Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de) "Das Rätsel der roten Orchidee" (sucks this isn't in color doesn't it?) or "The Secret of the Red Orchid" is a West German black-and-white film from the early 1960s, so this one is already over 50 years old. It is a fairly early addition to the famous German-language Edgar Wallace series. Director Helmut Ashley has not worked on other films from the franchise, so I believe this is probably his biggest achievement. Writer Egon Eis is a name I have not heard before, but he has a fairly decent body of work, also including titles that may still be somewhat famous over half a century later. And the cast includes a couple decent names too, mostly Christopher Lee playing the lead detective in here. And the best thing is, he was fluent in German and we really hear his voice. Adrian Hoven and Eddi Aren't may be known too to German audiences. The biggest female character is played by the stunning, tragically short-lived Marisa Mell. And last but not least, Klaus Kinski plays a mysterious antagonist(?) as he does in some other Edgar Wallace movies. In any case, he is a scene stealer. But all these talented actors are not enough if the script and story in here is so underwhelming as it is here. What a disappointment. This film had potential for so much more. I cannot say if it's Eis' or Wallace's fault, but the plot was just never interesting and the reference in the title (not yet the antagonist as later on) feels pretty random. I have to give this one a thumbs down. Not recommended and I am glad it runs for only slightly over 80 minutes.

Witchfinder General 666 German Edgar Wallace flicks from the early 60s - a cheesy kind of cinema, but, as far as I am considered, also a very lovable one. Crime flicks and murder mysteries based on the writings of the British novelist Edgar Wallace were immensely popular in Germany of the 1960s, some of them were also very cool, others immensely corny, and almost all of them incredibly entertaining in one way or another. "Das Rätsel Der Roten Orchidee" (aka. "The Secret Of The Red Orchid") of 1962 would probably be one of the inferior Edgar Wallace films, if it wasn't for two ingenious actors. This cheesy crime mystery does not only star the incredibly sinister Klaus Kinski (as many other Wallace films), but also one of cinema's greatest Horror icons, the almighty Christopher Lee. Lee, who plays an American FBI agent, was dubbed in the English language version, but he can be heard speaking German in the original German version, and his German is amazingly good.Several rich people are murdered in London, and the murders are somehow connected with a gang of blackmailers. Since the crimes seem like the work of Chicago mobsters, American FBI Captain Allermann (Christopher Lee) comes to London to help the investigating Scotland Yard Inspector Weston (Adrian Hoven).The plot itself is quite lame, and full of illogical twists, but the film nevertheless promises pure entertainment. Christopher Lee is a great enrichment as always, but the best aspect of the movie is Klaus Kinski who shines in a very sinister role. Sexy Marisa Mell is once again stunningly beautiful in the female lead, and the comedic part goes to Eddi Aren't who plays role of the butler (once again). This is not one of the highlights in the popular series of Edgar Wallace-based films that were made in Germany between 1959 and the early 70s, but it is amusing light-hearted entertainment, and recommendable for Christopher Lee, Klaus Kinski and beautiful Marissa Mell.

Scarecrow-88 The lieutenant of a Chicago crime syndicate shot down by rival gangster boss Kerkie Minelli's(Eric Pohlmann)hoods, Gunner Steve(Klaus Kinski)sets up new roots in London and is suspected of blackmailing wealthy aristocrats threatening through the use of mailed letters written in block newspaper/magazine clippings not to report to the police or else. Minelli himself, along with his gangster clan, decide to take up residence in London themselves splitting the city in two. Scotland Yard Inspector Weston(Adrian Hoven)convinces his superiors to join forces with American(!)FBI agent Captain Allerman(Christopher Lee),a cunning investigator who understands the methods of these Chicago crime families and their history offering a brand of expertise needed to take down these hoodlums who have possibly led to the murder of several wealthy citizens already. But, are these crime families really responsible for the blackmailing and murders of those aristocrats? Or, are they merely the perfect cover for another schemer? In an important sub-plot, Lilian Ranger(Marisa Mell)watches with her buffoon butler, Parker(Eddi Aren't, the comedy relief of this crime thriller..a running gag has him labeled the "death butler" for he winds up under the employ of every single aristocrat murdered by the blackmailing killer)as her employer, Elias Tanner(Fritz Rasp)is gunned down by hoods in his own home passing themselves off as Scotland Yard guards. His bachelor nephew, Edwin(Pinkas Braun), one known for being quite the playboy and ne'er-do-well, comes home supposedly from Brazil to hopefully receive an inheritance from his uncle's will. Edwin is known as an orchid hunter/enthusiast and often drops by to see Lilian, even after he finds out that his uncle has left the entire inheritance to her. Can Edwin be trusted? Or, is he possibly secretly plotting something? He always brings a unique orchid for Lilian when he visits her.To be honest, this crime/gangster thriller is only notable for it's cast, particularly Lee and Kinski. But, they can not save themselves from the rather dull plot or the atrocious dubbing which causes one to wince..whoever was responsible for the voice-work, which is indeed a travesty to listen to, shouldn't have been paid a dime. It's interesting seeing Mell in this before she'd go on to become an icon in Italian cinema. One thing that just drove me bonkers was the way hoods would shoot people and the camera would close in to show that the victims of bullet-fire had no wounds or even a hint of blood..the effect of Minelli's fate, for instance, is ruined because of a close-up showing not the slightest hint of bodily damage. The film itself is rather a bore, I must admit. But, seeing Lee and Kinski opposite each other, even if for just one scene, is quite a thrill. The film's main mystery is practically ruined by the title!

bensonmum2 A series of wealthy individuals are being blackmailed throughout England. It's either pay up or die. Two different Chicago gangs are believed to be behind the blackmail schemes, but the police are unable to gather enough evidence to put them out of business. It's up to Scotland Yard Inspector Weston (Adrian Hoven) and the FBI's Captain Allerman (Christopher Lee) to put the bad guys behind bars.The Secret of the Red Orchid is an interesting mix of comedy and crime. There's probably more comedy in this Krimi than I've seen in my limited experience with these movies and, fortunately, some of it works. Eddi Arnett's "Butler of Death" is a character that could have been really annoying in lesser hands. The rest of the cast is just as capable. In addition to Lee and Hoven, the film also features genre legend Klaus Kinski as mob boss head Gunner Steve and the always delightful Marisa Mell in an early role. Lee, Hoven, Kinski, and Mell in the same movie! It's a Euro-film lovers dream! On the downside, there are plot holes big enough to drive a truck through. Why does it take the police so long to catch the blackmailers? They know right from the start who is responsible for the killings. Another big problem with the film is the dubbing. Lee's dubbing is horrible. He sounds as flat as can be. And the dubbing of the gangsters has them sounding like a bunch of cartoon characters. The poor dubbing certainly takes away from the enjoyment of the film.