Under the spell of the uncanny
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| Original title | Under the spell of the uncanny |
 | |
| Country of production | Germany |
| original language | German |
| Publishing year | 1968 |
| length | 89 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 12 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Alfred Vohrer |
| script |
Ladislas Fodor , edited by Paul Hengge |
| production |
Rialto Film ( Horst Wendlandt , Preben Philipsen ) |
| music | Peter Thomas |
| camera | Karl Löb |
| cut | Jutta Hering |
| occupation | |
| |
Under the spell of the uncanny is a German crime film and the 31st German-language Edgar Wallace film of the post-war period . The film, loosely based on the novel of the same name (original title: The Hand of Power ) by Edgar Wallace , was shot from January 29 to March 13, 1968 in West Berlin and London under the direction of Alfred Vohrer . The premiere of the film produced by Rialto Film took place on April 26, 1968 in Bremen (Ufa-Theater), Oberhausen (Europa Kino) and Saarbrücken (Passage Kino).
action
Sir Oliver Ramsey was killed in a plane crash. When he is carried to his grave at his funeral, a loud, eerie laugh can be heard from the coffin. Sir Cecil, the brother of the deceased, does not believe that his brother is really dead. When one evening the family lawyer Dr. Merryl is murdered with a poisonous scorpion ring, Sir Cecil believes his dead brother is the murderer. He also claims to have seen a skeleton outside the window at night. When more mysterious murders occur, committed by the stranger with a poisoned ring, Inspector Higgins and journalist Peggy Ward make amazing discoveries in the private life of the deceased.
Sir Cecil has to watch as the "laughing corpse" murders the nightclub singer Sabrina. Peggy procures a unique book on rare poisons and is only barely rescued from the "laughing corpse" by Inspector Higgins. She looks for her stolen book from a Professor Bound, who is surprisingly a woman. The bearer of the book Bannister is also murdered.
In Sabrina's dressing room, Higgins finds the picture of her fiancé, a flight captain, who died in a plane crash with Sir Oliver. Sabrina was a stewardess until shortly before. Then he discovers a record in Sabrina's apartment on which the terrible laugh can be heard. To test those involved, he plays the record unannounced during the service, and the already frightened Sir Cecil has a seizure and comes to Dr. Fire.
Soon after, Dr. Fire poisoned and Peggy kidnapped during her investigation. In the meantime, Inspector Higgins discovers that Sir Oliver's coffin is no longer in the family vault. He wants to question the stonemason Ramiro, but the nurse Adela, who had a relationship with Sir Oliver, delivers Ramiro to the clinic, where he dies.
At the funeral home, Higgins finds Peggy and Sir Oliver's missing coffin. Higgins and Peggy discover that the skeleton in the coffin cannot be Sir Oliver as it has no signs of Sir Oliver's hip disease.
Sir Cecil has since fled the hospital and is soon murdered by the sinister. Higgins can chase him. The journey ends in the family crypt. There Higgins can overpower the uncanny, under whose mask the still living Ramiro alias Sir Oliver is hiding. He had escaped the plane crash that Sir Cecil had caused with a bomb, thanks to the stewardess Sabrina at the time, and had avenged himself on Cecil and his helpers. Lastly, Sir Oliver is killed and his accomplice Adela takes her own life.
Reviews
"The director Alfred Vohrer, who specializes in Wallace films and has an excellent command not only of the cinematic technique, but also of the cinematic narration, once again knows a way to incorporate all possible moments of tension into the scenario created with skill by Ladislas Fodor."
“In contrast to many other series, whose films are gradually becoming weaker and weaker, one can unreservedly confirm the Wendlandt production and director Alfred Vohrer that the perfection of their Wallace tears increases from film to film, but without becoming frozen in cheap routine . Even the mists roll more and more skillfully. Here, too, a super ripper has succeeded, which captivates from the first minute of the film and keeps the field of tension under high voltage until the end. "
"Exciting Wallace shocker."
"Despite proven staff, this scary thriller can't keep up with some of the highlights of the series."
“The laughter of a country nobleman believed dead at his own funeral results in a series of corpses, the multitude of which more alleviates the tension than increases it. Pleasantly and unimaginatively staged and acted film adaptation of a novel by Edgar Wallace. "
Others
- During the shooting, the film still had the working title "The Unheimliche".
- Once again, Berlin's Pfaueninsel served as the backdrop for an Edgar Wallace film . The interior shots took place in the CCC-Film studios in Berlin's Spandau district. Further recordings were made in London. The New Scotland Yard , which was moved into in 1967 and is still in use, was first seen in a film in the Wallace series.
- After guest roles in “ Neues vom Hexer ” (1965) and “ Der Bucklige von Soho ” (1966) Hubert von Meyerinck made his debut as Scotland Yard boss Sir Arthur. When the secretary Miss Finley ( Ilse Pagé ) inadvertently addresses him by the name of his predecessor Sir John in the film, he reacts angrily by pointing out that he is in a well-deserved retirement. In fact, Meyerinck, then 71, was four years older than his predecessor Siegfried Schürenberg , who took over the role of Sir John again in 1971.
- Director Alfred Vohrer dubbed the voice of the "uncanny". Assistant director Eva Ebner can be seen in a small role as secretary.
- The leading actress Siw Mattson , also from Sweden, was dubbed by Renate Küster .
- The film was approved by the FSK for ages 16 and over without any restrictions. In 1991 it was approved for children aged 12 and over.
- The mask and the appearance of the "uncanny" serve as a template for the character of the wanker from the comedy film of the same name.
Film music
The music was composed by Peter Thomas . On the CD Peter Thomas - Film Musik by Polydor , released in 1996 , seven soundtracks were released:
- Penelope
- The Laughing Skull
- Fingertips
- Brutal beat
- In the family crypt
- The body is armed
- The Space of Today (theme music, sung by Lill Lindfors )
The film song “The Space of Today” (music: Peter Thomas , text: Lothar Meid ) is sung by Lill Lindfors . In a duet with Svante Thuresson , she took second place in the 1966 Eurovision Song Contest for Sweden with the title "Nygammal vals". The Space of Today and Fingertips also appeared on other CDs. However, Fingertips was published under the title Sitar Cha-Cha .
literature
- Edgar Wallace: Under the spell of the uncanny (Original title: The Hand of Power ). German translation. Wilhelm Goldmann GmbH 2001, ISBN 3-442-05331-5 .
- Joachim Kramp , Jürgen Wehnert: The Edgar Wallace Lexicon. Life, work, films. It is impossible not to be captivated by Edgar Wallace! Verlag Schwarzkopf & Schwarzkopf, Berlin 2004, ISBN 3-89602-508-2 .
- Joachim Kramp : Hello! This is Edgar Wallace speaking. The story of the legendary German crime film series from 1959–1972 . 3. Edition. Verlag Schwarzkopf and Schwarzkopf, Berlin 2005, ISBN 3-89602-645-3 .
Web links
- Under the spell of the uncanny in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Under the spell of the uncanny ( memento from December 26, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) at deutscher-tonfilm.de
- Under the spell of the uncanny at filmportal.de
- Sound carrier with the film music
Individual evidence
- ↑ according to the book The Great Album of the Edgar Wallace Films and Hello! This is Edgar Wallace speaking. The history of the crime film series from 1959 to 1972.
- ↑ Under the spell of the uncanny. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed October 15, 2016 .
