Tis was the final installment of a six part Frau Wirtin (hostess) series by Franz Antel. Known primarily by its German title, Frau Wirtins tolle Töchterlein, the film circulated under various names including Leva lo diavolo tuo dal... convento, M'Lady's Court, Knickers Ahoy, and Devils in the Convent. This Austrian-Italian co-production, with West German involvement, is a pure sex comedy. The film incorporates archive footage from its predecessors, a production choice that heavily influenced its narrative structure and reception. The Frau Wirtin films emerged in the late 1960s as a series of period sex comedies, often set against a vaguely Napoleonic backdrop.
The series gained considerable traction, particularly in German-speaking markets. The films typically starred Hungarian actress Teri Tordai as the titular hostess, Susanne (often referred to as "Sexy Susan" in English markets), a character known for her seductive exploits. The series blended historical settings with comedic situations and ample nudity, often featuring established actors in supporting roles alongside actresses willing to perform nude scenes. The Countess Died of Laughter serves as the sixth and final installment, following: Die Wirtin von der Lahn (1967) (English: The Sweet Sins of Sexy Susan); Frau Wirtin hat auch einen Grafen (1968) (English: Sexy Susan Sins Again / The Hostess Also Has A Count); Frau Wirtin hat auch eine Nichte (1969) (English: House of Pleasure); Frau Wirtin bläst auch gern Trompete (1970) (English: Sexy Susan Knows How...); and Frau Wirtin treibt es jetzt noch toller (1970).
Produced three years after the fifth entry, this final film was conceived as a closing chapter for the character Susanne. It deviates from the earlier films partly due to its heavy reliance on recycled footage, effectively becoming a valedictory piece assembled from past adventures. The many many nude and soft core scenes are actually quite tastefully done with humor
Franz Antel (1913-2007) was a prolific Austrian director, writer, and producer known for his work across various popular genres. He directed all the Frau Wirtin films, including this final entry, which he also produced. Antel's stated goal was straightforward entertainment: "I always wanted to provide good entertainment for the people at the cinema. After the screening, people should say: Well now, I am in a good mood, I will go out and have a glass of wine".
Susanne Delberg, now Countess Süderland, passes away from laughing too hard at her servant caught frolicking the undertaker in the wardrobe. The Countess leaves her considerable fortune to a daughter she had placed in a convent school for her upbringing. The executor of the will, Vincent van der Straten (Gabriele Tinti), arrives at the convent with the news but faces a dilemma: the Countess never specified which of the young women is her daughter. Five potential heiresses emerge: Françoise, Clarissa, Susanne, Piroschka, and Anselma. All five candidates prove to be as "raunchy" and sexually uninhibited as the late Countess herself. Ultimately, the mystery is resolved with the revelation that all five women are, in fact, the Countess's illegitimate daughters and will rightfully share the inheritance. Teri Tordai stars as Susanne Delberg, the Countess who dies early in the film but appears extensively through archive footage from her central role in previous installments. Her character sets the tone for the behavior of her daughters.
The film secured an Italian censorship visa (#62179) on April 11, 1973, the date of its Italian release. It premiered in West Germany shortly after, on April 19, 1973 , distributed by Constantin Film. In West Germany, it received a strict "FSK 18" rating (adults only), designated JK 114 and marked "X" by the censors on March 27, 1973. A UK age rating is also listed as 18. These technical specifications and distribution details align with the standard practices for European exploitation films of the era. The use of color, widescreen format, relatively short runtime, and an 'Adults Only' rating were common strategies to attract a specific audience demographic looking for accessible, visually stimulating, and risqué entertainment.
