The idea of using the Hogan's Heroes cast in a cold war farce could have been delicious. The Paula Schultz character, her circumstances, and goals, could have made for a very interesting cold war farce. Bob Crane, stepping out of character, to form a complex blend of con man, sadist, and American patriot, had definite possibilities. Unfortunately, when they put them all together. This is the mess they got. I can hardly believe that George Marshall (!!!) is the credited director on this disjointed, slapsticky, murky mess.
15 Reviews
Winning Elke Sommer performance in an otherwise monotonous comedy
gridoon202422 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Elke Sommer was often used primarily as eye-candy (but what eye-candy!) in films of the 1960s and the 1970s, but when given the chance she could be more, as she proves in "The Wicked Dreams Of Paula Schultz". Playing the simultaneously naive and resourceful title character, Sommer gets to let loose in "low" comedy and she is sexy, quite athletic, and very appealing. She is by far the best thing in this otherwise monotonous (the entire "plot" is basically just one situation: Paula Schultz flees to West Germany, bumbling East German agents try to get her back), overextended (113 minutes!) comedy. There are some laughs, but not enough for such a long movie. By the way, was Maureen Arthur's character supposed to be an "undesirable" wife? I thought she had a pretty hot body....** out of 4.
Elke Sommer meets Hogan's Heroes
wes-connors14 January 2015
Sexually arousing Elke Sommer (as Paula Schultz) is the star Olympian athlete in Communist-run East Germany. Entranced by Western 1960s pop culture, Ms. Sommer shows up for a publicity photo wearing her miniskirt and busty top. instead of the expected jumpsuit. Her shocking attire brings Sommer to the attention of horny propaganda minister Werner Klemperer (as Klaus). Sommer escapes from his bed and pole-vaults over the Berlin Wall. American black-market businessman Bob Crane (as William "Bill" Mason) saves Sommer from bumbling East German agent John Banner (as Weber). He must decide whether he should sell Sommer back to the East Germans, or keep her for himself...
This stupid, overlong comedy features sex symbol Sommer and several stars from the concurrent CBS TV series "Hogan's Heroes". As a comedy, it fails miserably. There are a few moments when Mr. Klemperer (the TV show's intellectually challenged Nazi Col. Klink) and Mr. Banner (his rotund "I know nothing, nothing!" Sgt. Shultz) employ their familiar physical comic skills. Their efforts are wasted. The TV situation comedy's writers gave Mr. Crane and the series a sly wit that is completely absent from this film. About the only thing it does well is show Sommer in various stages of dress and undress. It's all G-rated, but her incredible sexiness makes up for the tease.
*** The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz (1/3/68) George Marshall ~ Elke Sommer, Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, John Banner
This stupid, overlong comedy features sex symbol Sommer and several stars from the concurrent CBS TV series "Hogan's Heroes". As a comedy, it fails miserably. There are a few moments when Mr. Klemperer (the TV show's intellectually challenged Nazi Col. Klink) and Mr. Banner (his rotund "I know nothing, nothing!" Sgt. Shultz) employ their familiar physical comic skills. Their efforts are wasted. The TV situation comedy's writers gave Mr. Crane and the series a sly wit that is completely absent from this film. About the only thing it does well is show Sommer in various stages of dress and undress. It's all G-rated, but her incredible sexiness makes up for the tease.
*** The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz (1/3/68) George Marshall ~ Elke Sommer, Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, John Banner
Just a . . . a bad movie
arihoptman20 May 2014
I, too, tuned in to see the cast members of "Hogan's Heroes" in different roles, though other than Leon Askin, most of them are playing very similar characters. After a time, one gets used to the novelty casting, and the movie itself begins to show through.
Leading lady Elke Sommer is beautiful and genuinely charming, at least in those scenes where she is allowed to act. (An aside: I wish she had been given more to do during her film career.)
On the whole, however, this movie is very poorly written and directed. Most of the physical humor is silly rather than funny, as well as being badly choreographed. Take at most 15 minutes to appreciate said cast members and then turn to something riveting and intellectual, like a rerun of Gilligan.
Leading lady Elke Sommer is beautiful and genuinely charming, at least in those scenes where she is allowed to act. (An aside: I wish she had been given more to do during her film career.)
On the whole, however, this movie is very poorly written and directed. Most of the physical humor is silly rather than funny, as well as being badly choreographed. Take at most 15 minutes to appreciate said cast members and then turn to something riveting and intellectual, like a rerun of Gilligan.
