Another Event of Note – German-American Cultural Center

With this, the seventh-year-in-a-row presentation of the film, “Die Feuerzangenbowle,” at the Sacramento Turn Verein, we have a bit of a mystery on our hands.
Area Sacramentans just keep coming to watch this film (with English subtitles). The film itself was produced 68 years ago! We suppose people keep coming because they like to laugh, or maybe it's because they like the “burnt punch,” that famous German drink called the Feuerzangenbowle? (By the way, the punch isn't burnt; rather it's the Zuckerhut that burns – see below).
The film stars a favorite German actor of the 1940s, Heinz Rühmann, playing the role of a university professor with a doctorate degree. When he and his friends, all in their 60s and 70s, get together to indulge in the body-warming Feuerzangenbowle drink, they get carried away by telling stories of their school years, remembering all the nasty tricks they played on their teachers when they were students.
One of these fellows, Hans Pfeiffer (played by Rühmann), had a private tutor when he was growing up, and so he never attended a real school, and thus he never had the chance to play all those wonderful tricks on his teachers. So he dreams of disguising himself as a student, going back to school, and becoming the boldest of them all when it comes to making trouble for teachers. And that's when the movie's fun begins.
In Germany today, “Die Feuerzangenbowle” is a cult film among university students. Before our movie starts, we'll tell you about the antics that today's students engage in as they watch the film.
About halfway through the film, we'll pause so that you can enjoy both the visual delight and the taste of the glowing and steaming Feuerzangenbowle.
There will be six punch bowls (Feuerzangenbowle) placed around the room. The “punch” is hot mulled wine, above which is supported, by tongs (Zangen), a “Zuckerhut” or “sugar loaf/cone.” Rum is poured over these cones, which are then ignited. The hot sugar then slowly drips into the mulled wine. It's a memorable sight – all six punch-bowls glowing with a blue light!
The punch will be served at half-time. Then we'll return to our seats to watch the remainder of the film.
It will be fun. Join us!

The details:
What: The showing of the film, Der Feuerzangenbowle (with English subtitles)
When: Friday, January 20, 2012, arrival at 7:00 p.m., film starts promptly at 7:30 p.m.
Where: In the Main Hall of the Sacramento Turn Verein, at 3349 J Street
Admission: $15.00, which includes refreshments and the Feuerzangenbowle drink, with seconds if you like. (Other beverages will be available for purchase. No alcoholic drinks will be served to minors. A non-alcoholic drink will be available, however, one that appears similar to the alcoholic one.)
The famous punch: Warmed and spiced red wine, into which sugar drips from a Zuckerhut (sugar loaf) soaked in rum, and set alight – making a beautiful blue-flame light, especially when the lights are turned down. (You'll see!)
Sponsored by: The German-American Cultural Center – Library, of the Sacramento Turn Verein.
Posted by Ron Setzer