Summary
The magic of the First Republic underworld – the galerka (in Prague’s Žižkov quarter) – formed a major component of the popular television series Hříšní lidé města pražského (The Sinful People of Prague, 1968). Inspired by a book from author Jiří Marek, and adapted for the screen by writer-director Jiří Sequens, this 1970 film shifts the old world criminal comedy atmosphere, as well as the series’ characters, from the small to the big screen. The main protagonist – the astute police administrator Vacátko, portrayed by Jaroslav Marvan – becomes entangled in the tragic story of reckless prostitute Anča, nicknamed “Paraplíčko”, and her lover, the safe cracker Pěnička. The romantic drama set in interwar Prague sees Jiřina Bohdalová and Radoslav Brzobohatý in the lead roles. Police administrator Vacátko would feature in three further feature films and one television film. Pěnička a Paraplíčko (Burglar and Umbrella) is marked by a major effort by its makers to evoke the period atmosphere with musical numbers, which tilt this crime comedy towards being an actual musical.
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