BLOG ENTRY #5 --- SUPERNATURAL THEATER showcases----
the delightfully ridiculous MURDER MYSTERIES made in Germany.
They are based on old novels by EDGAR WALLACE written in the 20's & 30's.
Known in Germany as KRIMINALFILMS Aka. KRIMI's
Most starring JOACHIM FUCHSBERGER, HEINZ DRACHE
as our Scotland Yard heroes.
Costarring the lovely KARIN DOR,
and great character actors KLAUS KINSKI, and EDDI ARENT.
as our Scotland Yard heroes.
Costarring the lovely KARIN DOR,
and great character actors KLAUS KINSKI, and EDDI ARENT.
Also featured, many pretty German girls that can scream very loudly,
look fantastic in mini skirts, school girl outfits, and even vinyl Go-Go boots !!!
THANK YOU for reading SUPERNATURAL THEATER!!!
Readership from 106 COUNTRIES around the planet!!!
look fantastic in mini skirts, school girl outfits, and even vinyl Go-Go boots !!!
THANK YOU for reading SUPERNATURAL THEATER!!!
Readership from 106 COUNTRIES around the planet!!!
Just as the gun barrel logo became the popular opening of the 007 films in the 1960's, the Edgar Wallace series of films were not left out. Machine gun shots rang out, the bloody bullet holes appear, & the name spelled out. The soundtrack voiced --- "This is Edgar Wallace speaking".
R.I.P. Joachim Fuchsberger --- Died at 87 on September 11, 2014
Supernatural Theater's favorite Scotland Yard Inspector.
Supernatural Theater's favorite Scotland Yard Inspector.
Shots from The Zombie Walks (Hand of Power) & the Hunchback of Soho.
The over the top killer from The Zombie Walks (Hand of Power).
****
There were 36 of these movies made. I wrote about four of them here. Let's start with
THE COLLEGE GIRL MURDERS from 1967.
aka THE MONK AND THE WHIP
Starring JOACHIM FUCHSBERGER as Inspector Higgins,
USCHI GLAS, GRIT BOETTCHER, SIEGFRIED SCHUERENBERG, & ILSE PAGE.
Directed by Alfred Vohrer (the King of Krimi)
The coolest Music by Martin Bottcher
As a kid on school vacation, way back in 1965, I discovered late night New York television.
I was allowed to stay up as late as I wanted that week. Flipping the round dial to check out the vast selection of a whopping 7 channels on my small black & white screen, I found the Late Late Show, cheap Brooklyn car commercials, and Joe Franklin. If you stayed up to dawn,
you could watch the Modern Farmer before the test pattern came up, ending the broadcast day.
you could watch the Modern Farmer before the test pattern came up, ending the broadcast day.
TV was not 24 hours a day back then.
At 1 am. on ABC's Channel 7, the Best of Broadway showed murder mysteries.
I got hooked.
I got hooked.
The movies were made in Germany (not Broadway), with odd ball stories of London's Scotland Yard, filmed at German castles, with lots of fake atmospheric fog, really bizarre killers, and English horribly dubbed.
They were films based on novels by British writer Edgar Wallace, best known for that famous big ape King Kong. Wallace was very popular from 1905 to the 1930's writing about
175 novels. In the fifties, he gained popularity again in Europe.
A big series of films began in 1959 by Rialto films, which carried through to the early seventies. In the US, most went straight to late night TV starting in 1965 with many titles
released by Roberts & Barry TV releasing.
They were films based on novels by British writer Edgar Wallace, best known for that famous big ape King Kong. Wallace was very popular from 1905 to the 1930's writing about
175 novels. In the fifties, he gained popularity again in Europe.
A big series of films began in 1959 by Rialto films, which carried through to the early seventies. In the US, most went straight to late night TV starting in 1965 with many titles
released by Roberts & Barry TV releasing.
The Edgar Wallace Krimi (Criminal) films still have a worldwide cult following today.
These had strange titles, and even weirder plots to solve. The Terrible People, The Door With Seven Locks, or The Fellowship of The Frog were just some of them. Formula plots starting with a stylish murder, robbery, or some other crime would then have Scotland Yard send in a clever, handsome Inspector. Then throw in some weird characters, a pretty damsel in dress,
and a slew of red herrings. Finally, we were treated to a wild ending that would come before "The End" with the Inspector locking lips with the lovely lady.
and a slew of red herrings. Finally, we were treated to a wild ending that would come before "The End" with the Inspector locking lips with the lovely lady.
