Emil and the Detectives backdrop image

Emil and the Detectives

ComedyCrime
5.5·1935·1h 10m

Erich Kästner’s beloved novel has been adapted for film or television six times since its publication in 1929; this 1935 British version was the first...

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Cast

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John Williams

Emil

George Hayes

George Hayes

The Man in The Boeler Hat

Mary Glynne

Mary Glynne

Mrs. Blake

Clare Greet

Clare Greet

Grandma

George Merritt

George Merritt

PC

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Marion Foster

Polly

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Donald Pittman

Gussy

John Singer

John Singer

Thesday

DIRECTOR

Milton Rosmer

OVERVIEW

Erich Kästner’s beloved novel has been adapted for film or television six times since its publication in 1929; this 1935 British version was the first in English. Believed lost for decades, it was recently rediscovered by the BFI and has now been restored. The film moves the action from Berlin to London, where Emil goes to stay with his grandmother and cousin. Thereafter, the tale of Emil’s adventures with a gang of streetwise London children faithfully follows the original plot.