Vampire Ecstasy hits DVD in the UK

In January 2013 Medium Rare Entertainment will be releasing "Vampire Ecstasy" (aka "Der Fluch der schwarzen Schwestern") on DVD in the UK for the first time ever!

They might want to correct the spelling here...

Surprisingly, this disc will contain the uncut 103 minute version.  Sole extra included is a documentary on Joseph Sarno, titled "A touch of horror".

Here are the BBFC's previous and most recent judgements on the film.

Ulrike's "muschi" comes to DVD!

Although "Muschimaus mag's grad heraus" (aka "Jagdzeit für Naschkatzen") played in German theatres in 1974, this Hubert Frank sexploitation comedy apparently never saw a legit release on VHS anywhere, which makes it one of the rarest and least seen films ever to feature Ulrike Butz.  A frustrating fact for fans, since playing the lead character gave Ulrike the opportunity to truly display her thespian skills, thus making it one of her most important films.

Walter Potganski from moviemax GmbH in Munich is in possession of a used 35mm positive print of "Muschimaus..." which will be the source for the upcoming and highly anticipated DVD, sceduled for release sometime next year.  A very exciting event, as this will be the first time the film has ever been available on any type of home video format!
Given that no negative or interpositive could be located, you can't expect it to look pristine and sound crisp, but from what I've heard and seen so far the overall quality seems considerably better than I had initially anticipated.  Unfortunately the soundtrack was dubbed in post, a common practice for this type of film from that era.

Being an avid film buff and collector, I do have a few concerns...
I sincerely hope that the movie will be fully uncut and any print damage won't result in frames being tossed out.
Also, looking at some screen caps from the digital transfer I noticed that the aspect ratio here is a bit off, as the image is somewhat stretched horizontally - a technical flaw that can be easily fixed before the final authoring stages. [see EDIT below]

I will try to keep you informed regarding the details of this release, it's a must have!
Meanwhile, here are some screen caps from "Muschimaus mag's grad heraus" to give you a little taste of what's to come.

Screenshots © moviemax GmbH München

EDIT:
The aspect ratio issue is most likely the result of the software used to take these screen caps.  The film itself will have the correct aspect ratio on DVD.

New blog on Ulrike's films

Good news for anyone who's interested in the individual films Ulrike starred in - there is a new website out there!
Fellow blogger tian1806's intentions are to provide more detailed specs such as release dates, alternate titles and various pictures for every single film that featured Ulrike.

You can visit the site here.

I applaud your enthousiasm and wish you the best of luck on the project!

Lobby Cards #2

Uli in Color #2

Although I haven't posted in quite a while, be sure to revisit previous posts, as I often expand them with more details and pictures.

The Story - update #2

Ulrike Butz was born on 1st July 1954 in Frankfurt am Main.  She was raised in Miesbach, Bayern (Bavaria) by her parents Hermann and Ingeborg.  As a teenager she left home to travel through Southern Europe and ended up in München (Munich) where she first stood naked in front of a camera at the tender age of seventeen.

After her father had found out about her dubious career and drug addiction, he tracked his daughter down and selflessly provided her with everything she needed to kick her destructive habit, including a nice apartment and opportunities to broaden her education.

Because she continued to relapse after several stays in rehab facilities, he even changed his will, making sure Ulrike would only become a beneficiary if she successfully could remain clean and sober for at least a whole year.

Desolately, when Hermann Butz died in 1976 of a stroke at the early age of 54, Ulrike was doing time in jail on theft charges.

When she was released six months later, she regretted having let down her father and tried desperately to change her ways.

Either she was too weak, or the lure of the high was too strong, because in September 1979 she was arrested again for carrying pot.

Closing the Aichach prison doors behind her six months later, she was greeted by an old friend.  Together they tried to make ends meat through cleaning chores and waiting on tables.  While their humble home consisted of a tiny room with just the bare necessities, the upside was that Ulrike maintained sobriety throughout.

This relationship would even spawn a baby boy.

Ulrike in 1980, finally able to smile again.

 

In 1981, she did legally inherit a large sum of money from her father's estate, which she partly used to set up her own costume rental shop in Neuhausen, a business that ultimately did not survive.

The proud owner of a costume rental store.

In early 1988, it is believed a then 33-year-old Ulrike was spotted by an old acquaintance, standing in line at the welfare office in München.

Ulrike Butz died on 27th August 2000, at the age of 46.

NOTES:

Here you can find the initial biography and update #1.

Ulrike's IMDb page has also been updated in light of these new findings.

 

SOURCES:

Official city archive records
Neue Revue, July 1980
AZ, May 1988

A huge thanks goes to Michael Rüdel for providing me with lots of leads and information.

Neues Film-Programme

Sadly, movie programs are endangered publications, mostly found in Europe.
They are the predecessors of today's souvenir magazines and could be obtained as accompanying booklets for the movie at the cinemas' cash desks.

Pressbooks

 

 

 

 

SCHULMÄDCHEN-REPORT 4.TEIL

 

 

ALPENGLÜHN IM DIRNDLROCK

 

 


NOTE:
These are excerpts from the original German pressbooks.  Click pics to enlarge.