Ja Wohl, Herr Kommandant!
stalzz6428 March 2008
Yep, I agree with the previous reviewer that this film is similar to Hogan's Heroes (sort of) except it is set in 1967 when it was filmed and in Commie East Deutschland instead of WW2 Nazi Deutschland.
I received a bootleg copy in the mail today and I did indeed buy it only for the pop culture kitsch of seeing Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, Leon Askin and John Banner playing 'contemporary' characters in 1960's clothing. John Banner does not have his Schultz mustache in this movie, but he sure plays the character just like good old Sgt.Schultz circa 1943. 1967 contemporary settings and costumes or not, these actors were already forever typecast as Col. Robert E. Hogan, Col. Wilhelm Klink, Gen. Albert Burkhalter and Sgt. Hans Schultz.
I liked this movie a little, for the single reason that is: the beautiful Elke Sommer is so hot! Wow! She was in her prime.
This film was made and released just as the MPAA film board was loosening its' grip on the movie studios ability to write and film and release 'naughtier' and 'sexier' (and more violent) adult themed movies, so this movie is a wee bit risqué by 1967 standards but is quite tame by todays standards. It's a typical goofy 1960's sex comedy.
Knowing what we know now about the private sex life of Bob Crane, seeing him do a sex comedy while riding the crest of the wave of Hogan's Heroes fame is interesting. Werner Klemperer was apparently a skirt chaser in real life as well, having been married multiple times.
My great joy out of all this is the knowledge that I finally have the autographs of Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, John Banner and Leon Askin and the rest of the Hogans Heroes cast. The only ones I am missing are Howard Caine, a semi-regular cast member who played Maj. Hochstetter, the SS interrogator, and Fraulein Hilda/Helga, played by Bob Crane's future wife, Sigrid Valdis.
IF YOU KNOW OF ANYBODY WHO HAS THESE AUTOGRAPHS FOR SALE PLEASE MESSAGE ME THROUGH IMDb! I cannot find them anywhere! Not even on the most famous online auction site....Especially Howard Caine's.
I received a bootleg copy in the mail today and I did indeed buy it only for the pop culture kitsch of seeing Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, Leon Askin and John Banner playing 'contemporary' characters in 1960's clothing. John Banner does not have his Schultz mustache in this movie, but he sure plays the character just like good old Sgt.Schultz circa 1943. 1967 contemporary settings and costumes or not, these actors were already forever typecast as Col. Robert E. Hogan, Col. Wilhelm Klink, Gen. Albert Burkhalter and Sgt. Hans Schultz.
I liked this movie a little, for the single reason that is: the beautiful Elke Sommer is so hot! Wow! She was in her prime.
This film was made and released just as the MPAA film board was loosening its' grip on the movie studios ability to write and film and release 'naughtier' and 'sexier' (and more violent) adult themed movies, so this movie is a wee bit risqué by 1967 standards but is quite tame by todays standards. It's a typical goofy 1960's sex comedy.
Knowing what we know now about the private sex life of Bob Crane, seeing him do a sex comedy while riding the crest of the wave of Hogan's Heroes fame is interesting. Werner Klemperer was apparently a skirt chaser in real life as well, having been married multiple times.
My great joy out of all this is the knowledge that I finally have the autographs of Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, John Banner and Leon Askin and the rest of the Hogans Heroes cast. The only ones I am missing are Howard Caine, a semi-regular cast member who played Maj. Hochstetter, the SS interrogator, and Fraulein Hilda/Helga, played by Bob Crane's future wife, Sigrid Valdis.
IF YOU KNOW OF ANYBODY WHO HAS THESE AUTOGRAPHS FOR SALE PLEASE MESSAGE ME THROUGH IMDb! I cannot find them anywhere! Not even on the most famous online auction site....Especially Howard Caine's.
Forget the topic...this is just plain bad
papamac63013 October 2006
The subject matter notwithstanding, this picture is a colossal waste of time and film...I cannot for the life of me figure out why anyone decided to actually sign a contract to do this...the ONLY reason to give it anything more than a 1 is because there are enough scenes of Elke to elevate it to a 2...and spoiling the ending wouldn't come into play here...it would be a patriotic duty to tell everyone how it ends...so they can skip watching it...I think it is a tribute to the other members of the "Hogan's Heroes" cast that they didn't either agree to make this piece of trash or weren't asked...in which case they should thank their lucky stars or buy a lottery ticket...and what is really astonishing is that you can actually find this pseudo-feature on the Net...I found a copy on Half.com...so if you're in the market for one of the worst movies in cinematic history...my suggestion is you go trolling there...
