The Tender Relatives

Mr. and Mrs. Linsemann have been happily married for a year. In their chic home, a modern villa financed by a loan and not yet fully paid off, the lady of the house intends to throw a big one-year anniversary party to please her husband. For this reason, she invites all his relatives to a large party, including her wealthy Uncle Adolf, from whom she hopes for a substantial financial boost to help pay off the loan. But this bash soon turns into a disaster, because the guests are quite a handful: there's dear, well-behaved Uncle Emil, who was always under the thumb of his rather unpleasant brother Adolf; the Webers with their teenage son; Cousin Wilhelm and his wife; and Mr. and Mrs. Stempel. A musician, a nanny, and a singer are also in attendance.

Directed by Richard Oswald, The Tender Relatives leans on a strong ensemble — Harald Paulsen, Felix Bressart, Ralph Arthur Roberts — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1930.