The German Super-Villain, Dr. Mabuse, dates back to 1922, at least in German film. Like many Bond villains, he was just too good of a bad guy to retire after his death. Hence, bring him back! Why not!? Patrick Duffy was brought back in "Dallas," even though no one wanted him back. This mad scientist, dabbing in the supernatural, is just too good of an antagonist to worry about mortality. In this 1963 German film, set in Hamburg, he's back! Our feature today is "Dr. Mabuse vs. Scotland Yard," directed by Paul May.
Yep...he's back. But how? Dr. Mabuse (Wolfgang Preiss) was killed many years ago. He is in Hamburg plotting world conquest. One must admire his ambition. This is the deal, he has his henchmen help a demented army doctor escape from a prison train. Now Cockstone (Dieter Bosche) works for him. Mabuse gives Cockstone a different face and sends him to work for a scientist who is inventing a machine that can control the thoughts of others and turn them into Mabuse's drones. Cockstone murders the scientist and steals the device. Now Mabuse uses it to enslave powerful and influential Germans. Insp. Vulpius (Werner Peters), and Insp. Wright (Klaus Kinski) are on the case and call in Scotland Yard genius, Major Bill Tern (Peter van Eyck), the man who got Mabuse many years ago, to assist.
Mabuse, the mad genius he is, co-opts an influential German princess, Diana (Ruth Wilbert) with the plan to install her as the new German leader. He also co-opts Tern's negligee clad GF, Nancy (Sabine Bethmann). Now it's personal and Tern, working with the two inspectors, seem on their own as half of Germany is entranced by Mabuse. Ah, but wait! Tern is brilliant and he just may have found a vulnerability to this telepathy device. With half of the German police entranced, our trio must be careful but also work fast. As Mabuse is ready to inflict his final assault in conquering Germany, Tern and his two buddies must bravely act and take the fight to the mad scientist.
Can Tern rescue Nancy and Diana from the spell they're under? Just what does Mabuse plan to do with Germany after conquering it? Will negligee clad Nancy and Princess Diana engage in a gratuitous catfight over Tern...or Mabuse? This is a campy, quirky, and fun one with a bit of wit to it. If you like larger than life mad villains, Dr. Mabuse is someone you have to meet. See "Dr. Mabuse vs. Scotland Yard," and enjoy the madness.
I've seen a couple of the 60s Mabuse films (plus the originals from the 20s and early 30s) - madly entertaining, and kind of similar to the krimis that were being made at the same time - but I don't think I've seen this one yet.
ReplyDeleteThere's a Masters of Cinema Blu Ray box set, of all six films from the 60s, with English subtitles, due out in the spring in the UK - I can't wait!