BOMB! Lowest rating....
Piper1231 August 2000
The absolutely one and only reason to watch this cinematic stinkeroo is to see the cast of "Hogan's Heroes" in a Cold War setting rather than World War II. (And that's a dubious enough reason.) Instead of Nazi Germany being run by a bunch of bumbling idiots, in this film, it's East Germany. The taste of the original television series was questionable, and this film only underlines that judgement. Avoid it if you can.
All this movie needed...
irishm13 January 2015
was Ed Wood to direct it.
I saw this on TV when I was about 10 years old and a rabid Hogan's Heroes fan. I was horrified. Yes, even at the tender age of ten I could recognize a terrible film with actors I admired trapped inside it. There's a big difference between playing a not-too-bright character skillfully, and playing a pointless buffoon.
How much of a masochist am I? Enough to re-watch this piece of crud again, 40 years later, when I spotted it online. The ten-year-old me still wanted to cry for my old TV friends, but the 50-year-old me, fortified with copious amounts of cheap wine, managed to appreciate the amusing aspects of Leon Askin's character being Werner Klemperer's flunky instead of the other way around, and to enjoy John Banner's performance the man never missed; I can't understand why he never won an Emmy. Klemperer in his underwear groping a mostly-naked Elke Sommer was just gross whose idea was it to give Sommer's character the last name of 'Schultz', providing Klemperer the unenviable challenge of saying lines like "my darling Schultz"? We get it; it's a gimmick film with a gimmick cast, and that's about as subtle as a sledgehammer between the eyes. I'm sorry, Mr. Klemperer; you were better than that.
And Bob Crane was there. Mostly being Bob Crane. Nothing much to report.
I'd love to see the Rifftrax guys get their hands on this one someday.
I saw this on TV when I was about 10 years old and a rabid Hogan's Heroes fan. I was horrified. Yes, even at the tender age of ten I could recognize a terrible film with actors I admired trapped inside it. There's a big difference between playing a not-too-bright character skillfully, and playing a pointless buffoon.
How much of a masochist am I? Enough to re-watch this piece of crud again, 40 years later, when I spotted it online. The ten-year-old me still wanted to cry for my old TV friends, but the 50-year-old me, fortified with copious amounts of cheap wine, managed to appreciate the amusing aspects of Leon Askin's character being Werner Klemperer's flunky instead of the other way around, and to enjoy John Banner's performance the man never missed; I can't understand why he never won an Emmy. Klemperer in his underwear groping a mostly-naked Elke Sommer was just gross whose idea was it to give Sommer's character the last name of 'Schultz', providing Klemperer the unenviable challenge of saying lines like "my darling Schultz"? We get it; it's a gimmick film with a gimmick cast, and that's about as subtle as a sledgehammer between the eyes. I'm sorry, Mr. Klemperer; you were better than that.
And Bob Crane was there. Mostly being Bob Crane. Nothing much to report.
I'd love to see the Rifftrax guys get their hands on this one someday.
unbelievably bad
Andy Sandfoss9 February 2002
I suppose if you think prison camps in Nazi Germany are funny, then Communist East Germany must be equally comical (Berlin Wall, Iron Curtain, and all that jazz). On rare occasions, a comic genius can turn such human degradations as dictatorships into deft, insightful comedies (such as Woody Allen did with "Don't Drink the Water"). But the people involved in these two "comedy" projects were considerably less talented, and just incredible in their callousness. The TV series "Hogan's Heroes" mocked POW's sufferings by suggesting that their captors were easily bamboozled imbeciles. This film is even more mocking and disrespectful toward Germans who desperately wanted to flee the Marxist tyranny (many of whom gave their lives in the process). Elke Sommers is not to blame; at the time she was paid to be the dimwitted sex object in film after film, and that is precisely what she is here. But this makes her unbelievable as a world-class athlete; she lacks the stamina and mental toughness such people possess. Bob Crane plays up to his abilities (more precisely, DOWN to his INabilities); nothing else could be expected of him except low-brow burlesque. Werner Klemperer really amazes me, though. How such an obviously intelligent man could content himself with such cartoonish nonsense roles as Col. Klink and this pathetic Marxist clod is simply beyond me. How depressing!
Join Paula Schultz! Why not?
