Horst in Translation ([email protected]) "Der Teufel kam aus Akasava" or "The Devil Came from Akasava" is a West German co-production with Spain and the director here is the notable Jesús Franco. He is also one of the writers and he worked together on adapting the Edgar Wallace work with Ladislas Fodor and Arne Elsholtz who died earlier this year and looking for what Elsholtz is mostly known, you'd be a bit surprised to see him work on a Franco film. Then again, this 85-minute movie is not the typical Franco either. He is a bit restrained with nudity here, even if he is working with his two muses Miranda and Strömberg. Fred Williams also worked with Franco on other projects, but the most known cast member is Horst Tappert for sure. But even if Franco clearly intended this film a bit more serious than he usually does, the story about the ability to turn metal into gold never feels really authentic from start to finish. But hey, who would complain about that if we see the gorgeous and ill-fated Soledad Miranda in here on several occasions with little clothes on (she was already dead when the film was released). But unfortunately, she is not the undisputed main character in here as she is in several other Franco films. So yeah, her looks and Tappert's approach to the character make for some decent moments while watching the movie. But the story overall and also the way pretty much all the characters were written make this another forgettable Franco movie and in the end it is even more difficult to appreciate this film as a bit of a guilty pleasure, because Franco takes his work unusually seriously here on many occasions, which he usually doesn't do. Maybe the reason is the Edgar Wallace base material. I personally give it a thumbs-down. Not a complete failure, but also far from a convincing watch. Not recommended.

Red-Barracuda This spy film from prolific exploitation director Jess Franco is probably most notable for being the final film the gorgeous actress Soledad Miranda appeared in before her untimely and tragic death very soon afterwards. In this one she is a secret service agent who goes undercover as a go-go dancer in order to track down international criminals who stole a precious mineral that can turn base metals into gold and people into zombie-like creatures. It's a nonsense plot-line, although it's one of the more plot-driven films I have actually seen Franco attempt.Its strengths lie in other areas, most notably Miranda, who is easily the best thing about this. Like in all the Franco films she starred in, she once again displays an effortless magnetism and sensuality. The very fact that she operates partially as a stripper of course plays up the latter aspect quite a bit but like her other appearances in erotic roles, it always feels somewhat classy with Soledad. Aside from her there is a regular gaggle of stock Euro actors who will be very familiar to anyone who has seen other Franco films from the period. Also in common with those films is the soundtrack of glorious kitsch groovetastic sounds. So essentially seek this out if you either (a) appreciate this very particular brand of retro lounge music or (b) like Soledad Miranda (who wouldn't?) or (c) must see all things Franco (in which case you're probably insane but in a good way). It's not as good as other Franco/Miranda collaborations such as Vampyros Lesbos or She Killed in Ecstasy but it still has enough about it to make it an entertaining watch.

JoeytheBrit This German flick is so full of cheese you're likely to have nightmares if you watch it straight before bed. It's another of the infamous Jess Franco's ultra-cheap B-pictures featuring the usual gratuitous female nudity, the comedy music score - which usually bears no relevance to what is happening on the screen - and the muddled plot which is reputedly based on an Edgar Wallace story. Enjoyable only for its sheer naffness, and some fetching young ladies, this is apparently one of Franco's better efforts. The suggestion it is meant to be a spoof of Bond-type espionage flicks, however, is as outlandish as some of the men's fashion on display.

Scarecrow-88 The assistant of Professor Forrestor(Ángel Menéndez)is murdered after retrieving a special mineral encased within the stone walling of a cave in Akasava. It is a jewel of a find because this radioactive mineral can turn metal into gold..a priceless item to have which obviously brings great wealth and power to the one who possesses it. Forrestor himself is infected by the radioactivity when he finds his assistant dead after someone entered his home where the man lay dying while he was out hunting a doctor nearby. In Akasava, Dr. Andrew Thorrsen(Horst Tappert)is quite a man of renown for his work with mysterious cases where men seem to have came down with some sort of disease that effects their sleep and skin. His wife, Ingrid(Ewa Strömberg)assists him. When Pro. Forrestor comes up missing, his nephew Rex(Fred Williams)comes to Akasava for answers towards his disappearance. This is where he meets secret agent Jane(the lovely Soledad Miranda who has a magnificent body)posing as an exotic dancer pretending to be the wife of Dr. Henry(Paul Muller)also an agent undercover. Sir Philip(Siegfried Schürenberg)is asked by a friend and colleague, Lord Kingsley(Walter Rilla), a man of great wealth and power, to find Professor Forrestor as a favor. Kingsley has kept the clinic in Akasava going while also keeping Professor Forrestor's research project funded. Perhaps, Kingsley has a greater interest in the grand scheme of things than realized. His wife, Lady Abigail(Blandine Ebinger)is only all too eager and willing to assist her husband in all manners of business when it comes to benefiting financially. He also has a "valet" who assists him, a very gruff, quietly menace named Humphrey(Howard Vernon). Meanwhile, Rex becomes acquainted with an undercover Secret service agent, Tino(director Jesus Franco himself)while slowly falling in lust with Jane. But, Rex is being shot at while those around him(..and Jane)are being killed off by someone hidden away behind cracked doors with only the tip of a pistol sticking it's nose out.Not a bad little mystery thriller with spy elements that has the feel of a giallo. It's LOW, LOW budget does mar Franco's serious attempts at creating a good spy film. The film strip definitely shows wear and certain edits show unevenness as one scene follows another. The cast is decent enough, with Miranda's naked flesh the film's brightest asset. The dubbing is lacking in quality, but no more so that the quality of the presented product itself which time has not been kind to. Perhaps, it just shows that Franco was willing to make this film on whatever film strip he could get his hands on and with however much money was afforded to him.