| The Black Abbot |
| Directed by Franz Josef Gottlieb Joachim Berger ....Dick Alford Grit Böttcher . Leslie Gine Dieter Borsche .... Harry Chelford Charles Régnier ... Ins. Puddler Klaus Kinski .... Fortuna |
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| This is an unusual entry in the series of Edgar Wallace krimis.Most of the krimis are "whodunit" types.This is more of a "whytheydunit" film.You really have to pay attention to this film and if you do you're in for a real treat. It is one of my favorites in the series.Shall we go to the ruined abbey...? |
| Edgar Wallace Krimis #2 |
| Near the ruined abbey on the grounds of Chelford Manor Mr Smooth waits for Gilder.Suddenly a black hooded, black robed figure acosts him and stabs him in the back.It is the Black Abbot. Gilder is seen making a quick furitive entrance into his home on the grounds. Dick Alford returns to the Manor.Dick is the administrator of Chelford and cousin to Lord Of The Manor, Harry Chelford.Harry also furitively enters the house.He and Dick have a small argument over Harry's nocturnal wanderings.Dick tells Harry to say he never left the house for the past 21 hours. Alford and Fortuna the butler have a discussion.Seems that there is a body on the grounds and Fortuna found Alford's pipe near the body.Alford calls Scotland Yard.Inspector Puddler and his pain in the arse assistant Horatio arrive. Mary Wenner, the former secretary to Harry arrives the next morning.She is shown out quickly by Fortuna on the orders of Dick Alford.She had her sights on becoming the new Lady Chelford but her plans were thwarted by Alford.Puddler confronts Fortuna with the knowledge that he is really Streisser, an ex convict. |
| Alford and Leslie Gine have a chat.Even though she is in an engagement of convenience with Harry she is in love with Alford.He loves her too but for the status quo keeps his feelings inside. Leslie feels that Harry is too obssessed with the legend of a treasure and a wonder drug on the estate.Here we learn that Harry's mom died two years ago and that Harry may be just a little squirrelly. Leslie's brother Arthur is in trouble.He has forged Lord Chelford's signature to several notes. The notes are in the possession of the slimy Gilder.Gilder has the hots for Leslie and is blackmailing Arthur.He will stop if Leslie marries him.(Here we also learn that Fortuna is an informant of Gilder's.He calls Gilder and keeps him abreast of the goings on at the manor).Leslie agrees to an innocent tea with Gilder. Arthur informs Dick of the blackmail and the intent of Gilder.Alford races to Gilder's just as the slimeball is forcing himself on Leslie.Dick threatens to actually acknowledge the forged notes as the real thing in an effort to upset Gilder. Mary Wenner teams up with Gilder.She feels that she has a lead on the actual Chelford treasure. Millions of pounds can be theirs.They meet that night on the abbey grounds.Also on the grounds for a midnight stroll is Dick Alford and Leslie.Harry jealously watches them. In the catacombs Gilder & Mary find canisters possibly containing the treasure.They are surprised by the Black Abbot.They flee with one of the canisters.Dr Loxon then appears and takes the rest of the canisters away. A woman prowls the grounds. She is a double for the late Lady Chelford.She meets with the Black Abbot and buys something from him.Horatio comes across the Black Abbot.There is a short fight and the Abbot knocks Horatio out.We see that it really is Alford.How many Black Abbots are wandering about? Gilder heads back and finds Mary with a rifle.She is about to shoot him when someone in the bushes shoots her down.Gilder flees in panic. Dick and Harry have another argument.Leslie has broken the engagement and Harry feels it is Dick's fault.In reality Gilder has threatened to expose her brother unless she marries him.Fortuna goes to Gilder and tells him that Alford will not acknowledge the notes as he had planned to.Gilder is winning. Harry tries to kill Dick that night.Here we learn that Harry is rapidly losing his mind like his mother did.Alford and Dr Loxon are keeping Lady Chelford under wraps.She didn't die but went crazier than an outhouse mouse.They have tried to spare Harry the trauma but to no avail. Lady Chelford is wandering the grounds dressed like the Black Abbot.She stumbles into Harry and in his madness he shoots her.Another Black Abbot chases Harry.He is also gunned down.Loxon spirits away Lady Chelford but she dies. It all culminates in a terrific chase and gun battle in the ruins of the Abbey.Who will live and who will die?Will Gilder win?Who are the Black Abbots?Is there really millions of pounds of treasure in the abbey? This film has a great spooky score by Martin Bottcher.The ruined abbey sets are realistic and wonderfully done. The interiors of the house (if they are sets) are magnificient.The grounds are spooky and fog bound.Great use of real night photography and a nice autumnal setting.The plot moves along and is well acted & directed. This is one of the first krimis I bought.The dubbing is horsebleep and kind of throws you for a while until you get used to it.It isn't in synch for the first 30 minutes.Also the comedy relief is as irritating as chewing on tinfoil.Maybe it plays better in German. All in all small quibbles for a wonderfully moody film. |
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| Krimi 10 Inn On The River |