Neues vom Hexer

Neues vom Hexer
Film poster
Directed by	Alfred Vohrer
Written by	Herbert Reinecker based on the novel by Edgar Wallace
Produced by	Horst Wendlandt
Starring	Heinz Drache
Cinematography	Karl Löb
Edited by	Jutta Hering
Music by	Peter Thomas
Production company	Rialto Film
Distributed by	Constantin Film
Release date	4 June 1965 (1965-06-04)
Running time	95 minutes
Country	West Germany
Language	German

Neues vom Hexer (lit. "News from the Sorcerer"), aka Again the Ringer, is a 1965 West German black-and-white crime film directed by Alfred Vohrer and starring Heinz Drache. It is part of a series of German screen adaptations of Edgar Wallace's thriller novels, and the direct sequel of the 1964 film Der Hexer. It was also known as The Ringer Returns.

Plot

The wealthy Lord Curtain is murdered by his nephew Archie Moore with the help of his butler Edwards. At the crime scene, Inspector Wesby (recruited by Sir John to replace Inspector Higgins) finds a calling card left by someone signing the Sorcerer. However the person in question (Arthur Milton) is in Australia at that moment and therefor feels compelled to travel to London with his wife Cora-Ann and his butler Finch to solve the case and clear himself of suspicion of murder, as a trial has been scheduled with him as the defendant in absentia. The Sorcerer shows his abilities when he takes on the role of an observing judge and plays a tape recorder from a hiding place at the crime scene, which the perpetrators intended to use to lay a false trail.

Another murder takes place at the Curtain house, and Lady Curtain is the victim. Shortly afterwards, Archie Moore is found dead. Inspector Wesby suggests that Sir John co-operate with the Sorcerer. Sir John suggests that Cora-Ann Milton stop pursuing her husband for the duration of his co-operation in the case.

The dead man's next of kin, Margie Fielding and the child Charles, are about to be assassinated. At the last moment, their lives are saved by Inspector Wesby, who shoots Edwards.The Sorcerer is also able to prevent the death of his secretary Finch.

Charles is kidnapped despite police surveillance. Lady Aston, Lady Curtain's sister, confesses that she recognised the voice of Edwards was in radio contact with her during the assassination attempt as that of Philip Curtain, Lord Curtain's brother, who was believed to be dead. When Philip Curtain tries one more time to kill Margie Fielding after deceiving her with a mask of the Soccer, Archibald Finch is on the scene and shoots the mastermind of the crimes. Shortly afterwards, it turns out that Archibald Finch was the masked Arthur Milton. Milton and Finch manage to escape through the food lift. On the way to the airport, however, they and Cora-Ann Milton are tricked and detained by Wesby.

Cast

• Heinz Drache as Inspector James W. Wesby
• Barbara Rütting as Margie Fielding
• Brigitte Horney as Lady Aston
• Margot Trooger as Cora Ann Milton
• Siegfried Schürenberg as Sir John
• Klaus Kinski as Edwards
• Robert Hoffmann as Archie Moore
• Karl John as Dr. Mills (as Carl John)
• Hubert von Meyerinck as Judge Matthews
• Heinz Spitzner as Bailey
• Kurt Waitzmann as Lanny
• Lia Eibenschütz as Lady Curtain
• Teddy Naumann as Charles
• Gisela Hahn as Susan Copperfield
• Lu Saeuberlich as governess (as Lu Säuberlich)
• Eddi Arent as Archibald Finch
• René Deltgen as Arthur Milton

Production

This film is based on the thriller Again the Ringer (The Ringer Returns) by Edgar Wallace. Cinematography took place from 15 March to 27 April 1965 at Berlin/West, London and its environments.

Release

The FSK gave the film a rating of 16 and up and found it not appropriate for screenings on public holidays.

External links

• Neues vom Hexer at IMDb
• Neues vom Hexer at filmportal.de/en