Basically nice but simple comedy material gets the usual Georg Jacoby treatment; so, a less than satisfactory film results, that - despite Jacoby's poor direction - still manages to entertain due mainly to the fine cast that keeps the thing moving. The Heimat sentiments are kept in check, and the cast includes my favourite daughter-type of the 50's: charming Angelika Meissner, who keeps asking whether it is true that "in Amerika" women already marry at 15.
The film is also interesting for is preoccupation and fascination with all things modern (American) within the traditional German Heimat. There is an American nephew visiting the Rheinland only to marry a fresh, young German girl; toned down jazz music is played by a band that is also invited to the traditional feast; one of the females is an abstract painter and her work is made fun off, but when the old hotel must be saved she is one of the main agents in this. These are just a few examples of what may be considered an attempt at synthesis of tradition and progress or even the "message" that German Heimat traditions could only be saved if modern conceptions were adapted into it.