They were made on a low budget, but had a lot of style. Great atmosphere, original photography and lighting, and cool jazzy music were all part of the formula.
Many character actors were repeated adding to the strength of the series, m
making audiences come back for more.
making audiences come back for more.
A decade later, I was into collecting 16mm film prints of my favorite features, cartoons, & TV shows. This was long before Home Video ever started. I bought a package of 14 Wallace titles from a film dealer in Miami. Turns out they were the original prints I saw as a kid on
Channel 7 in the wee hours of the morning.
Channel 7 in the wee hours of the morning.
Déjà vu!
Thousands of film prints became available to collectors in the seventies, because the film companies emptied out warehouses that were full of films. They sold thousands as package purchases to film dealers, or they sold the films for scrap to recycle the minerals in the film base material. That was a shame, cause those prints ceased to exist.
Then at that time, color television sets became extremely popular and US home audiences wanted to see films in "full" color, not old Black & White movies.
So that was another reason that many titles bit the dust.
Then at that time, color television sets became extremely popular and US home audiences wanted to see films in "full" color, not old Black & White movies.
So that was another reason that many titles bit the dust.
About 70% of all films ever made have been destroyed.
Luckily film collectors helped to preserve films.
Starting in 1989, four video companies used my 16mm film prints to make the masters for VHS tapes, then through the years to DVD's, and now streaming.
The films were in the Public Domain, so I am very happy to say that well over 350 European feature titles I helped to preserve to be available on video.
The films were in the Public Domain, so I am very happy to say that well over 350 European feature titles I helped to preserve to be available on video.
(Euro trash, horror, Sci-fi, westerns, mysteries, & spy films)
Most were lost, destined never to be shown again.
Finally now, many years later, quality European DVD's of the Krimis are being sold
mastered from the original negatives of some of the titles. These compared to my old, well worn, lesser quality film prints.
mastered from the original negatives of some of the titles. These compared to my old, well worn, lesser quality film prints.
But back in the 80's & 90's the negatives were not available.
****
There were 36 of these movies made. I wrote about four of them here. Let's start with
THE COLLEGE GIRL MURDERS from 1967.
aka THE MONK AND THE WHIP
Starring JOACHIM FUCHSBERGER as Inspector Higgins,
USCHI GLAS, GRIT BOETTCHER, SIEGFRIED SCHUERENBERG, & ILSE PAGE.
Directed by Alfred Vohrer (the King of Krimi)
The coolest Music by Martin Bottcher
One of my favorites, The College Girl Murders. Original title, The Monk and The Whip. This movie sums up all that is great about the 1960's Wallace Krimis. Weird killers with 2 weapons of choice, poison or whips, cute girls with go-go boots, jazzy horn music, a bunch of strange suspects, and good ole Inspector Higgins of Scotland Yard to solve the case. One killer is a red hooded monk with a killer bullwhip. I mean how many movies have used this
as a plot device???
A monk with a whip???? Jazz trumpets blare when the whip is cracked. ---- Cool.
as a plot device???
A monk with a whip???? Jazz trumpets blare when the whip is cracked. ---- Cool.
Greedy & evil Dr. Kepler invents a new poison gas that odorless & immediate. He tests it on his loyal, but dumb assistant. The poison gas device is hidden inside a Bible,
or convenient to use gun.
or convenient to use gun.
Now, now I don't want to talk about gun control here, just ridiculous old movies.
Greedy Dr. Kepler gets his. The Monk in red appears. Kepler gets the whip as his reward.
Our story shifts to an all girls school, hence The College Girl Murders. Duh?
We see pretty, blonde college coed Pam Wallsbury. She gets a blast of gas from a church Bible and gets choked up in a church service. Bye, bye Pam.
Pretty brunette coed Ann Portland (played by popular & pretty Uschi Glas) is the real one the baddies are after. Turns out she will be filthy rich on her 21st birthday coming up.
And they want the dollars, I mean pounds.
We see pretty, blonde college coed Pam Wallsbury. She gets a blast of gas from a church Bible and gets choked up in a church service. Bye, bye Pam.
