Elke Sommer was discovered by Italian filmmaker Vittorio de Sica; she made her film debut in Italian comedy-film ‘L’amico del giaguaro’ (1959). The same year she also appeared in other films, including the Italian comedy-films ‘Men & Noblemen’ and ‘La Pica sur Pacifico’ and German film ‘The Death Ship,’ and others.
During the early 1960s Sommer appeared in films from various European countries including German films ‘Stage Fright,’ comedy ‘Heaven, Love & Twine,’ (both 1960), ‘Beloved Imposter’ (1961), Italian films ‘Howlers in the Dock’ & ‘Femine di lusso’ (both 1960), British comedy-film ‘Don’t Bother to Knock’ (1961) amongst more.
After starring roles in several such European films as French drama-film ‘Douce Violence’ (1962), German drama-film ‘The Phone Rings Every Night’ (1962), she went on to star opposite Paul Newman in American spy-film ‘The Prize’ (1963) and earned ‘Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer Actress, 1964.’ Soon she was a leading star with many top films to her credit.
Sommer starred opposite Peter Sellers in second installment of ‘Pink Panther’ series, ‘A Shot in the Dark’ (1964), followed by comedy-film with James Garner, ‘The Art of Love’ (1965). She appeared alongside Glenn Ford and Rita Hayworth in crime-drama-film ‘The Money Trap’ (1965), and further starred in drama-film with Stephen Boyd ‘The Oscar’ (1966), comedy with Bob Hope ‘Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number’ (1966) and then Bulldog Drummond crime-mystery-film ‘Deadlier than the Male’ (1967).
Sommer’s next starrers included comedy-film ‘The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz’ (1968), crime-film ‘The Came to Rob Las Vegas’ (1968), spy-comedy with Dean Martin, ‘The Wrecking Crew’ (1968), WWI action-drama ‘Zeppelin’ (1971) and adaption of Agatha Christie’s novel ‘And Then There Were None’ (1974).
Thereafter, Sommer turned more towards European films starring in 2 Italian horror-films ‘Baron Blood’ (1972) and ‘Lisa & the Devil’ (1973), British comedy ‘Percy’s Progress’ (1974) and ‘Carry on…’series film ‘Carry on Behind’ (1975). The comedy-film ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ (1979) with Peter Sellers was her last American starrer.
Further Sommer starred in British-American action-film ‘The Treasure Seekers’ (1979), German-comedy ‘The Man in Pyjamas’ (1981), action-film ‘Death Stone’ (1987) and many more. In recent years she provided voice for animated-short ‘A Thousand Kisses’ (2017).
Sommer also appeared in several TV-series ‘Peter the Great’ (1986), crime-series ‘Counterstrike’ (1992), drama-series ‘Destiny Ridge’ (1993) and others.
A murder is reported and a woman named Maria is suspected to be the killer. However, impressed with her beauty, Inspector Clouseau doesn’t suspect her. Things get interesting when more murders follow and each time, Maria seems to be the killer.
Ragazzi del Juke-Box is a musical comedy film which tells the story of a young woman named Giulia, who takes over her father’s record company, after he is arrested. However, although her father promoted classical music, she begins to promote her own rock and roll music instead.
Four schoolchildren uncover a plot to assassinate a visiting dignitary from the Middle East. They inform the police, but they refuse to believe their story. Therefore, they try to save the dignitary’s life and put the bad guys in jail, all by themselves.
The Money Trap is a crime thriller drama film which tells the story of two cops who is assigned to a burglary case, when half a million dollars disappears from a doctor’s office. However, when they find the money, they decide to keep it for themselves.
Struggling American artist Paul Sloane tries unsuccessfully to earn money in Paris, but wishes to return home and marry fiancée Laurie. Hatching a plan with his friend Casey, he fakes his death to boost the worth of his paintings, which leads to Casey amassing wealth. Not only that, when Laurie comes to Paris, Casey starts courting her thus infuriating Paul into taking revenge.
Howlers of the Dock is a musical comedy film which revolves around a group of friends- The teddy boys and the rock and roll chicks. Due to their crazy and fun-loving habits, their neighbors are constantly complaining. A jeans company feels that the group's reputation is affecting the sales of their products. Meanwhile, a group of corrupt officials also unite to bring the group down.
