With Love from Beirut: EuroSpy Adventures with Frederick Stafford
Remembering the terrible explosion in August 2020, you cannot watch this film without a lump in your throat. Because here, too, the glamorous Beirut is to be reduced to rubble and ashes by a bomb. Richard Blake, the Interpol agent 505, is supposed to prevent this. The superhero is played by Frederick Stafford (1928-1979), who can only be seen here in his second film. The handsome businessman was discovered at his wedding party with Austrian film star Marianne Hold. No joke! In "Topas" the charmer was supposed to make it to the leading role of Hitchcock. Such an unexpected, picture-perfect career demands respect.
From the moment he arrives in Lebanon, the Interpol agent is on guard and lets an unsuspecting tourist (Harald Leipnitz) act as a target for potential opponents. Together with Assi Bobby O'Toole (Chris Howland) and the attractive photographer Denise (Genevieve Cluny), he tries to identify those behind the impending attack. A curious chambermaid (sexy and sassy: Renate Ewert), a shady Arab (Willy Birgel! Exactly him! The guy from "Blaufuchs" (1938) with Zarah Leander) and a lushly built nightclub siren (Gisella Arden) cross his path path marked by many fist fights. An Inspector Bernard (Pierre Richard) from the local police is also investigating the matter. In between, her lover goes to the Roman ruins of Baalbeck. After all, a bit of sightseeing is part of it!
The fun was produced by Wolf C. Hartwig (who of course also wanted to benefit from the EuroSpy wave of success) and the Italian producer Mario Siciliano.
This was to be the last film for the enchanting Renate Ewert (1933-1966). She was found dead by her friend Susanne Cramer in her Munich apartment.
This film is certainly not the most successful example of the EuroSpy wave. But it's definitely worth seeing because of the main actor, Frederick Stafford, and the beautiful shots of Beirut and the surrounding area. Passable entertainment is guaranteed!