Pretty brunette coed Ann Portland (played by popular & pretty Uschi Glas) is the real one the baddies are after. Turns out she will be filthy rich on her 21st birthday coming up.
And they want the dollars, I mean pounds.
Scotland Yard's Inspector Higgins (our favorite Joachim Fuchsberger) questions
the young college girls. Who will be the next victim?
His superior Sir John (Siegfried Schuerenberg) promises to use his newly acquired knowledge of psychology to solve this murder. Higgins only believes in the facts!
And looking at pretty legs.
Sir John questions Ann Portland about goings on at the school.
Higgins gets slipped a note by one of the girls---- Come back at night!
At poolside, Betty with the 60's hair cap (played by Grit Boettcher) tells Ann that the killer monk is after her. She's right. Betty's gotta run from the whip!
Don't you just love that vinyl outfit and hip Go-Go boots?????
If I were Inspector Higgins, I wouldn't ever leave my office. Forget today's PC world.
I would love to have German hot legs, Ilse Page as my secretary!
Current convict Frank Keeney gets let out of prison,
to commit murder.
This time with the gas gun.
He wants to get a raise in pay from the unknown boss.
He's fooled.
It's just a dummy. Like him.
(Keeney is played by Siegfried Rauch, who also co-starred in
Patton in 1970).
Inspector Higgins then finds Keeney just hanging around his prison cell.
Guess Keeney didn't get the type of
"raise" he wanted.
Nahhhh, wrong!
He's just a dirty old man going after Betty.
Pretty Ann discovers Mr. Keyston dead under the pool from the peekaboo window.
Actually he's hanging around the maintenance room
Oh no! The monk's got pretty Ann Portland. Nahhh.
It's Higgins trying to confuse the real killer.
The headmaster, Harriet Foster (Tilly Lauenstein) confides her fear for the girls to Higgins.
Ann's police guard is gassed. Then Ann is kidnapped.
Gunter Meisner scaring unknowing rich girl Ann. How dare you Gunter.
Uschi Glas was a cute, pretty young star then, and still is a beautiful star in Germany today.
Meisner has a cult favorite role of Slugworth, giving out Golden Tickets in
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory from 1971.
This story throws out quite a few red herrings. --- Then has a snappy, whip 'em up ending!!!
One of the best of the Edgar Wallace series.
Now on DVD, mastered from a beautiful color negative.
Now on DVD, mastered from a beautiful color negative.
The 1960's beautifully preserved!
Next up at SUPERNATURAL THEATER,
the first Krimi I saw on TV back on late night TV in the 1960's-----
the first Krimi I saw on TV back on late night TV in the 1960's-----
THE TERRIBLE PEOPLE
aka HAND OF THE GALLOWS
Starring JOACHIM FUCHSBERGER,
KARIN DOR, DIETER EPPLER, & EDDI ARENT
Directed by Harald Reinl
Music by Heinz Funk (cool musician's name)
Germany---- 1960
Music by Heinz Funk (cool musician's name)
Germany---- 1960
Master criminal Clay Shelton finally gets caught in the act of robbery, and kills a bobby. Before he is hanged (yes, hanged) he vows that the Gallows Hand will avenge him.
He will kill the six people, listed below, that he blames for his arrest.
He will kill the six people, listed below, that he blames for his arrest.
An old enemy of Long's take a shot at him while driving along a country road.
After stopping, Long sees the Gallow's Hand, but it's the shooter, with a bullet in him.
The ghost of Shelton is busy already.
The Hangman of London's on the list. The Gallow's Hand hangs him!
Promoted after Shelton's arrest, Chief Inspector Long. Played by Joachim Fuchsberger.
Comic relief favorite, Eddi Arent plays a former children's animal photographer now hired to do police crime photos. He passes out after taking a pic of a corpse.
Comic relief favorite, Eddi Arent plays a former children's animal photographer now hired to do police crime photos. He passes out after taking a pic of a corpse.
When he awakes, Arent sees Shelton's ghost with the Gallows Hand!
The ghostly Shelton below. ----- Let the mayhem begin.
The ghostly Shelton below. ----- Let the mayhem begin.
Karin Kernke about to get the drop on Inspector Long. --- Flash!
Long realized she could have killed him with a photo flash going off.
