Hyppolit, the Butler
Hyppolit, a lakáj (1931)
István Székely
© filmscan
Evergreen comedy about a typical parvenu, an ignorant transportation entrepreneur who has suddenly found himself very rich. Despite their humble origins, his wife strives to live a sophisticated lifestyle. When she engages a butler, Hyppolit (Gyula Csortos), their whole life is turned upside down. It has remained one of the most viewed Hungarian comedies of all time: it is shown regularly and is still extremely popular.
Awards and selections: 2000 – Part of The Budapest 12 – One of Hungary’s Best Films
Directed by: István Székely Written by: István Zágon Screenplay by: Károly Nóti, István Székely Director of photography: István Eiben, Eduard Hösch Music by: Mihály Eisemann Cast: Gyula Csortos, Gyula Kabos, Mici Haraszti, Éva Fenyvessy Genre: comedy Production: Sonor Film, Praha Technical specs: black and white, 72 min Format: 1.37:1, 2K restored “For this entertaining comedy, built on the familiar theme of the wealthy family of parvenus where the wife is determined to become ‘aristocratic’ at all costs, is well photographed and capably directed, is spiced with lots of jokes and is accompanied by some attractive music. (…) M. Csortos is the personification of the butler who undertakes the hopeless task of making his new employers into passable imitations of nobility. He carries himself with such dignity and good humor.” (The New York Times, 4 January 1933)
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