Le bossu de Londres

By 1966 the German series of Edgar Wallace films was running out of steam. There were preciously few new ideas ("make it in colour" isn't enough), so we have the usual good vs. evil battle, with some damsels in distress thrown in for good measure. An unusual twist, for the followers of the series, is that some of the regular comic-relief actors (Arent, Windeck, v. Meyerinck) are this time on the sinister side of things. This didn't work very well though - they make thoroughly unconvincing villains.

Admittedly I still have many films of my Edgar Wallace collection boxset still to see, but so far "The Hunchback of Soho" was definitely the best. Perhaps due to this being the first Krimi to be filmed in refreshing colors, or perhaps because regular Eddi Arent for once doesn't depict the irritating comic relief guy. Or because, quite simply, it's a fast-paced and action-packed thriller with a compelling plot, intriguing characters and a handful of cool grisly murders. The principal storyline revolves around a beautiful young American girl who gets kidnapped by a criminal organization, so that they can replace with one of their own and collect the massive inheritance for which she came to London. There are several worthwhile sub plots as well, though. The crime ring keeps a bunch of young women locked up, for some reason. They are guarded by a dominatrix with a whip, tutored by a priest and enslaved to work in an underground laundromat. The titular hunchback is also a guard at the laundromat, and he mercilessly strangles the girls who attempt to escape. Worth seeing if you are a fan of krimi/euro-crime cinema.

To be entirely honest, A GREAT many of these predictably pulpy, Edgar Wallace Krimis can irksomely vacillate between sublimely skewed amusement and leaden tedium; fortuitously, this particularly audacious offering is excitingly directed by the highly skilful German filmmaker, Alfred Vohrer who, as always, keeps the bristling action ticking over at rewardingly delirious speeds! The pleasingly lurid plot is standard Wallace fare: a bizarre, conspicuously homicidal individual is killing nubile young women, and a considerable inheritance is involved. But the real kicker here is the truly astonishing and uber-funky burlesque score by acclaimed music maestro, Peter Thomas. I honestly believe a comprehensive appraisal of his scintillating soundtracks for film & TV is LONG overdue! Brimming over with bravura B-Movie incident, Edgar Wallace's colourful crime caper, 'The Hunchback of Soho' is a kooky-kitsch delight from start to finish, and it might remain my favourite Krimi! Alfred Vohrer I salute you!!!!