Ulrike Butz - Die Kino Werbetafel

I started this blog in 2011, hoping to find out more about illustrious actress Ulrike Butz.

Thanks to many people coming forward with information, we all did get to know more about her (you know who you are, and I'm very grateful to this day).

It appears that I (we) accomplished raising attention to her persona which was much deserved, yet it seems to have somehow backlashed.  For many years e-commerce trading websites like e-Bay have featured a plethora of offers carrying Ulrike's name, having very little or absolutely nothing to do with her.  Very questionable pictures and 'autographs' have sold for a lot of money.  Allegedly her name has become a commodity by now, which I honestly somewhat deplore.

That brings me to the following item: Ulrike currently has her own Kino Star Werbetafel.  Although much of the text obviously was copied from this blog without credit or consent, it does please me to witness this continuing interest in her.  She is, and will remain, the undisputed queen of German sexploitation.

Uli in HD #4

Unexpectedly, a Blu-ray was released in Germany of "Junge Mädchen mögen's Heiss, Hausfrauen noch Heisser", also known as "Hot Dogs und Bananeneis", starring Ingrid Steeger and Ulrike Butz.

As this German film from 1973 never saw a home video release since VHS, I was excited to add it to my collection.  Ulrike in high definition is always a treat!  However, there are some issues.

The film is presented in its original 1.66:1 aspect ratio, but the source is obviously a somewhat faded print.  This results in skin tones being on the magenta side and plenty of jump cuts due to missing frames.  Scratches and tramlines are also present throughout.

Moreover, the entire film is washed in a yellow hue, which could have been easily fixed.

Contrast is off as well, making blacks rather grey, while whites are mostly crushed.

Screenshots below were taken with my phone as the disc is copy protected.  Trust me, they look a lot better than the actual disc.

Overall, I applaud any kind of new release featuring Ulrike and I wish many more would see the light of day.  This one is limited to 1000 (numbered) pieces, so better hurry should you want it anyway.

Ulrike looks stunning in this!

EDIT: 

Apparently this release is also cut by 2 minutes, see the comment section.

In September Cargo released a limited DVD based on the same film print as the blu-ray.  Sadly no color correction was applied, but they chose to include the missing parts from a VHS source, making this edition uncut.

Oktoberfest! Da kann man fest... (1973) - Die Kino Werbetafel

Ulrike's 'autograph' #2

Well, the same seller (see post below) has listed another autographed picture of Ulrike on e-Bay for auction.

While clearly the handwriting is identical, evidently it's not Ulrike on that lobbycard.

Although this doesn't necessarily prove both are fake, it does raise an eyebrow or two.  Would she blindly sign any picture, even if she's not in it?  In the exact same manner?  Is it a coincidence suddenly more autographed pictures appear, or does the previous selling price has something to do with it?

I would gladly hear from anyone who can somehow authenticate this.

UPDATE: this one sold for € 527,88

click to enlarge

Ulrike's 'autograph' sells for € 251

Recently, an autographed picture of Ulrike was auctioned on e-Bay.

Being interested - yet a bit hesitant and suspicious - I got in touch with the seller who couldn't verify its authenticity either, as some of these autographed pictures from the same collection were bought from others.  With really nothing else to compare it to, I did however place a very serious bid.

Although ultimately I didn't win, I was very pleased to see it go for such a high price, confirming there is still a huge interest in all things Ulrike.

Congratulations to the new owner!

click to enlarge

Uli in HD #3

Rather infamous cult label Dark Force is releasing "Was Schulmädchen verschweigen" on Blu-ray!

Although it's part of their 'drive-in' series, they apparently used a 4K master of the original uncut camera negative instead of the usual ragged 35mm print, so expectations are high.  Sadly, only the English audio is presented here.

It does however include a second feature, the more family-oriented "Wacky Taxi" from 1972 starring John Astin.

EDIT:

By now it's been confirmed this is actually the US version, meaning it's certainly not uncut nor a scan from the OCN.  Many shots have also been cropped to hide nudity.

So although it's a real treat to see Ulrike in full High Definition, it goes to show you can never take the word of a pseudo-wrestler accompanied by a diabetic dressed in a banana suit.

