No. 8 - Jahresausgabe 2021, St. Anton & Stuben

The Black Lightning (1958)
Cabinetmaker and casanova Michael Kirchner is the top
skier in his home village St. Florian. A year after first flirting
with her, he meets Uschi, a ski maker’s daughter, again. At
the same time he tries to conquer hotel secretary Gretl. On
the slopes Michael, who wants to qualify for the national
team, finds a competitor in former ski star Herbert Thanner,
whose home-made special wax he is said to have stolen. In
the end all is well and Michael wins the big ski race. A Happy
End that truly impressed viewers and made St. Anton a
pilgrimage site for lovers of the sport – also thanks to the
commitment of three-time Olympic Champion in Cortina
d’Ampezzo 1956, the “Black Lightning” himself, Toni Sailer.
The Double Man (1967)
It makes you wonder: did James Bond director Sam Mendes
find his inspiration for sending Daniel Craig down icy slopes
in this film?! The spy thriller by director Franklin J. Schaffner
sends CIA agent Dan Slater to St. Anton, to attend his
son’s funeral after a deadly accident in the Alps. He investigates
his son’s death and finds out he was murdered. Hints
conveniently provided by the attractive Gina make him
think he might be on the right track to discover the killers –
not knowing that he’s doing exactly what he was expected
to and thus falls into the trap that was set for him. The film
was shot on both sides of the Arlberg and depicts the early
forms of mass ski-tourism.
Other movies that were filmed in St. Anton:
Downhill Racer (1969)
Chalet Girl (2011)
Das Wunder des Schneeschuh (The Snow Shoe Miracle / 1919)
42
Der große Sprung (The Big Jump / 1927)