The silver spider
 (orig. Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators in The Mystery of the Silver Spider ) |
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| Radio play from Germany | |
| publication | 1981 |
| genre | Youth series / crime thriller |
| Duration | 41 min |
| Publisher / label | Europe |
| Contributors | |
| author | Robert Arthur |
| Machining | HG Francis |
| Director | Heikedine Körting |
| music | Bert Brac |
| speaker | |
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The three ??? and the silver spider is the title of an episode of the book and radio play series The Three ???
content
The content of the German translation differs significantly from the American original. The setting has changed, which has resulted in a number of other changes.
Content (original edition)
After the king dies, Prince Djaro is set to become king in the fictional European country of Varania, a country that is still very attached to old traditions and regulations. Jupiter, Peter and Bob meet Djaro on his trip through the USA and become friends with him. However, a short time later they find out from Bert Young, an agent of the US State Department, that Djaro's succession to the throne is not looking as good as it seems. Temporary King Duke Stefan , who rules until Djaro can accede to the throne, appears to be behind a conspiracy against Djaro.
When the young detectives travel to Varania to help Djaro, they are blamed for stealing the silver spider, the country's ideological and therefore very important national treasure. They have to flee and discover their innocence. They meet Rudy and Elena, two friends of Djaro and members of a group whose history is closely linked to the silver spider and the royal family. With which they can escape Duke Stefan and even due to a historical legend, the revolution in the country proclaim in order to help Djaro to his rightful throne. For their help, the three detectives are made honorary citizens of Varania and knights of the country.
Content (German edition)
After his father dies, Lars Holmqvist is said to be the heir to the fictional Magnus works in Magnusstad, a small Swedish colony in Texas , which is mostly inhabited by employees of the works. In Magnusstad, old traditions and regulations that come from Sweden still play a major role. Justus, Peter and Bob meet Lars on his trip through the USA and become friends with him. He later invites her to attend his appointment as managing director. However, a short time later they found out from Lars' lawyer Dr. Björklund that Lars' legacy is not looking as good as it seems. The temporary managing director until Lars can take over the inheritance, Staffan Forsberg seems to be behind a conspiracy against Lars.
When the boys travel to Magnusstad to help Lars, they are blamed for stealing the silver spider, which is very important for the city, and also accused of industrial espionage. They have to flee and discover their innocence. They meet Bengt and Britta, two friends of Lars, who belong to a secret association behind Lars, the Spelmansförbund. When the security department has cornered them more and more, Justus, Peter and Bob and their helpers finally flee to the town's church. There they ring the historically significant Magnus bell, which, according to legend, was struck as a warning sign in times of need. As a result, many residents of the city become aware of the events and turn against Forsberg, whose power then collapses. After the three detectives have successfully solved the case, they each receive a replica of the silver spider from Lars and also become honorary citizens of Magnusstad.
criticism
Individual reviews were rather average, a frequent point of criticism was the lack of atmosphere , which does not build up because the reader cannot imagine anything under the fictional colony and the somewhat exaggerated story. Titus from Rocky-Beach.com wrote about the book:
- “Robert Arthur might have had the success of the then still young James Bond series in mind in '67. Just think of the recording device hidden in the camera [...]. Or the storyline: slowly approaching the enemy, capture, escape and a grandiose finale with the ringing of the bells. Nonetheless, I like this episode. The very idea of the silver spider deserves the highest respect - and we haven't learned how useful spiders are ... "
pads
Kosmos did not disclose sales figures, but from the information in the books we know that there were a total of seven editions between 1981 and 1989. In the first five editions, the number of copies was specified - a total of 155,000 copies. From this it can be concluded that the book has sold less well compared to others. In 2009, "... and the silver spider" was published as part of the Classic Edition, in which all of the books by Robert Arthur were reissued.
particularities
The special thing about this episode is that the plot for the German translation has been moved from Europe to Texas. In the original The Three Investigators stories, this is the only time the three ??? are on another continent . After 14 years the original book was translated. The changes for the German edition were made by the translator Leonore Puschert . She decided on a Swedish colony because she speaks the Swedish language herself.
It is one of the few episodes in which the three question marks - at least in the original American version - are outside the United States.
Furthermore, "The Silver Spider" is one of the few episodes in which a fictional state appears. In addition to the European Varania, there are also Nanda (“Der Doppelganger”, 1978) and Ndalu (“The Burning Sword”, 1997), both British colonies in Africa that have achieved or are supposed to achieve their independence, as well as the island state of Ruffino (“Der Zauberspiegel ", 1974).
Later references
When the three ??? In the later episode "The Empty Grave", when the spiders are cleared up when they find the headquarters, they remember this adventure, among other things. In the episode "Skateboard Fever", the three ??? stolen the file on this case.
Individual evidence
- ↑ http://www.hoerspiel.de/dstore/shop/Serien/Die+drei+Fragezeichen/Die+drei+Fragezeichen+und+die+silberne+Spinne/349017?gn210=H%F6rspiele
- ↑ For a brief comparison see http://www.rocky-beach.com/inhalt/spinneinhalt.html
- ↑ http://www.rocky-beach.com/cgi-bin/s_eingabe.pl/?mode=follow & follow=24&print= reverse
- ↑ http://www.rocky-beach.com/inhalt/spinneinhalt.html #Comment
- ↑ http://www.rocky-beach.com/cover/auflagen/008-auflage.html
- ↑ http://www.rocky-beach.com/special/l_puschert/puschert_leonore2004.html