1970, Film: Cannabis

The French–West German–Italian film "Cannabis" premiered in France on 2 September 1970. Directed by Pierre Koralnik and based on "...et puis s'en vont" by F. S. Gilbert, the film was adapted for the screen by Frantz-André Burguet and Pierre Koralnik. The principal roles were played by Serge Gainsbourg, Jane Birkin, Paul Nicholas and Curd Jürgens. The musical score was composed by Serge Gainsbourg.

"Cannabis" poster

Synopsis
Serge Morgan (Serge Gainsbourg) is a career criminal involved in international drug trafficking and working for the Mafia. He is assigned the task of eliminating his rival, Henri Emery (Curd Jürgens). After being wounded in Paris, he is rescued by the attractive Jane Swenson (Jane Birkin). The two fall in love, and Serge decides to abandon his life of crime. However, his employers have no intention of letting him walk away so easily..

Jane Birkin as Jane Swenson

Serge Gainsbourg as Serge Morgan

Paul Nicholas as Paul and Serge Gainsbourg as Serge Morgan

Gabriele Ferzetti as Inspecteur Bardeche

Curd Jürgens as Henri Emery

Main Cast

• Serge Gainsbourg as Serge Morgan
• Jane Birkin as Jane Swenson
• Paul Nicholas as Paul
• Gabriele Ferzetti as Inspecteur Bardeche
• Paul Albert Krumm as Lancan
• Yvette Lebon as maîtresse d'Emery
• Curd Jürgens as Henri Emery
• Laurence Badie as Mme Carbona

Jane Birkin as Jane Swenson

Curd Jürgens as Henri Emery

Gabriele Ferzetti as Inspecteur Bardeche

Yvette Lebon as maîtresse d'Emery

1974, Film: Soft Beds, Hard Battles

The British film comedy "Soft Beds, Hard Battles" premiered in January 1974. The film was directed by Roy Boulting, starring Peter Sellers (in six roles), Curd Jürgens, Lila Kedrova and Béatrice Romand. The film score was composed by Neil Rhoden.

"Soft Beds, Hard Battles" poster

Synopsis
During the German occupation of France, the story follows Major Robinson (Peter Sellers) of the British Army. Stationed in a Parisian brothel, he aids the French Resistance, working alongside Madame Grenier (Lila Kedrova) and her girls. Together, they eliminate high-ranking German officers right under the noses of the Gestapo…

Peter Sellers as General Latour

Peter Sellers as Major Robinson

Peter Sellers as Herr Schroeder

Peter Sellers as Adolf Hitler

Peter Sellers as Prince Kyoto

Peter Sellers as President of France

Main cast

• Peter Sellers as General Latour/Major Robinson/Herr Schroeder/Adolf Hitler/President of France/Prince Kyoto/Narrator
• Lila Kedrova as Madame Grenier
• Curd Jürgens as General von Grotjahn
• Béatrice Romand as Marie-Claude
• Jenny Hanley as Michelle
• Gabriella Licudi as Simone
• Françoise Pascal as Madeleine
• Rex Stallings as Alan Cassidy
• Rula Lenska as Louise
• Daphne Lawson as Claudine
• Hylette Adolphe as Tom-tom
• Vernon Dobtcheff as Padre
• Doug Sheldon as Kapitan Kneff
• Thorley Walters as General Erhardt
• Timothy West as Chaplain
• Jean Charles Driant as Jean
• Philip Madoc as Field Marshal Weber
• Patricia Burke as Mother Superior
• Basil Dignam as Brigadier
• Nicholas Loukes as Schultz
• Stanley Lebor as 1st Gestapo agent
• Gertan Klauber as 2nd Gestapo agent
• Barry J. Gordon as 3rd Gestapo agent
• Joan Baxter as Vera Lynn
• Carolle Rousseau as Hélène
• Windsor Davies as Bisset

Béatrice Romand as Marie-Claude

Lila Kedrova as Madame Grenier

Curd Jürgens as General von Grotjahn

Trivia
Herr Otto Flick of the Gestapo in 'Allo 'Allo! was obviously based on Herr Schroeder played by Peter Sellers complete with the limp.

Trailer 

1969, Film: The Assassination Bureau Limited

The British black comedy "The Assassination Bureau Limited" (US: "The Assassination Bureau") premieres in London on 10 March 1969. The film, directed by Basil Dearden, is based on the unfinished novel "The Assassination Bureau, Ltd" by Jack London. The novel was, after Jack London's death (1916), finished by Robert L. Fish. It was published in 1963. Main stars are Oliver Reed, Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas, Curd Jürgens, Philippe Noiret, Warren Mitchell and Clive Revill. Unlike London's original novel, which is set in the United States, the film is set in Europe.

Synopsis

London early 1900s, the aspiring journalist Sonia Winter (Diana Rigg) uncovers an organisation that specialises in killing high placed people for money, the Assassination Bureau, Limited. To destroy the bureau she hires the organisation to murder the bureau's own chairman, Ivan Dragomiloff (Oliver Reed)...

Diana Rigg as Sonya Winter

Oliver Reed as Ivan Dragomiloff and Diana Rigg as Sonya Winter

Warren Mitchell as Herr Weiss and Oliver Reed as Ivan Dragomiloff

Main cast

• Oliver Reed as Ivan Dragomiloff
• Diana Rigg as Sonya Winter
• Telly Savalas as Lord Bostwick
• Curd Jürgens as General von Pinck
• Philippe Noiret as Monsieur Lucoville
• Warren Mitchell as Herr Weiss
• Beryl Reid as Madame Otero
• Clive Revill as Cesare Spado
• Kenneth Griffith as Monsieur Popescu
• Vernon Dobtcheff as Baron Muntzof
• Annabella Incontrera as Eleanora Spado
• Jess Conrad as Angelo
• George Coulouris as Swiss Peasant

Diana Rigg as Sonya Winter and Philippe Noiret as Monsieur Lucoville

Diana Rigg as Sonya Winter and Telly Savalas as Lord Bostwick

Nominations

• Golden Globe (US) for Best English-Language Foreign Film, lost to "Oh! What a Lovely War"
• Golden Laurel (US) for Female New Face (Diana Rigg), lost to Ali MacGraw in "Goodbye, Columbus"

Purrr Link

The Assassination Bureau, Sample clip (1969)