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[Christoph Nestel]

Dear Ken !

You are familiar with film libraries of various rights owners throughout the UK and the USA. Perhaps you may have a hint for me, who may be rights owner of THE DEVIL'S DAFFODIL today and if there may be any chance to get a copy of it. The Film was released in the UK in August 1961. Production Company was Omnia Pictures Ltd., London; Producers were Steven Pallos and Donald Taylor. Distributor was British Lion Film Corp Ltd., London. Directed by Akos Rathonyi; Starring William Lucas, Penelope Horner, Albert Lieven, Colin Jeavons and Marius Goring beneath Christopher Lee. In the USA it was released as DAFFODIL KILLER in 1967. The British Cinema Source Book states that the BFI has no copy of it. It was never released on video. Was it ever screened on British or American Television ? I desperately need a copy of it. Can anybody help ?

Thank you very much,

Christoph

[KEN BARNES]

Hi Christoph,

You've certainly come up with a beauty this time. This is indeed a tough one to find. I'm up to my eyes at the moment on a new DVD project for Universal. But I've put out some feelers on this film. The director is Akos Rathony and the film is also known as "Daffodil Killer." I am working at the moment with BFI so I'll ask them if they have it listed under that title. I'll be in touch in due course.

Best
Ken

[Christoph Nestel]

Thanks for your message. THE DEVIL'S DAFFODIL is very interesting for various reasons.

In the early 60s writer Edgar Wallace gained hugest popularity in Germany when adaptions of his novels for the big screen initiated the most successful and long-living movie series German cinema ever had. Between 1959 and 1972 altogether 38 Wallace "Krimis" (the German word for crime) were produced. What "James Bond" was for the British that time, "Edgar Wallace" was in Germany. The two series even melted when Wallace stars Gert Fröbe, Karin Dor and Ilse Steppat had their entries within the Bond series.

Only four films were produced in arrangement with British film companies and shot on location in Britain in English language. THE DEVIL'S DAFFODIL was simultaneously shot in two different versions as well in English and German with some of the actors recast for each country. Christopher Lee, Marius Goring, Albert Lieven and Peter Illing were also starring in the German version DAS GEHEIMNIS DER GELBEN NARZISSEN (The Secret of the Yellow Daffodils) speaking their own lines in German; they were not dubbed. This version is available on video e.g. via amazon.de.

Jan Hendriks and Ingrid van Bergen also starred in the British version. Rumors say that popular Judy-Holliday-type van Bergen even did her song "Bei mir ist alles nur Natur" (It's all nature with me) as "But I haven't got a thing to hide" in English. But when a Wallace soundtrack anthology was issued several years ago, it was neither possible to get further information on composer Keith Papworth nor to locate a copy of van Bergen's English singing. I never heard it. Van Bergen's career stopped when she shot her husband drunken in 1977 and was set to prison for seven years.

Director Akos Rathony (aka Akos Rathonyi aka Akos Ratony aka Akos von Rathony) was born Hungarian and directed a certain 20 movies in Hungary before leaving to Hamburg in 1948, starting his work for Gyula Trebitsch's and Walter Koppel's Real Film company. In the mid 50s he moved to Britain and also worked as a director there. He was chosen for DAFFODILS because he had both British and German passports and that allowed easy arrangement for the co-production.

I guess it was only the second co-production between British and German companies since E.A. Duponts ATLANTIC (1929) and Joseph Loseys BLIND DATE (1958). It has a good story, fine performances, beautiful London photography by Desmond Dickinson and lots of good music. In my opinion it's one of the most interesting parts of Christopher Lee, too; also larger than in many other films of his. In our country it's a classic.

Best wishes,

Christoph

[KEN BARNES]

Dear Christoph,

As always, you come up with interesting facts. I must confess that I've never seen "The Devil's Daffodil," although I was aware of the importance of Edgar Wallace. Apart from his acceptance in Germany, there was a long-running series of Edgar Wallace Mysteries produced here in the U.K. during the late 1950s and early '60s. If memory serves, I believe they were produced at the now-defunct Merton Park Studios.

In the case of "Daffodil," I have to say you've whetted my appetite. Is this really a must-see film? If so, I'm becoming curious to see it. I'll keep digging for you in the hope that I can find the copyright oowners.

Thanks and good luck

Best
Ken

[Christoph Nestel]

Dear Ken,

I've never seen any of the British Merton Park Edgar Wallace movies. Eight of them were shown on television here in the late 60s but never screened again. I don't know if you would consider DAFFODILS to be a must-see, but it's definitely an entertaining little gem to enjoy for.

The story is developed fast-paced and tensive. Early 60s London by night with all its beauty and danger - captured by Dickinson with expressive shots - exitingly becomes essential part of the plot. Keith Papworth proves versatility as a composer. Tension themes and fine illustration and dance music accompany action effectively. The frivole song is just what you want for Ingrid van Bergen and leads her brittle charm to a shining expression. I don't know much about the qualities of William Lucas and Penelope Horner as I never saw any of them in a movie ever. Christopher Lee underlines his part with intelligent sense of humor and quiet tones. Albert Lieven is an inconsiderate businessman of deceitful friendliness. In the German version young Klaus Kinski gives an outstanding performance as ambivalent character of dependent weakness and disappointed life hunger. No idea about how Colin Jeavons would do in the British version.

If you like movies like Seth Holts TASTE OF FEAR, the MISS MARPLE films starring Margaret Rutherford or TV-series like THE AVENGERS you'll have great fun with this movie. You'll also enjoy to see Albert Lieven and Marius Goring. If you like Christopher Lee, may be this will become one of your favourites among his films. I guess with the huge popularity Christopher Lee has still today, a dvd release of course would be a good seller, too.

Best,

Christoph

[c.n.-tonfilm]

Dear Ken,

Did you manage to find out anything about THE DEVIL'S DAFFODIL and its current rights owner or where a print or the negative is held in the meantime ? I'd just need to know where I'd have to ask for it. I guess I would get a rights exemption from German rights owner to be supplied with a copy.

Best, Christoph

[Ken Barnes]

Dear Christoph,

I've had no luck in locating this film. Other than the information which I relayed to you earlier, the actual holders of this film are hard to find. However, I'm off to the USA next week for a brief business trip, I'll see what I can find out.

Best
Ken