Men about Town

One of the most beloved Czechoslovak films of the 1960s, Světáci (Men about Town, 1969) tells the story of a trio of married outdoor plasterers, who decide to explore the mysteries of the night-time metropolis. Following some bad experiences in the luxury Diplomat Grill they decide that they want to act just like the local Prague salon-crawlers. And so Skopec, Petrtýl and Prouza get themselves some evening suits and even complete a course in social etiquette and dance held by professor emeritus Dvorský. But when the plasterers-cum-suave-gentlemen finally enchant three elegant beauties, the women have no idea that the men – similarly to themselves – are just putting on a show. One of the most celebrated Czech comedies of its time, Men about Town teams up director Zdeňěk Podskalský and screenwriter Vratislav Blažek, writer of such films as Tři přání (Three Wishes, 1958), Starci na chmelu (Hop-Pickers, 1964), and Dáma na kolejích (The Lady of the Lines, 1966). Leading actor Jiří Sovák also plays a major part in the success of this film. Even for director Podskalský, whose 1960s and 70s filmography is rich with quality, entertaining films, Men about Town represents a truly remarkable accomplishment, in part thanks to its staging and snappy, amusing dialogue. The classic story of the transformation of a common man into a gentleman mixing among high society is naturally only the backbone of a story replete with countless comic moments. In terms of subtext, this light-hearted film also serves as a commentary on the erosion of morals within Czech communist society. Among the strong performances, refined First Republic star Oldřich Nový shines as a former trainer of etiquette, turned librarian. Alongside Sovák (Skopec), Podskalský cast the superb Vlastimil Brodský (Prouza) and Jan Libíček (Petrtýl) as the other two men of the trio. Meanwhile, the female trio are played by Jiřina Jirásková, Iva Janžurová and Jiřina Bohdalová, the latter of whom the director also cast in his films Bílá paní (The White Lady, 1965) and Ženu ani květinou neuhodíš (You Don’t Strike a Woman Even with a Flower, 1966).