The Temporary Widow

The Temporary Widow is a 1930 British-German comedy film by the Austrian director Gustav Ucicky, starring Laurence Olivier in his first film role, Lilian Harvey and Athole Stewart.

Kitty Kellermann is put on trial for murdering her husband, a failed painter. When her counsel resigns from his mandate, the mysterious Peter Bille steps in, though it becomes apparent that he actually is not an advocate but Kitty's lover and moreover confesses the murder. The widow has to admit that the pictures by her deceased spouse sell much better, only for him to suddenly appear alive.

The film was based on the play Hokuspokus written by Curt Goetz. A German language version Hokuspokus was made at the same time. After the war, director Kurt Hoffmann filmed two further versions in 1953 (starring Curt Goetz himself) and in 1966.