Der 90. Geburtstag oder Dinner for One

TV Short
1963
Not Rated
18m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Freddie Frinton and May Warden in Der 90. Geburtstag oder Dinner for One (1963)

Farce High-Concept Comedy Holiday Comedy Sketch Comedy Slapstick Comedy Holiday Short

At Miss Sophie's 90th birthday dinner, her butler James must fill in for her four departed friends - and that includes lots of drinks before every course.At Miss Sophie's 90th birthday dinner, her butler James must fill in for her four departed friends - and that includes lots of drinks before every course.At Miss Sophie's 90th birthday dinner, her butler James must fill in for her four departed friends - and that includes lots of drinks before every course.

Directors
- Heinz Dunkhase
- Franco Marazzi
Writers
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

8.4K

YOUR RATING

Directors
- Heinz Dunkhase
- Franco Marazzi
Writers
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

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9:57

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
At first, the program was only used as a filler on German TV. It was shown four times between 1963 and 1972 before it finally got its now famous regular airing on New Years Eve in 1972. It is so popular in Germany that it is shown multiple times on New Years Eve so that everybody can watch it, when it best fits their schedule. In 2003 it aired a total of 19 times on different stations in Germany.

Goofs
After James burps, Miss Sophie takes hold of her chair's armrests probably in anticipation of James almost tipping her chair backwards.

Quotes
[last lines]
James: By the way... Same procedure as last year, Miss Sophie?
Miss Sophie: Same procedure as every year, James.
James: [hesitates] Well, I'll do my very best!
[They rush up the stairs to the bedroom]

Alternate versions
Several versions of this sketch were recorded/broadcast or released on DVD/video:
the original B&W version with an audience as produced by Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) in 1963. 18 minutes
a changed B&W version where an english spelling error in the intro narration was digitally removed. Shown on German TV since the end of the 90s.
a changed B&W version without the audience sound. Shown by Danish TV who also omit the introductory narration, bringing the sketch to a 14 minutes runtime
a computer colorized version produced by the NDR in 1999. Due to massive protest from fans this version is almost never shown
an alternative B&W version as produced by Swiss TV. This version has no intro narration and misses some gags. This version can be recognized by the much simpler set decoration (no table cloth, smaller/simpler pictures on the walls, much smaller stairs). Released on DVD in Germany. Runtime 11 minutes. Has been shown on Swiss television since 1989 on New Years Eve.

Connections
Featured in Das Superweib (1996)

Soundtracks
Sugartime
(uncredited)
Written by Charlie Phillips and Odis 'Pop' Echols
Performed by Freddie Frinton

User reviews47

Featured review

Brilliant. The funniest 15 minutes you will ever see.

It has always astonished me that it is the Germans, not noted for their international sense of humour,who have kept this quite wonderful skit alive. Danke Deutschland! It is superb. 10 out of 10 any day. However beware, there is a video /dvd about that claims to come from Switzerland that is cut to ribbons - only 11 minutes (out of the original 18) and is of quite dreadful quality. Avoid this like the plague. Catch it on your TV at Christmas if you can. You get the full works and the very good introduction by Herr Piper. We even get it here in Australia now. It is a real gem.