Figure 1.-- Here is an image from the 1954 German production of "Emil and the Detectives" based on the notabable Erich Kästner book. The changes in the style of boys clothing in the various versions is interesting to note. The scene here is the part of the film where Bowler Hat has been arrested.

A very popular German children's book was Emil and the Detectives by Erich Kästner. There are four versions of this film: German (1931), English (1935), England (1947), German (1954), and U.S. (Disney, 1964. HBC is familiar with the last two which are loosley similar. The fitst Kästner film to be made into a film was "Emil and the Dectectives" (1931). It was made in Germany before the NAZIs seized power. After that there would be no more productions in Germany until afer World War II and the defeat of the NAZIs. The only British film to be called 'Emil and the Detective' was made by a British film company in 1935. Emil travels to London in this version. The 1935 English language version of Emil was also released in the United States. This version is proving hard to find. The British Ealing film titeled "Hue and Cry" (1947) is loosely based on this story. Disney, however, always takes diabolicle liberties with any film adaptation. The clothes of the characters in the Walt Disney 1964 film are interesting. Some children seem to be dressed similar to children in the 1930s. One boy wears a Peter Pan collar and this makes his dress look old fashioned. The story line is changed from Emil getting robbed to Emil and the children stopping a heist at a large bank.

Emil and the Detectives - (Germany, 1931)

Here we have the first production of the Erich Kästner's book, Emil and the Detectives. This book published in the 1920s quickly became one of the most popular Germsn children's book. A group of young detectives out to nab the thief who robbed their friend. We have little information on the production st this time. This was the only German production of an Erich Kästner book for some time. The NAZI's seized control of Germany (1933) and Kästner was not only a pacifist, but an outspoken anti-NAZI. His books were burned and he was not allowed to publish. Of course Goebbels who also controlled movie production did not permit any of his bookdss to be produced as movies.

Emil and the Decectives - (England, 1935)

The first English language version of Erich Kästner's book Emil and the Detectives, was made in 1935. His work was banned in Germany by the NAZIs. It was released in America in April 1938. The production company was Richard Wainwright Productions. The director was Milton Rosmer. The screenplay was adapted from the book by Cyrus Brooks. The dialogue was written by Margaret Carter. It was filmed in black and white. The setting was shifted from Germany to England. Emil Blake travels from a small English village to spend his summer holiday in London with his grandma and cousin Polly. While travelling on the train he is robbed. A group of London streetwise children help him to apprehend the thief and get his stolen money back.

Hue and Cry - (England,1947)

The British Ealing film titeled "Hue and Cry" (1947) is loosely based on the Kästner story.

Emil and the Detectives - (Germany, 1954)

"Emil and the Dectectives" is perhaps the most famous of all the children's books written by Erich Kästner. The German title is "Emil und die Detektive". A group of young detectives out to nab the thief who robbed their friend. This not very notable children's film does provide a good overview of the clothes West German boys were wearing in the 1950s. The film centers on a group of children so there are many scences showing the ordinary clothes worn by German boys. Movies made in Germany provide some insights into contemporary boys clothing. Because of the language barrier, these films have not been widely circulated in the United States. I know little about the movies, but they do provide useful glimpses into clothing trends.

Emil and the Detectives - (US, 1964)

Disney version filmed in Germany. Bryan Russell plays Emil.

Emil and the Detectives - (US, 2004)

Created: 5:42 AM 8/29/2009
Last updated: 5:42 AM 8/29/2009