The Goal Of This Blog


THE GOAL OF THIS BLOG

The internet provides mankind with an abundance of information. Though the quality and accuracy may leave much to be desired, when used properly you may end up with pretty interesting stuff.
So my hopes weren't very high when searching for any information regarding actress Ulrike Butz, in my humble opinion the undisputed queen of German sexploitation. Yet, even with such low expectations, what I did find was utterly disappointing: an almost blank profile on IMDb (save a filmography) and a couple of small pictures from the films she starred in. That's it. No date or place of birth, no biographical information of any kind, no interviews, no candid pictures, no film reviews elaborating on her career or personal life.
I extended my search and was able to buy some more films, movie memorabilia and more interestingly, a few magazines that included unique pictures and interviews. Although I wouldn't exactly describe nudie- and tabloid magazines as trustworthy sources.

So this is my last resort. This blog is purely intended as a communication platform that will hopefully lead to more information.
Should you, dear reader, be in possession of any bit of information regarding Ulrike, I would greatly appreciate you sharing it with me, and with that the whole world, so I can ultimately change this blog's title to something along the lines of "The Ultimate And Only Source On The Net For All Things Ulrike". Together, maybe we can fill a huge overlooked hole in the world wide web.
To increase the chance at any kind of success with this obvious long shot, I will post whatever I already DO know, along with pictures and anything else that may trigger someone else's memory or interest.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

27th August 2000 - 2015

Let us commemorate the unfortunate day Ulrike shuffled off this mortal coil, exactly
15 years ago.
Although she was only 46, she left a modest yet notable legacy for us to cherish till the
end of time.

Monday, April 13, 2015

Qui? Police - issue 123, 1981

"Qui? Police" was a weekly French magazine containing crime related news articles.
Published between 1979 and 1982, it presented contemporary stories as a detective novel, failing to mention any kind of source.  Often writers placed themselves in the participating role of a direct witness rather than adopting the investigative approach of a reporter.
So its contents can be called dubious at the very least.

Issue 123 published on 28th May 1981 saw Ulrike on the cover stating: "The announcer prostitutes herself at night in a brothel".


























The article itself makes claims ranging from doubtful to outright preposterous.
It tries to convince us that Ulrike begged her father to make her an announcer on a television station, which she apparantly became at age 19.  Her rise in fame led to parties where she was introduced to various drugs resulting in a destructive heroin addiction.  Desperately in need of money for her next fix, she got lured into shooting porn films (sometimes simulated) sporting a wig and a pseudonym, while resuming her career in broadcasting.




















Still not earning enough cash, she then followed a friend's advice and became a lady of the night.  While working at a Hanover brothel as a prostitute she got a surprise visit from her father, to whom she confessed all of her troubles.  When short after her father passed away, she was left behind all alone and attempted suicide.
Yes, that is where this "story" ends.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

"Speedball" uses Ulrike's life as a template

I'm very pleased to see more people are becoming aware of Ulrike's life and career and are in some way inspired by it.

Compagnie de Comédie will put on a stage play titled "Speedball - Vom Leinwandstrip zum Drogentrip" premiering on 04-09-2014 in Rostock.
Director Fabian Ranglack informed me that this play is (very loosely) based on the life and career of Ulrike Butz.


























From the press release:
"Ulrike Butz, one of the most wanted actresses in the German sexfilmindustry of the early seventies, died in 2000 at the age of 46.
She, the pretty girl from next door, who had high ambitions and dreamed of the big breakthrough when she left her parents house at 17, has become a tragic symbol of a filmindustry that shamelessly used the dreams of young girls for moneymaking purposes.
But SPEEDBALL is no biography of Ulrike Butz, neither a portait of the early seventies. It is simply the story of a young girl who went out into the world to become famous - at any cost ...  This year she would have celebrated her 60th birthday.

Eins hat Daria Elena Hasse, die die Rolle der Ulrike übernimmt, mit ihrer darzustellenden Figur gemein: Sie kennt den nervenaufreibenden Kampf eine anerkannte Schauspielerin zu werden: Das Tingeln von Schauspielschule zu Schauspielschule, die Castings, die Selbstzweifel ... Die 19jährige hat bei der Compagnie de Comédie ihr freies kulturelles Jahr absolviert und stellt mit dieser Inszenierung ihre Abschlussarbeit vor."

Contact details:
Tel.: 0381 / 20 36 084
E-mail: info@compagnie-de-comedie.de

Monday, August 25, 2014

"Kumpelfilme" book features Ulrike

Author Martin Hentschel informed me that his latest book "Lass jucken! Die Kumpelfilme der 1970er" is on sale now.  Not only is Ulrike featured on the cover, there is a chapter devoted to her as well!
As I haven't read it yet, it's too early for any comments, although it's nice to see her being acknowledged.

 

Taschenbuch: 364 Seiten
Verlag: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; Auflage: 1 (16. August 2014)
Sprache: Deutsch
Grösse: 20,3 x 13,3 x 1,9 cm

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Ulrike Butz: the exhibition

During the 32nd Filmfestival in Munich, a gorgeous and colorful exhibition celebrating Ulrike Butz's career took place at the City Kino cinema from 27th June to 5th July.
On display were various original film posters, lobby cards and magazine article clippings.

I'm forever grateful to Michael M. Rüdel for organizing and executing this amazing concept – another giant leap forward in educating and exposing the general public to a somewhat forgotten era and star actress, who would've turned 60 earlier this month.
My sincerest thanks goes out to everyone who contributed in making this heart-warming tribute a reality.



 
 



















All pictures courtesy of Ulrich Karrenbach
Concept and realization by Michael M. Rüdel

Monday, March 31, 2014

Finally...

... it has arrived!
You can still read my review of the film here.