The story was made by Russian writers Ilya Ilf and Yevgeni Petrov. "Treze cadeiras" or Thirteen chairs is one version of the story "Dvenadtsat stulyev". The German director Franz Eichhorn has created very interesting situations. Bonifacio Boaventura, a barber from a small town, looks for the inheritance left by his aunt Barbara in Rio de Janeiro. Instead of money or any valuable legacy, he receives only thirteen chairs. The movie is about what happened to these chairs. Three big actors of Brazilian movies of 50's, Oscarito, Ze Trindade and Renata Fronzi have made a nice job and act very well.
There are several versions of this funny novel. The first was made in Czechoslovakia and Poland in 1933, "Dvanáct kresel". In 1938, a new version, "13 Stühle", by Austrian director E.W. Emo. In 1945 it was made an American version called "It's in the Bag!". In 1954, a Swedish edition: "Sju svarta be-hå", by Gösta Bernhard.
In 1962, four years after "Treze cadeiras", the Cuban director made "Las Doce sillas". In 1970, a Mel Brooks' version called "The twelve chairs". Finally, the "12 stulyev" by Russian director Leonid Gaidai, which is considered the best version made until today.
"Treze cadeiras" is also relevant because reveals the pure humor of Brazilian movies of the 50's.