(She also co-starred in the German horror film, The Head)
Character actor Dieter Eppler is not into tying up Karin Dor for fun.
He double crosses the Gallows Hand by letting her escape. Good boy, Dieter.
He double crosses the Gallows Hand by letting her escape. Good boy, Dieter.
Then he's tied up, killed as a traitor to the gang. Oooops.
The finale is a rousing one. Karin Dor kidnapped by Shelton's gang.
And Inspector Long to the rescue.
Then the unmasking of The Gallow's Hand. Shelton's ghost alive?
Can't guess those endings! Except for the big kiss.
Italian & German artwork below.
.
Original German artwork.
Not released in American theaters. Only TV in the mid 1960's.
Still being sold on DVD.
Most were mastered from the original 16mm film print from my collection.
THE RED CIRCLE
THE CRIMSON CIRCLE
or the pastel pink circle if you wish.
or the pastel pink circle if you wish.
Starring Karl Georg Saebisch, Renate Ewert, Thomas Alder,
Klausjurgen Wussow, & Eddi Arent
Directed by Jurgen Roland --- 1960
The Red Circle is the name of yet another master criminal that escaped being beheaded for his crimes in France by a well placed nail. He leads crime & murder in London years later. An old Scotland Yard Inspector Parr (Klausjurgen Wussow) uses unorthodox methods to chase him down, including using a beautiful criminal Thalia Drummond (Renate Ewert), and a genius private detective Derrick Yale (Karl Georg Saebisch).
Surprises right to the finale with characters that are not what they seem.
Surprises right to the finale with characters that are not what they seem.
Another Edgar Wallace video release in America, using a film print from my collection. Would love to see the DVD's made from the negatives from Germany.
Young vs. old! The ready for retirement Inspector Parr on his last case.
Scotland Yard wants young private eye Derrick Yale to assist.
The pretty thief Thalia Drummond skirts the law (pretty Renate Ewert).
But Inspector Parr has her all figured out.
She figures into the plot big time.
Lovely Lady Doringham's blackmailed by The Red Circle for her jewels.
She goes to Inspector Parr for help. Her fatal error.
The Red Circle strikes again.
Always having his eyes on the ladies, the ever popular Eddi Arent provides the comic relief like in many other Edgar Wallace's through the years.
Fritz Rasp comes back from the dead to get the draw on The Red Circle.
One odd and sad fact after the original release years ago. Both actors, lovely Renate Ewert, and Thomas Alder pictured together here, both committed suicide at different times.
SUPERNATURAL THEATER WANTS YOU TO SEE THESE EDGAR WALLACE'S TOO!!!
The Green Archer from 1960.
Easy to figure out what the killer's favorite weapon is.
Starred Karin Dor, & Gert Frobe.
Frobe's best known as 1964's Goldfinger. He was a star in German films long before his 007.
Dr. Mabuse fans know him as Inspector Lohman.
Starred Karin Dor, & Gert Frobe.
Frobe's best known as 1964's Goldfinger. He was a star in German films long before his 007.
Dr. Mabuse fans know him as Inspector Lohman.
Poor Karin Dor. --- She's bothered by either a tall white dog, or a tall Green Archer!
Joachim Fuchsberger as the Scotland Yard Inspector, or good guy in disguise as a baddie.
few Inspectors too.
The always lovely Karin Dor played the damsel in distress, that became the love interest.
Karin's worldwide fame was in 007's You Only Live Twice as Helga Brandt. One sexy bad girl!
007 loved her.
Then she was loved by piranhas.......
for lunch!
THE INN ON THE RIVER (THAMES)
Starring Joachim Fuchsberger,
Brigitte Grothum, Eddi Arent, and Klaus Kinski
Directed by Alfred Vohrer --- 1962
The Inn on the River (Thames) with Inspector Wade of the River Police after master robber/killer known as "The Shark". He uses a harpoon gun to get rid of his victims.
The Inspector wants to save the poor, very young working girl (Brigitte Grothum) who turns out to be a wealthy heiress by the end.
There's many twists in the story and dancing twists in the bar.
The Inspector wants to save the poor, very young working girl (Brigitte Grothum) who turns out to be a wealthy heiress by the end.
There's many twists in the story and dancing twists in the bar.
