Tran and Helle
Encyclopedia
Tran and Helle were a comedy duo of the Third Reich era, played by Ludwig Schmitz (Tran) and Jupp Hussels (Helle). From September 1939 the pair appeared in a number of weekly 2-3 minute short films, which usually accompanied Die Deutsche Wochenschau
newsreels or feature films screened in cinema.
Tran was a bald, conniving and dim-witted character whose frequent transgressions would run counter to the German war effort or security. In different episodes Tran would listen to the BBC
, refuse to donate his accumulated kitsch
scrap metal or engage in black market activities. His friend Helle - taller, handsome and appearing to be more considered in judgement, served as the foil who would ultimately show his fellow Rhinelander
the error of his ways. While Jews were portrayed as untrustworthy, the series lacked the heavy handed anti-semitism found in other German film productions.
Tran and Helle's shorts were discontinued in the fall of 1940, possibly due to the authorities becoming concerned that audiences could sympathise with the wrong-footed but essentially human Tran, who would on occasions utter ideas contrary to the Nazi regime.
Die Deutsche Wochenschau
Die Deutsche Wochenschau is a series of German newsreels from 1940 until the end of World War II.After the invasion of Poland , the Nazis consolidated four separate newsreel production efforts into one...
newsreels or feature films screened in cinema.
Tran was a bald, conniving and dim-witted character whose frequent transgressions would run counter to the German war effort or security. In different episodes Tran would listen to the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, refuse to donate his accumulated kitsch
Kitsch
Kitsch is a form of art that is considered an inferior, tasteless copy of an extant style of art or a worthless imitation of art of recognized value. The concept is associated with the deliberate use of elements that may be thought of as cultural icons while making cheap mass-produced objects that...
scrap metal or engage in black market activities. His friend Helle - taller, handsome and appearing to be more considered in judgement, served as the foil who would ultimately show his fellow Rhinelander
Rhinelander
Rhinelander can refer to:*A person from Rhineland, Germany*Rhinelander, Wisconsin, a city in the United States*Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport, an airport that serves Rhinelander, Wisconsin, USA...
the error of his ways. While Jews were portrayed as untrustworthy, the series lacked the heavy handed anti-semitism found in other German film productions.
Tran and Helle's shorts were discontinued in the fall of 1940, possibly due to the authorities becoming concerned that audiences could sympathise with the wrong-footed but essentially human Tran, who would on occasions utter ideas contrary to the Nazi regime.
See also
- Feindbücher episode (Youtube video)
- Hamsterfragen episode (Youtube video)