Abenteuer in Wien / Stolen Identity is a forgotten little masterpiece of an Austrian Film Noir. The dark and shaddy pictures of Vienna are far away from the usual Vienna cliches. All characters are lost, fleeing the past towards a better future. Neglected by the film critics, Abenteuer in Wien / Stolen Identity was the first Astrian-American co-production since the introduction of sound film and the first Austrian production filmed in two versions: a German version and an American version with different actors in the main parts.
The book "Austrian Noir", edited by Armin Loacker, contains seven articles by six authors about the film music, the cinematography by Helmuth Ashley, the differences between the two versions, the locations in Vienna where the film was shot, the production background in post-war Austria and the production story and the reception of the film. All articles are in German without translation.
The Films
Abenteuer in Wien - Austria/USA 1952 - Directed by: Emile E. Reinert - Written by: Robert Thoeren, Johannes Mario Simmel, Franz Tassié and Michael Kehlmann, based on Motives of the Novel "Ich war Jack Mortimer" by Alexander Lernet-Holenia - Cinematographed by: Helmut Ashley - Music by: Richard Hagemann - Cast: Gustav Fröhlich, Cornell Borchers, Franz Lederer, Adrienne Gessner, Inge Konradi, Egon von Jordan - Produced by: Schönbrunn-Film Ernst Müller / Kreidl KG / Trans-Globe Film Inc. - Premiere: August 21, 1952, Palast-Theater Hannover
Stolen Identity - Austria/USA 1953 - Directed by: Emile E. Reinert, Günther von Fritsch - Written by: Robert Hill, Robert Thoeren, Johannes Mario Simmel, Franz Tassié and Michael Kehlmann, based on Motives of the Novel "Ich war Jack Mortimer" by Alexander Lernet-Holenia - Cinematographed by: Helmut Ashley - Music by: Richard Hagemann - Cast: Donald Buka, Joan Camden, Franz Lederer, Adrienne Gessner, Inge Konradi, Egon von Jordan - Produced by: Schönbrunn-Film Ernst Müller / Kreidl KG / Trans-Globe Film Inc. - Premiere: March 31, 1932 (Preview)
DVD Features
- Abenteuer in Wien 1952, 86', German language
- Stolen Identity 1953, 84', English language
- Chapter Selection
- Book "Austrian Noir", edited by Armin Loacker 2005, 183 pages, numerous illustrations, in German language
Edited by: Filmarchiv Austria
DVD Authoring: Zierhut & Partner Filmproduktion, Linz/ Puchenau
DVD Supervision: Dietmar Clees
