Dance on the Volcano

Dance on the Volcano (German: Tanz auf dem Vulkan) is a 1938 German historical musical comedy film directed by Hans Steinhoff and starring Gustaf Gründgens, Sybille Schmitz and Ralph Arthur Roberts. It was shot at the Johannisthal Studios in Berlin. The film's sets were designed by the art director Rochus Gliese. A light-hearted costume film, the production was a significant departure for both its director, best known for his Nazi-supporting propaganda films, and its star Gründgens, celebrated as a classical actor.

It made significant changes to the historical story, including turning Jean-Gaspard Deburau from a mime into a singer. Gründgens was unhappy with his performance, while both Adolf Hitler and the Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels were critical of the production. This had led to some sources mistakenly suggesting it was either banned or had its release delayed for several years. In fact, the film was given an immediatate release and appears to have been popular with contemporary audiences.

Synopsis
In Paris in 1830, the popular singer Jean-Gaspard Deburau performs in front of large crowds Théâtre des Funambules every evening. In the day he secretly write satirical ballads against the reactionary reign of Charles X. When both men compete for the romantic affections of Countess Cambouilly, Debureau begins to openly sing his attacks on the monarch. He is sentenced to death, but is rescued on the steps of the guillotine when the people of Paris rise up and overthrow the King, driving him from the country and placing his cousin Louis Phillipe on the throne.

Cast

 * Gustaf Gründgens as 	Komödiant Debureau
 * Sybille Schmitz as 	Gräfin Heloise Cambouilly
 * Ralph Arthur Roberts as 	König Karl X.
 * Theo Lingen as 	Graf Cambouilly
 * Gisela Uhlen as 	Schauspielerin Angèle Destouches
 * Hilde Hildebrand as	Gräfin X
 * Hans Leibelt as Prinz Louis Philippe
 * Will Dohm as 	Theaterdirektor Pomponille
 * Gretl Theimer as 	Schirmverkäuferin
 * Paul Bildt as 	Mönch
 * Walter Werner as 	Debureaus Freund Maurac
 * Daisy Spies as Bühnentänzerin
 * Franz Nicklisch as 	Debureaus Freund Larbaud
 * Erich Ziegel as 	Fürst Sulluc
 * Elsa Wagner as 	Pauline Pomponille
 * Wolf Trutz as 	Schauspieler Renard
 * Franz Weber as 	Gardobier Gaston
 * Fred Becker as 	Solotänzer
 * Eduard Bornträger as 	Königsfreundlicher Pariser Bürger
 * Egon Brosig as 	Flugblattlesender Pariser Bürger
 * Curt Cappi as 	Theaterportier
 * Ernst Dernburg as Baron am Königshof
 * Jac Diehl as Soldat
 * Robert Dorsay as 	Theaterintendant
 * Erich Dunskus as 	Gefängniswärter
 * Max Ernst as 	Theaterarbeiter / Pariser Bürger
 * Doris Krüger as 	Tochter des Gastwirts
 * Fred Köster as 	Lakai bei Graf Cambouilly
 * Ernst Legal as 	Dr. Thibaud
 * Karl Meixner as 	Aufwiegler
 * Luise Morland as 	Theaterbesucherin
 * Hadrian Maria Netto as 	Polizeipräfekt Gravon
 * Karl Platen as Prinz Louis Philippes Diener Theodor
 * Ernst Albert Schaach as 	Lakai beim Ball
 * Hans Schneeberger as 	Adjutant des Königs
 * S.O. Schoening as 	Theaterbesucher
 * Werner Schott as 	Soldat
 * Heinrich Schroth as Prinz Louis Philippes Vertrauter
 * Willi Schur as Plakatkleber
 * Werner Segtrop as 	Hausmeister Georgieff
 * Werner Stock as 	Theaterangestellter
 * Heinz Wemper as 	Henkersknecht
 * Max Wilmsen as Theaterbesucher
 * Bruno Ziener as Logenschließer