I had gotten confused with Rudolph Deyl playing The captain Leon, when in fact it was it was Gustav Nezval, who played it. although Rudolph is suppose to play a General and his father was an actor. The only General I saw was played by an older actor . Could this been his father instead? I did not see a young general. Although Ewald Balser, who played the captains aid,his name doesn't show up on the beginning Czech titles, but he's in it. He speaks good Czech or Slav language.I was surprise that this film included a black actor , who also Czech, Playing the same kind of roles American black actors were limited too playing in the 1940's.So much for Czech Republics race problems of the past.It takes place during the Biedermeier period .I think some where in the 1830's. Its a period of war.There is a big ball happening. Every one watching the ballet being performed on the steps of the dance hall.Captain Leon,played by Gustav, has come in . He see Lenka , Played by Lida Barova,. She's dress up in a costume and wearing a mask.The patron start bothering her. He rescues her to the balcony of the hall. He becomes interested in her but she won't remove the mask, Her sister , who also in costume and mask, takes her away. The next day Leon searches for her in the streets and the museum. He finally decides to check the opera.Then he notices that his opera guide has message from her.He meets her in a carriage but she still covers her face. They don't make an agreement and she takes off.Finally he agrees to her terms. So he ends up being blind folded to her place aide by the butler.ends up in her bedroom, but she doesn't let him see her yet. this lead to a tryst. Unfortunately, she forgot her old fashion made of wood Iud. She ends up with child. His child.She send him a letter to tell him to forget her. Then flashes a scene where she is being visited by her sister and her nieces and nephews. She later open this curtain to show her sister this painting of some old man , Then it goes back to the letter.She ends up moving with her sister to raise his child. War hits. I don't know what the war is all about. She sends him a trinket and a letter.He sister seems to suggest that maybe she ought to stop playing this masquerade.He meets his general, who I don't think is Rudolph Deyl, unless he played the doctor . They go out to meets his friends, which includes Lenka and her sister at . Her sister or Lenkas country house. He still is not aware that Lenka is the masked woman. He talks about the masked women and this makes her nervous. Well as the war rages on, Lenkas daughter is older. Although she is no Shirley Temple, she seems to be a good actress.Well Leon gets sick and he comes back to her country house to recuperate. As he gets better he starts seeing her daughter and gets a little suspicious of Lenka. As they go out together in her country estate When he's gotten well he leaves but starts missing the little girl and Lenkas.The next mask ball Lenkas decides to reveal her self to him . Telling him to come to her house. She surprised him with herself .,Lenka and his daughter.He's surprised and happy. This was an excellent classic foreign film from the country before Communism had taken it over. 08/15/11 4:15 am c.n.t.
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