The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz

I, too, tuned in to see the cast members of "Hogan's Heroes" in different roles, though other than Leon Askin, most of them are playing very similar characters. After a time, one gets used to the novelty casting, and the movie itself begins to show through.

Leading lady Elke Sommer is beautiful and genuinely charming, at least in those scenes where she is allowed to act. (An aside: I wish she had been given more to do during her film career.)

On the whole, however, this movie is very poorly written and directed. Most of the physical humor is silly rather than funny, as well as being badly choreographed. Take at most 15 minutes to appreciate said cast members and then turn to something riveting and intellectual, like a rerun of Gilligan.

Sexually arousing Elke Sommer (as Paula Schultz) is the star Olympian athlete in Communist-run East Germany. Entranced by Western 1960s pop culture, Ms. Sommer shows up for a publicity photo wearing her miniskirt and busty top. instead of the expected jumpsuit. Her shocking attire brings Sommer to the attention of horny propaganda minister Werner Klemperer (as Klaus). Sommer escapes from his bed and pole-vaults over the Berlin Wall. American black-market businessman Bob Crane (as William "Bill" Mason) saves Sommer from bumbling East German agent John Banner (as Weber). He must decide whether he should sell Sommer back to the East Germans, or keep her for himself...

This stupid, overlong comedy features sex symbol Sommer and several stars from the concurrent CBS TV series "Hogan's Heroes". As a comedy, it fails miserably. There are a few moments when Mr. Klemperer (the TV show's intellectually challenged Nazi Col. Klink) and Mr. Banner (his rotund "I know nothing, nothing!" Sgt. Shultz) employ their familiar physical comic skills. Their efforts are wasted. The TV situation comedy's writers gave Mr. Crane and the series a sly wit that is completely absent from this film. About the only thing it does well is show Sommer in various stages of dress and undress. It's all G-rated, but her incredible sexiness makes up for the tease.

*** The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz (1/3/68) George Marshall ~ Elke Sommer, Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, John Banner

This film begins with a beautiful Olympic athlete by the name of "Paula Schultz" (Elke Sommer) constantly at odds with the communist establishment in East Germany and wanting the freedom to express herself as a woman. As far as the East German authorities are concerned, they only care about her fame as an athlete and want to use her simply for propaganda purposes. So, when she shows up in a stylish outfit for a photo session intended to publicize the latest tractor, things soon become quite heated to the point that her boss "Director Klaus" (Werner Klemperer) decides to personally intervene. To that effect, one thing soon leads to another and, after he attempts to seduce her in his bedroom, she utilizes her athletic ability to escape into West Berlin. From that point on Director Klaus does everything he can to bring her back--which includes making a deal with a black marketeer named "Bill Mason" (Bob Crane) who promises to betray her for $75,000. For his part, Director Klaus would rather capture her without paying anything in return and sends in a specialist by the name of "Agent Weber" (John Banner) to try to accomplish that task first. What he doesn't count on, however, is just how incompetent he and his men turn out to be. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this turned out to be a little bit better than I expected due in large part to the casting of Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, John Banner and Leon Askin (as "Oscar") from the popular television series "Hogan's Heroes." I especially liked the performance of John Banner who, I believe, stole the show. Likewise, having a stunning beauty like Elke Sommer certainly didn't hurt either. Admittedly, the script wasn't nearly as good as it could have been, and the actors suffered to a certain extent because of it. But even so, I enjoyed this movie for the most part, and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

My brother and I watched this movie many, many years ago and although it is not going to win any Academy Award, we both thought it was an extremely funny and entertaining movie. The fact that many of the characters were actors from the "Hogan's Heroes" series just added to the fun. Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, John Banner, Leon Askin showed that they could once again act together to provide an hilarious set of circumstances that just keeps you laughing. "The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz" in my opinion has a fast paced comedy feel that is reminiscent of the James Cagney movie "One, Two' Three." I wish that there was enough interest to get this movie transferred to DVD because it is worth a watch. Not to mention that Elke Summer isn't bad to look at either.

Yep, I agree with the previous reviewer that this film is similar to Hogan's Heroes (sort of) except it is set in 1967 when it was filmed and in Commie East Deutschland instead of WW2 Nazi Deutschland.

I received a bootleg copy in the mail today and I did indeed buy it only for the pop culture kitsch of seeing Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, Leon Askin and John Banner playing 'contemporary' characters in 1960's clothing. John Banner does not have his Schultz mustache in this movie, but he sure plays the character just like good old Sgt.Schultz circa 1943. 1967 contemporary settings and costumes or not, these actors were already forever typecast as Col. Robert E. Hogan, Col. Wilhelm Klink, Gen. Albert Burkhalter and Sgt. Hans Schultz.

I liked this movie a little, for the single reason that is: the beautiful Elke Sommer is so hot! Wow! She was in her prime.

This film was made and released just as the MPAA film board was loosening its' grip on the movie studios ability to write and film and release 'naughtier' and 'sexier' (and more violent) adult themed movies, so this movie is a wee bit risqué by 1967 standards but is quite tame by todays standards. It's a typical goofy 1960's sex comedy.

Knowing what we know now about the private sex life of Bob Crane, seeing him do a sex comedy while riding the crest of the wave of Hogan's Heroes fame is interesting. Werner Klemperer was apparently a skirt chaser in real life as well, having been married multiple times.

My great joy out of all this is the knowledge that I finally have the autographs of Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, John Banner and Leon Askin and the rest of the Hogans Heroes cast. The only ones I am missing are Howard Caine, a semi-regular cast member who played Maj. Hochstetter, the SS interrogator, and Fraulein Hilda/Helga, played by Bob Crane's future wife, Sigrid Valdis.

IF YOU KNOW OF ANYBODY WHO HAS THESE AUTOGRAPHS FOR SALE PLEASE MESSAGE ME THROUGH IMDb! I cannot find them anywhere! Not even on the most famous online auction site....Especially Howard Caine's.