JohnHowardReid22 October 2012
Warning: Spoilers
"Join Paula Schultz and have a wicked dream!" this movie's original movie advertisements advised potential customers -- well, one set anyway. There were actually two advertising campaigns. The other asked potential patrons; "Did you ever see a dream running? Jumping? Stripping? Hiding? Not Hiding? You can jump with her! Play with her! Love with her! An Edward Small production." Well, "small" is right. Here's Bob Crane and company from the small screen joining Elke in this escapade. As far as real movies (not television pap) are concerned, Mr Crane is a nonentity. And as a leading man for Elke, he deserves even less than zero. But Werner Klemperer manages a few glorious moments as a bumbling East German agent.
So, what this all boils down to is that if you like Elke Sommer (you can count me in!), you'll enjoy "The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz". She is the chief delight of this lightweight, old-fashioned comedy. Alluringly attired and fetchingly disrobed, Miss Sommer is never less than seductive.
At 113 minutes, the movie's running time seems somewhat overstretched, but, for the most part, director George Marshall manages to keep it moving breezily and amiably.
So, what this all boils down to is that if you like Elke Sommer (you can count me in!), you'll enjoy "The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz". She is the chief delight of this lightweight, old-fashioned comedy. Alluringly attired and fetchingly disrobed, Miss Sommer is never less than seductive.
At 113 minutes, the movie's running time seems somewhat overstretched, but, for the most part, director George Marshall manages to keep it moving breezily and amiably.
Elke
januszlvii2 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The only reason to watch The Wicked Dreams Of Paula Schultz is to see Elke Sommer. She is unbelievably beautiful and her films except The Prize and A Shot In The Dark are not often screened so if you have EPIX take advantage. The biggest problem with that movie is Bob Crane's Bill Mason. For those who enjoyed the show Hogan's Heroes and I did, you know Hogan was an arrogant jerk ( except towards Schultz ( John Banner.) and. Hilda ( Sigrid Valdis ( Crane's real life wife)). He was more arrogant in this film and that along with the fact the movie is terribly dated ( no more East Germany), and a missed opportunity.with four members of the Hogans Heroes cast: Besides Crane you have Werner. Klemperer ( Klaus), Banner ( Weber) and Leon Askin (Oscar), a good idea about a defecting athlete in Paula Schultz (Elke) and a very good director in George Marshall it falls apart because of the slapstick humor ( including Crane in drag). The best scenes are Elke without Crane followed by those with Crane and those without Elke are unwatchable ( especially you guessed it Crane's). There is a Hogans Heroes reference when Weber ( possibly accidentally but probably not) refers to Klaus as Kommadant ( after Klemperer's Col. Klink)). Spoilers ahead: As you can imagine Paula and Bill do end up together ( What guy would not want in her prime Elke ( the hottest woman of that era ( except Elsa Martinelli and Ann-Margaret)). 3/10 stars ( all for Elke.
A Funny 1960's Cold War Comedy with four stars of Hogan's Heroes
dmdokc18 May 2014
This movie, like many comedy pictures from earlier in the sixties and the prior decade, includes some slapstick humor, a guy and a girl being pursued by bad guys, and a series of romantic misunderstandings that lead to outlandish situations and humorous dialog. In addition to that, add some major characters from Hogan's Heroes to a film that, again, pokes fun at some seriously misguided Germans, and you have a picture that is fun to watch, for those who get it. The setting for the picture is Germany in the cold war era, so in this case, the bumbling villains are East German communists instead of world war two Nazis.
This movie is probably not for everyone. If you are not fond of fifties and sixties romantic comedies that substitute somewhat risqué innuendo for graphic sex scenes, then you may find this movie to be too mild. If you thought that Hogan's Heroes' theme of mocking Europe's second world war oppressors was in poor taste, then you may find this film to be just as distasteful. If you hold the view that soviet communism was a great idea that was misunderstood and you can't wait for Vladimir Putin to restore it to eastern Europe, then you will probably hate this movie. However, if you are not among those who hold such views, then you may find that this picture contains some enjoyably ironic humor and is fun to watch. Just sit back and enjoy this light comedy with Bob Crane and Elke Sommer.
This movie is probably not for everyone. If you are not fond of fifties and sixties romantic comedies that substitute somewhat risqué innuendo for graphic sex scenes, then you may find this movie to be too mild. If you thought that Hogan's Heroes' theme of mocking Europe's second world war oppressors was in poor taste, then you may find this film to be just as distasteful. If you hold the view that soviet communism was a great idea that was misunderstood and you can't wait for Vladimir Putin to restore it to eastern Europe, then you will probably hate this movie. However, if you are not among those who hold such views, then you may find that this picture contains some enjoyably ironic humor and is fun to watch. Just sit back and enjoy this light comedy with Bob Crane and Elke Sommer.
