a day, but the teachers keep their dignity, so this is what they actually do. Still, Pfeiffer wins by giving all students a day off.

Context Film / DieFeuerzangenbowle