Heidi and Peter
(aka HEIDI UND PETER)
English-Language Versions:
With: Heinrich Gretler (Alm-Uncle), Elsbeth Sigmund (Heidi), Thomas Klameth (Goatherd Peter), Emil Hegetschweiler (Teacher), Willy Birgel (Herr Sesemann), Traute Carlsen (Klara's grandmother), Anita Mey (Fraulein Rottenmeyer), Theo Lingen (Sebastian), Isa Günther (Klara Sesemann), Carl Wery (Dr. Classen), Margrit Rainer (Peter's mother), Fred Tanner (the Parson)
***
Sadly, this sequel to Luigi Comencini's exemplary HEIDI (1952) seems to be among the missing, at least in its English-Language version. All we have been able to locate are some lobby cards, a poster and the 35mm trailer. (We also located a 16mm rental print, but the rental fee was prohibitively expensive, essentially rendering the film unavailable for general viewing.)
From the trailer, HEIDI & PETER appears to be an exciting, well-mounted sequel, with several "big" scenes:
* Heidi, Peter and Grandfather go to a village festival, likely in Dorfli, where they play at shooting practice. There also appears to be a marching band, livestock contest, a maypole dance, and a flag-waving competition.
* Heidi and Peter build a house together!
* Heidi finally attends school, gayly joining in a singalong with her classmates.
* Heidi and Peter practice reading together.
* Heidi and Peter have a yodeling contest.
* Klara comes to visit Heidi, appearing a good deal older, a tall and poised young teen.
* Heidi, Peter and Klara climb up the mountain, but get caught in a torrential rain, which floods the area and washes out bridges. Klara is trapped, and Grandfather must come and rescue her.
* Peter sends Klara's wheelchair sailing off a cliff, celebrating Klara's complete physical recovery.
HEIDI & PETER was released in the U.S. by United Artists in 1956, by Paramount Family Matinees in 1975, and likely also somewhere in the 1960's. It sure looks like fun; we sincerely hope that the current rights-owner releases it on DVD, as it would surely be a hit.
Video/DVD availability: VHS (unavailable)
Heidi and Clara comfort each other during a long night.
Clara joins Heidi and Peter on the beautiful mountaintop.
Peter's mother consoles Heidi.
Grandfather prepares Peter for corporal punishment!
(1955, Switzerland) color 95 minutes
Praesens-Film AG
Story: Johanna Spyri (from her novel)
Screenplay: Max Haufler, Paul Ruffy, Richard Schweizer, David Wechsler
Music: Robert Blum
Cinematography: Emil Berna
Directed by Franz Schnyder
(1956) United Artists
(1975) Paramount Family Matinees
Posters for the original U.S. release of HEIDI AND PETER (1956), and for the 1975 re-release.