Boy did I get on the wrong side of the wall!
mark.waltz4 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Cartoonish anti-communist propaganda dealing with an escapee from East Berlin (Elke Sommer) or tries to hide from those pursuing her (the German buffoons) from Stalag 13, aided by none other than Colonel Hogan himself, Bob Crane. Paula Schultz )Sommer) is a famous East German athlete, longing for freedom on the western side of the wall, and doing whatever she can to be prevented from having to go back. This is definitely made with the fans of "Hogan's Heroes" in mind (naamely naughty teenage boys), and with Werner Klemperer, John Banner and Leon asking as the witless Communists after her, Sommer has an easy time of getting away from them. The film starts with her dealing with a masculine woman three times her size getting beaten up by the diminutive Sommer (or at least her tent sized skirt constantly ripped off), then finding herself on the other side of the wall where she meets Crane and leads the three idiotic men on a wild goose chase.
Every time one of the three men yells out "Schultz!", it's a reminder of Banner's character from the successful sitcom, and of course, he's the most lovable of the three clowns. Joey Foreman and Maureen Arthur co-star as Crane's best buddy and his girlfriend, a silly couple that takes away valuable time from Sommer and Crane. I'll give this to him credit for a few things. Having seen in years ago and enjoyed laughing at and with him, I laughed at it again. It's also certainly a lot better than Crane's Disney fiasco "Superdad". This is a great movie to watch when you're just in the mood for something really silly and and impish, just like you would be if you watch the "Hogan's Heroes" marathon. It's obvious that this was going to get killed by the critics, but it can be a guilty pleasure for others who can enjoy it in spite of being, to quote Arte Johnson's German Soldier on "Laugh-In", Very interesting, but stupid!"
Every time one of the three men yells out "Schultz!", it's a reminder of Banner's character from the successful sitcom, and of course, he's the most lovable of the three clowns. Joey Foreman and Maureen Arthur co-star as Crane's best buddy and his girlfriend, a silly couple that takes away valuable time from Sommer and Crane. I'll give this to him credit for a few things. Having seen in years ago and enjoyed laughing at and with him, I laughed at it again. It's also certainly a lot better than Crane's Disney fiasco "Superdad". This is a great movie to watch when you're just in the mood for something really silly and and impish, just like you would be if you watch the "Hogan's Heroes" marathon. It's obvious that this was going to get killed by the critics, but it can be a guilty pleasure for others who can enjoy it in spite of being, to quote Arte Johnson's German Soldier on "Laugh-In", Very interesting, but stupid!"
Very fun film that hasn't been given a chance by the Critics!!!
Guy_Waverly1 May 2009
My brother and I watched this movie many, many years ago and although it is not going to win any Academy Award, we both thought it was an extremely funny and entertaining movie. The fact that many of the characters were actors from the "Hogan's Heroes" series just added to the fun. Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, John Banner, Leon Askin showed that they could once again act together to provide an hilarious set of circumstances that just keeps you laughing. "The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz" in my opinion has a fast paced comedy feel that is reminiscent of the James Cagney movie "One, Two' Three." I wish that there was enough interest to get this movie transferred to DVD because it is worth a watch. Not to mention that Elke Summer isn't bad to look at either.
Elke Sommers at her best
Hamlet653222 June 2007
This trashy cheap comedy has only one reason to be preserved. That saving grace is Elke Sommers. Elke is the most beautiful actress in Hollywood. Her costumes were amazing. They showed so much but still concealed. She is constantly losing her clothes in delightful ways. The scene in the white satin dress is the stuff that dreams are made of. Her expressions, her voice, her accent, her hair, her eyes...I can watch that scene over & over again. That sounds adolescent, but I was an adolescent when I first watched this film. Elke had many other good scenes:her fight with agent outside the club was fun as were the high jump over the tower of bottles; dancing on the bed wearing a bedspread;the torn dress that belonged to Forman's wife (who is also quite comely in a different way). So why not give it a ten? Because the awful script & the clumsy antics of the East German agents rate a 0. I will give it +1 for Joey Forman's believability and +7 for Elke. In summary, not an ounce of appeal for women and only has appeal for men who still recall their adolescent dreams.
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