Uli behind-the-scenes

Martin Hentschel, author of this book, made an interesting video titled "Das traurige Schicksal der Ulrike Butz (1954-2000)".

It features some very rare behind-the-scenes footage from the set of "Liebesgrüße aus der Lederhose II. Teil: Zwei Kumpel auf der Alm", with Ulrike and director Franz Marischka!

 

 

Some screenshots:

 

 

 

Christina on Ulrike

A short while ago I was fortunate enough to meet the lovely Christina Lindberg:

 

"Exposed" (1971)

 

"Thriller - A Cruel Picture" (1973)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To my current knowledge, this beautiful Swedish brunette shared screen credits with Ulrike on six films, yet they only actually appeared together on screen once, when their characters meet briefly in a hallway in "Liebe in 3 Dimensionen" (1973).

 

So when I asked Christina about Ulrike, I was surprised that she instantly remembered her! 

She claims by the time they met on set, Ulrike was already a well known 'star'. 

However, the two of them didn't really get to know each other well, since at that time lots of girls got in and out of the business so fast, there was no point in making friends.

As I told Christina the news of Ulrike's passing, she seemed genuinely affected.  It appears she had no knowledge of Ulrike's unhealthy habits, but wasn't that surprised by it either.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to Christina Lindberg for taking the time to talk to me and sign loads of my stuff!

Lobby Cards #5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lobby Cards #4

 

 

 

 

Uli in HD #2

The first review of the upcoming Blu-ray of "Der Fluch der schwarzen Schwestern" is in, and it looks very promising!  You can read it here, at Mondo Digital.

Pre-orders can be made at Amazon or Diabolik, whichever tickles your fancy. 

The Blu-ray also features Joe Sarno's rarely seen 1962 effort "Sin You Sinners" and will be officialy released on October 25th.

 

Yes, that's Ulrike on the cover!

 

Just a reminder: the lovely Marie Forså is in this as well!!

 

Uli in HD

It looks like Film Media will be releasing "Der Fluch der schwarzen Schwestern" on Blu-ray!

Video Watchdog's Tim Lucas will be involved, as he posted the news on his site.

Not much else is known yet, since the release date is set for 4th October 2016.

Hopefully it will feature a restored uncut version in its correct aspect ratio.

The Story - update #3 : A Life in Pictures

Ulrike Butz was born in Miesbach (the Southern part of Bavaria) where she grew up in this house:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When she was 11 years old, her family moved less than 2 miles North, to a more secluded area nearby a huge lake:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After her parents divorced, Ulrike stayed with her mother, as she and her boyfriend at the time rented this beautiful home around 1969:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was fortunate enough to talk to the owner, who built this house himself.

He remembered renting it out to the Butz family and claimed they only lived there for about a year or two.

Sadly, the owner can't remember any particular stories and doesn't have any photographs depicting Ulrike, yet he does recall the house always being filled with free-spirited folks, hanging out in their bathing suits and bikinis, having a good time. 

He also learned through the neigborhood grapevine (a very small community) that Ulrike was making films of a sexy nature, meaning she was already acting before moving to Munich on her own!

So apparently she didn't just run away without any kind of plan or prospects, as implied in 'The Story'.

He confirmed Ulrike's mother is no longer alive, but has no information regarding her siblings.

 

 

                                                - - - - - - - O - - - - - - -

 

 

Very likely, one of these early films she made while still living at home was "Die dressierte Frau" (1972) which was shot in Munich.  More precisely here:

 

And some more:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This area around Munich's Nikolaiplatz was frequently used in other films which starred Ulrike:

 

"Liebe in 3 Dimensionen" (1973) co-starring Ingrid Steeger.

 

"Mädchen, die nach München kommen" (1972) co-starring Christina Lindberg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of "Mädchen, die nach München kommen", here is another location from that film:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                - - - - - - - O - - - - - - -

 

 

In 2000 Ulrike passed away and her remains were cremated here:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Her ashes were scattered anonymously on these grounds, so there is no marked grave. 

Only dust.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Locations from "Die dressierte Frau" were provided by ulrikebutz-club blogspot.

Click on any picture to enlarge.