No one knows why the Germans are obsessed with watching a 1963 short comedic film called "
I observed it first hand last year in
Starring
Why do half of Germans watch this movie every year, gleefully reciting lines as they happen?
The group I was with could not have a good answer.
WSJ's Todd Buell recently offered some speculation:
A short chat with German colleagues revealed a variety of reasons: it debuted in Germany in a time when items from the English-speaking world were very popular. Also the English dialogue is so simple that it allows even those with limited English skills to understand what's going on.
Another colleague pointed out that Germans' affinity for the show is linked to a nostalgic longing for a more secure past. The "same procedure" means, obviously, that nothing will change as James stumbles and spills, Germany can remember an allegedly happier and simpler time. The action is also so at odds with "normal" German activity that it gives people an escape valve from everyday life, said another co-worker.
"Dinner For One" has become popular in other northern European countries and various parts of the world, becoming the most frequently repeated TV show ever despite not being broadcast in the U.K. or the U.S.
The film has also generated some controversy regarding the butler's heavy drinking, leading to censored cuts in some areas. I would not be surprised if someone has turned the original into a drinking game.
Here is a version of this strange and wonderful movie:
Germans Are Bizarrely Obsessed With This Old British Short Film On New Year's Eve
Gus Lubin
READ MORE ARTICLES ON
Popular Right Now
Advertisement