By day Dr. Dennis Orloff (Kinski) treats London's paupers at his private clinic. By night he cruises the seedy streets, brothels and cabarets, picks up prostitutes who he later rapes, slashes to ribbons and disposes of in the 'Thames' (actually a canal in Zurich). The Ripper's case is being leiusurely investigated by Inspector Selby, who's more preoccupied with courting a ballet dancer (Josephine Chaplin). Eventually the police (aided by a blind street beggar!) do catch up with the notorious murderer in a very anticlimatic finale.
In Jack the Ripper Franco creates the ultimate outcast. A hero tormented by society's false moral code, leading a solitary existence and periodically venting his frustration by explosions of violence. From Dr. Orloff in his many incarnations to Dr. Flamand in FACELESS, not to forget Mathis Vogel of EXORCISM - this ostracised, violent loner is a stock JF character.
Herbert Fux (MARK OF THE DEVIL) plays a fisherman who discovers that Kinski is the Ripper and foolishly tries to blackmail him. Fux also shared screen with Kinski in Herzog's disturbing VOYZECK. Josephine Chaplin went on to appear in Franco's last big-budget affair, the little talked about DOWNTOWN HEAT/CIUDAD BAJA.
I thought the highlight of this one was Lina Romay's cabaret performance.
ReplyDeleteI love reading these Dietrich/Franco posts. I enjoy Jack the Ripper, but it is not my favorite of their collaborations. Blue Rita and Doriana Grey are my favorites. However, each has a charm. Great stuff, Alex, and have a good one.
ReplyDeleteLove Franco's Jack the Ripper. It's one of my faves.
ReplyDeletekeep up the great work alex.
j
@ Drofdoom: for me the highlight must be the chase through the foggy woods and subsecuent fucking under a tree scene:) Only Klaus would go for something like that and somehow get away with it. Lina Romay looks very pretty in Jack the Ripper.
ReplyDelete@Hans: Blue Rita is in my top 10 JF films, it has perfect style. I also enjoy the non-hardcore scenes of Doriana Grey, very creative. Your feedback makes me want to post more often!
@CiNEZiLLA: Jason mate, thanks!
Jack the Ripper was the first JF film that I watched and didn't hate. It has wondeful atmosphere. Kinski is terrific. It was the first film in which I saw him play the lead and I basically fell in love with the guy. When you see that close-up of his eyes, that intense gaze - superb!
Thank you very much for stopping by, gentlemen!
It's a pleasure to talk about Jess, it always is.