Zeppelin is an adventure war drama film which takes us to the year 1915, when German airships had dropped thousands of bombs in London. Eventually, Geoffrey Richter-Douglas, a British officer is assigned by the British Intelligence to go to Germany, to find information about their latest zeppelin and steal their plans.
This romantic comedy film tells us four different stories revolving around love in Italy.
They Came to Rob Las Vegas is a crime drama film which tells the story of Tony, a casino blackjack dealer, who along with his girlfriend, and a group of criminals, plan to hijack and rob an armored car carrying $ 7 million in cash, in order to avenge his brother’s death.
Aurelio Morelli is a well-known author, but he is unhappy because although his books are well-received by critics, they are not read much by the public. Meanwhile, due to their depraved moral sense, he develops a hatred for the youths of his society, and eventually murders a call girl. The only person suspecting him is a journalist and instead of informing the police, he asks Aurelio to write about his murder.
After being released from prison, an American is hired in a London bank as an electrician. However, his former acquaintances show up and force him to take part in their well-planned heist, being their inside-man.
Fitz is a successful and talented actor whose wife writes a movie. He wants to star in her movie, but she feels that the role is not suitable for him. Fitz transforms himself into a young Italian man and creates an alter ego, who seems to be exactly what Lily wants for the role.
Married real-estate agent Tom Meade mistakenly dials stunning French actress Didi, who is hiding from Hollywood, after being frustrated for being typecast as a bombshell. Meade decides to help her hide in his backwoods cabin but evading the media, public, and his wife might turn out to be more difficult that he imagined.
The Venetian Affair is an action thriller film which tells the story of a former CIA agent Bill Fenner, who is now a journalist living and working alone. When a suicide bombing occurs at a peace conference in Venice, he is sent for an investigation. When one of the suspects in the case turns out to be Fenner’s ex-wife, he is requested to come out of retirement.
Jamaican Gold is an action adventure film which revolves around two former football players, who decide to unite and search for the lost treasures of Henry Morgan, an infamous pirate of the seventeenth century.
Adapted from Richard Sale’s novel, the movie tells the tale of an actor, Frank Fane, who desperately desires to reach the top and win at the Academy Awards. In his ambitious pursuit, he ignores the difference between right and wrong and also manipulates those close to him including his best friend, acting coach, agent and girlfriend.
A man named Sydney Frewin is to impersonate King Rudolf, due to their resemblance, after there is an assassination attempt on the King. Despite this, his rival Michael manages to capture King Rudolf and bring him to his castle. Frewin is still forced to keep up the act till the coronation ceremony. However, Rudolf’s fiancée Flavia, sees through the disguise, and she decides to help Frewin.
A travel agent with multiple girlfriends gives all of them the keys to his apartment. However, this eventually leads to complications and he realizes that he needs to prevent them from running into one another.
The Warrior Empress is a romantic drama adventure film which tells the story of Phaon, a young warrior, who seeks refuge in the Temple of Aphrodite. He meets a young woman Sappho, and falls for her. He tries to convince her to marry him.
A former official working for the US Justice Department is hired as a security consultant for a Swiss bank when multiple of the bank’s clients become part of a blackmail scheme.
The House of Exorcism is a horror film which tells the story of a traveling woman who finds herself stranded in a mansion after she gets lost. However, the house is inhabited by dark forces, and she gets possessed by demons. Eventually, a troubled priest attempts to perform an exorcism to free her from the clutches of the dark forces.
Edwin Antony receives the world’s first penis transplant after an accident. His donor is a womanizer who was killed in the same accident. Soon after the transplant, Antony decides to learn more about his donor’s life.
East German athlete Paula Schultz, preparing for Olympics, pole-vaults over Berlin Wall to West to escape lecherous Propaganda minister Klaus. A black-marketeer, Bill Mason helps her hide in a CIA agent’s apartment; but he is prepared to trade her to East or CIA for money. Disheartened, Paula decides to return with Klaus. Realizing his love for her, Bill tries to make amends.
A chemical is released into the world’s water supply accidentally, which makes all men impotent. The only man left on Earth who isn’t affected is Perry. However, he soon gains the attention of the press and the government, and they want to use him to repopulate the world.
Elke Sommer Awards
The Prize | Most Promising Newcomer - Female | 1964 |