1-2-3 Corona is an East German film directed by Hans Müller

Hans Müller (director)

-Selected filmography:* Aufruhr der Herzen * 1-2-3 Corona * Bürgermeister Anna * Lockende Sterne * Carola Lamberti – Eine vom Zirkus * The Czar and the Carpenter * Drillinge an Bord...

. It was released in 1948.

Plot

In ruined Berlin, several bands of abandoned children roam the streets, engaging in petty crimes. When a circus arrives nearby, the boys are charmed by one Trapeze performer called Corona. They are upset when the circus' manager insults her, and plan a revenge by setting a trap on the ring. But their scheme fails and it is Corona that is injured. Being unable to work, she is dismissed.
The boys tend to her, and as time passes, she teaches them her art, and they form a little circus of their own. A manager of another circus offers Corona a job. She is reluctant to leave the children. Eventually, the manager takes them all in into his circus.

Cast

• Eva Ingeborg Scholz as Corona
• Lutz Moik as Gerhard Wittmann
• Piet Clausen as Dietrich
• Ralph Siewert as Fritzchen
• Walter Werner as Doctor Waldner
• Annemarie Hase as Frau Schmittchen
• Herbert Hübner
  Herbert Hübner
  Herbert Hübner was a German film actor. He appeared in over 150 films between 1921 and 1966.He was born in Breslau, Germany and died in Munich, Germany.-Selected filmography:...
  
   as Professor Hanke
• Hans-Edgar Stecher as Heinz
• Horst Gentzen as Emil
• Werner Müller
  Werner Müller
  Werner Müller is a Swiss sprint canoer who competed in the early 1950s. He finished 16th in the K-2 10000 m event at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.-References:*...
  
   as Carl
• Hans Neie as Rudi
• Eduard Wandrey as Hugo Grandini
• Hans Leibelt as Circus Manager Barlay

Production

The script writers were inspired by a real children's circus, Rose, that was a popular attraction in the city of Pößneck

Pößneck

Pößneck is a town in the Saale-Orla-Kreis district, in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated 19 km east of Rudolstadt, and 26 km south of Jena....

 during the first post-war years. 1-2-3 Corona was the first DEFA picture to be filmed in UFA's old studio in Potsdam-Babelsberg, which was turned into the DEFA Feature Films Studio. Outdoor photography took place in Charlottenburg

Charlottenburg

Charlottenburg is a locality of Berlin within the borough of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, named after Queen consort Sophia Charlotte...

 and Prenzlauer Berg

Prenzlauer Berg

Prenzlauer Berg is a locality of Berlin, in the borough of Pankow.Until 2001, Prenzlauer Berg was a borough of Berlin; in that year it was included in the borough of Pankow....

.

Reception

1-2-3 Corona had its premiere in East Berlin

East Berlin

East Berlin was the name given to the eastern part of Berlin between 1949 and 1990. It consisted of the Soviet sector of Berlin that was established in 1945. The American, British and French sectors became West Berlin, a part strongly associated with West Germany but a free city...

's Babylon Cinema. It was viewed by some eight million people. The Catholic Film Service defined it as a "realistic picture, managing to create an entertaining film with modest resources."

Author Peter Pleyer regarded it as a classical "Rubble film

Rubble film

Rubble film was the style of choice for those films made directly after World War II dealing with the impact of the ravages of the War on the countries at the center of battle...

", that "tried to provide some optimism".

External links

• 1-2-3 Corona original poster on ostfilm.de.
• 1-2-3 Corona on DEFA Sternstunden.