The Bird Seller (1953 film)

The Bird Seller, also known as Der Vogelhändler, is a 1953 West German operetta film directed by Géza von Cziffra. It is based on the popular operetta Der Vogelhändler by Carl Zeller, with a libretto by Moritz West and Ludwig Held.

The film is a romantic comedy revolving around the charming bird seller Adam, played by Germaine Damar, and his sweetheart Christel, played by Gerhard Riedmann. The story takes place in the Rhineland and involves mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and political intrigue. Other notable cast members include Ilse Werner and Eva Ingeborg Scholz.

The film adaptation incorporates musical numbers from the operetta, featuring performances of well-known arias and ensembles. While the plot generally follows the operetta's narrative, some adaptations and comedic elements were added for cinematic appeal. It's a light-hearted production characteristic of German entertainment cinema of the 1950s.