Hyppolit, the Butler (1931)

Hyppolit, the Butler (Hungarian: Hyppolit, a lakáj) is a 1931 black-and-white Hungarian film comedy of manners. It was one of the earliest full sound films produced there.

In 2000, Hungarian film critics chose it as one of the twelve best films of Hungary.

It was remade in 1999 as Hippolyt, a lakáj (with the y and the i interchanged).

The screenplay was written by prolific Hungarian screenwriter Károly Nóti AKA Karl Noti, based on a stage play by István Zágon. It was directed by Székely István AKA Steve Sekely, who earlier worked in Germany and later worked in Hollywood and Great Britain. The music was composed by Mihály Eisemann.

Synopsis

Mátyás Schneider (Gyula Kabos) is a transportation entrepreneur who has become rich quickly. Despite their humble origins, his wife (Mici Haraszti) strives to live a 'sophisticated' and 'aristocratic' lifestyle. When she engages a butler, Hyppolit (Gyula Csortos), who has served in the household of a count for 27 years, their whole life is turned upside down: Schneider has to shave off his mustache, wear a dinner suit for dinner and eat French food instead of his beloved onions and roasted goose, while his wife is bullied by the butler into engaging in gymnastics and a rather meagre diet.

Actors