Popular character actor Klaus Kinski plays a seedy criminal, but really is an agent for Inspector Wade. Kinski made over 400 films in his great career playing every strange character you could think of. Kinski worked for Werner Hertzog, Jesus Franco, & Sergio Leone too.
Kinski's known for great death scenes. This one under the Thames.
Comic character Barnaby (Eddi Arent) doing the twist. A bar show stopper.
The dopey river police officers arrest poor Barnaby, that they think is The Shark.
Inspector Wade almost gets the point from the elusive "Shark". This was another of my first package of films used for video.
*****
Ady Berber, played demented killers in many Edgar Wallace's. This one called the Dead Eyes of London, from 1961. He owned a bar in Germany for years. Apparently he was a
friendly bartender.
friendly bartender.
Italian Poster for Jesus Franco's Devil Came from Akasava, and a publicity shot for The Forger of London. Starring Helmuth Lange and the always beautiful Karin Dor.
Below, one excited Sophie Hardy & hero Joachim Fuchsberger in The Mysterious Magician.
Submarines & Sexy topless secretaries (Ann Savo) in The Mysterious Magician, below.
I just love this X-Ray shot from Hand of Power (Zombie Walks).
Oh no, the Yellow Peril! That kept many a mystery plot going back in the early 1900's.
Here evil asians against Fuchsberger in The Curse of the Yellow Snake from 1963.
Here evil asians against Fuchsberger in The Curse of the Yellow Snake from 1963.
Hi jinks at the horse track for the Racetrack Murders.
The always weird and lovable Klaus Kinski in The Squeaker.
If you have been a bad girl.... watch out! --- From 1968's The Hunchback of Soho.
Below that, Gunther Stoll as a Scotland Yard man from Soho also.
Below that, Gunther Stoll as a Scotland Yard man from Soho also.
Puzzle of the Red Orchid with the lovely Marisa Mell. ---- Above, Room 13.
Above the French poster for the Black Abbot, and shots below from the Forger of London.
German artwork from the Black Abbot, and Diana Korner & Harald Leipnitz after the
Creature With the Blue Hand.
You can't have a Krimi without a spooky castle !!! This one in The Black Abbot.
The first German Edgar Wallace film from 1959, called The Fellowship of the Frog.
And a Sunbeam sports car attack in The Strange Countess, from 1963
And a Sunbeam sports car attack in The Strange Countess, from 1963
Horst Tappert and Gunther Stoll as the Inspectors after the bad guys.
Be sure to READ BLOG #14 for THE DOOR WITH SEVEN LOCKS, and THE AVENGER,
starring Heinz Drache as the ever clever detective.
starring Heinz Drache as the ever clever detective.
Read Blog #13 for 2 Bryan Edgar Wallace Krimi's --- The STRANGLER OF BLACKMOOR CASTLE, and The SECRET OF THE BLACK TRUNK! Both with Karin Dor.
Yes, Bryan is the talented son of Edgar Wallace.
THANKS FOR READING
A BIG HELLO GOES OUT TO ALL MY READERS FROM -----
SUPERNATURAL THEATER!
MY BLOG IS NOW READ FROM PEOPLE IN 108 COUNTRIES!
How cool is that???? I am amazed! It took a year.
People that love weird and obscure flicks are from all over the world!
Forget politics and politicians. Let's talk about old, corny movies !!!
People that love weird and obscure flicks are from all over the world!
Forget politics and politicians. Let's talk about old, corny movies !!!
A BIG HELLO GOES OUT TO ALL MY READERS FROM -----
Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela,
and Vietnam.
and Vietnam.
EMAIL ADDRESS ----- Supernaturaltheater@yahoo.com
for comments, compliments, insults, profanities, questions, or what evers.
for comments, compliments, insults, profanities, questions, or what evers.
YOU CAN READ MY OTHER BLOG ENTRIES IN THE ARCHIVE (to the right).
THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN A GOOD 'OLE EDGAR WALLACE MYSTERY!!!
You can read them too! Many titles are on Kindle in multiple languages. Most are free.
Plus don't forget books. --- You know those old things with ink & paper.
You can also find here at SUPERNATURAL THEATER ---
BLOG ENTRY #20 --- Anthony Dawson's HORROR CASTLE and CASTLE OF BLOOD.
SEE YOU NEXT TIME!