We associate several now cult fairy tales and films with the Christmas holidays. We often know the messages and dialogues from them by heart, but less well known are the problems that accompanied the filming. brushed up interesting facts about the cult comedy The Baker Emperor and the Baker Emperor (1951).
In 2025, 120 years have passed since the birth of the actor, comedian, playwright, writer and screenwriter Jan Werich, who liked to say that “laughter is a feast for the face”. Werich became a phenomenon of intelligent and witty humor. He was among the most important representatives of the interwar theater and film avant-garde and was a leading figure of the Prague Osvobožené theater.
Werich’s unforgettable film roles include the main double role in the comedy The Emperor’s Baker and The Baker’s Emperor. Many fans don’t know about it, but filming was accompanied by extraordinary complications. Martin Frič replaced Jiří Krejčík in the director’s chair, who did not agree with Werich. There were also changes in a large part of the cast.
In the original version, Kelly was played by Karel Höger, but he used a break in filming when Werich was injured during the bathroom scene and left the project. His costume was worn by Jiří Plachý, who was originally supposed to play King Matthias’s envoy. After the change of director, Werich put his favorite František Černý in the role of the alchemist Scott. Saša Rashilov was originally supposed to portray the character.
Krejčík’s favorite Irena Kačírková also dropped out of the film. Sirael was finally portrayed by Nataša Gollová. Actor Jan Pivec refused the offer to play Marshal Rusworm. The second adept was Zdeněk Štěpánek, who on the other hand nodded in agreement.
Another unforgettable Werich role is the role of the king in the immortal fairy tale Once Upon a King (1955). He received several awards for his lifelong artistic work, among them the State Prize (1952), the Golden Crocodile (1967) and the Medal for Merit II. degree in memoriam (1995). The artist Jan Werich died after a serious illness on October 31, 1980 in Prague at the age of 75.
