The Harmonists is a fascinating movie. Set in Berlin during the late 20s, the story bristles with the playfulness of a culture very much like that of New York during the same period. Harry fills his sextet from newspaper ads, arranges songs for five-part harmony, and secures a date for their public debut. The ebullient singers, mixing humor with song, open to a wildly enthusiastic audience, go on tour, and become one of the first singing groups to become a national sensation. For six years, the Harmonists enjoy their burgeoning success while playing out individual domestic dramas on the side.
Life is good.
Engulfed in euphoria, they ignore the anti-Semitic signals they don't want to see. Three of the six are Jewish. Staunch in the belief that their success will insulate them from the new persecution, they visit the U.S., where they sing to the U.S. fleet gathered in New York Harbor. They hear anti-Nazi catcalls, but cling to the comfort of their lives in Berlin. Overruling Harry's argument that it is dangerous to go home, the majority decides to return.