Secret of the Red Orchid (1962)

Crime, Mystery, Thriller /
5.5/10
false% – Audience

Secret of the Red Orchid Storyline

Rival gangsters from Chicago move to London and attempt to extort money from rich Britons.

Secret of the Red Orchid Photos

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Secret of the Red Orchid Movie Reviews

Christopher Lee, Klaus Kinski, and Sexy Marissa Mell make this mediocre Wallace-flick worthwhile

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.

Lee, Hoven, Kinski, and Mell in the same movie! It’s a Euro-film lovers dream!

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.

Solid entertainment

“Das Rätsel der roten Orchidee” tells the story of rich Britains who are threathened by rivaling gangs from the states. Will Scotland Yard be able to solve the mystery before more harm is done?

The film is nothing special, in many ways it reminds of the usual Edgar Wallace adaptions and similar titles. It delivers solid crime mystery and decent acting, only the role of the humorous butler tends to get very annoying after a short while. However, the film doesn’t really show lengths and is entertaining plus it meanwhile delivers a lot of vintage charme.

All in all I see the movie better than many of the other reviewers but it surely isn’t a masterpiece, rather a small, nice to watch film for a boring evening for those who have a heart for older titles.

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