To New Shores / La Habanera

To New Shores (1937)

He may be billed under his real name of Detlef Sierck, but film buffs will recognize this German melodrama as an early work by Douglas Sirk, who skillfully helms a story of a 19th-century London cabaret singer (Zarah Leander) deported to prison in Australia. Her crime? Taking the blame when her lover bounces checks. With Willy Birgel, Edwin Juergenssen. 102 min. In German with English subtitles. BW/Rtg: NR

La Habanera (1937)

Douglas Sirk (billed under his real name of "Detlef Sierck") directed this romantic drama starring Zarah Leander as a Swedish woman who travels to Puerto Rico and falls in love with aristocrat cad Ferdinand Marian. They marry, but Marian ignores her after she gives birth to a son. Ten years later, Leander’s ex-boyfriend, Swedish doctor Karl Martell, arrives on the island to help with an outbreak of fever, causing problems for her jealous husband. 97 min. In German with English subtitles. BW/Rtg: NR

Standard; Soundtrack: German; Subtitles: English; audio commentary.