Elke Sommer (1940-)

biography

Born Elke Schletz in Berlin, Germany, on November 5, 1940, gorgeous actress Elke Sommer was the daughter of a Lutheran minister and his wife. During the middle of World War II, Sommer and her family moved to Niederndorf, some 300 miles south of Berlin. Following the end of the war, times were difficult for the Schletz family and became even worse when Sommer's father passed away in 1955. An avid student of languages, Sommer learned Greek and Latin while in school and moved to London in 1957 to work as a nanny and to become fluent in English. While on a trip to Italy with her mother in 1958, Sommer was discovered by an Italian film producer, and in a matter of months she had been cast in several films. Initially, she agreed to the film work in order to earn enough money for college, but with many film offers coming her way, she quickly decided on an acting career. Nonetheless, she continued to study languages, and her ability to speak seven languages enabled her to be cast in dozens of films produced in a number of countries.

Sommer's first starring role came in the Italian comedy Love, the Italian Way (1960; with Ugo Tognazzi and Sylva Koscina), and this film set the stage for a string of 1960s comedies starring the beautiful blond actress. Her first English language film was the British comedy Don't Bother to Knock (1961; with Richard Todd and Nicole Maurey). Sommer continued making films in France, Italy, and Germany when she was cast in the all-star war film The Victors (1963; with Vince Edwards and George Peppard), which featured a cast of internationally known actors, including Senta Berger, Melina Mercouri, Jeanne Moreau, and Romy Schneider. She then made a string of successful films, many of which were comedies, including A Shot in the Dark (1964; with Peter Sellers and George Sanders), The Art of Love (1965; with James Garner and Angie Dickinson), and Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number! (1966; with Bob Hope and Phyllis Diller). Sommer continued working on the other side of the Atlantic as well in such films as the campy crime thriller Deadlier Than the Male (1967; with Richard Johnson and Sylva Koscina). During this period in her career, she met and married writer Joe Hyams.

the films of elke sommer

Love, the Italian Way (1960)

Why Bother to Knock (1961)

The Prize (1963)

A Shot in the Dark (1964)

The Money Trap (1965)

The Dolls (1965)

The Oscar (1966)

Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number! (1966)

Deadlier Than the Male (1967)

The Corrupt Ones (1967)

The Venetian Affair (1967)

The Invincible Six (1968)

The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz (1968)

The Wrecking Crew (1969)

Percy (1971)

Baron Blood (1972)

Ten Little Indians (1975)

today

Elke Sommer's film career into the 1970s, while strong, saw her cast in far more B movies. And in addition to comedies, she was now cast in several horror films as well, including Mario Bava's Baron Blood (1972; with Joseph Cotten) and Mario Bava's Lisa and the Devil (1973; with Telly Savalas and Sylva Koscina), which was reedited and, with new scenes added, was released as The House of Exorcism (1976; with Robert Alda). In the late 1970s and 1980s, Sommer began working more in television on such hit shows as The Love Boat, The Six Million Dollar Man, and St. Elsewhere. Following her divorce from Hyams and marriage to entreprenuer Wolf Walther, she began focusing on other endeavors, such as her painting. Sommer has written books and hosted a PBS series centered on her artwork, which she has been exhibiting and selling for more than 40 years. Nevertheless, on occasion she tackles an acting role, often in her native Germany.

elke sommer films available from movies unlimited

Daniella By Night [DVD](1961) DVD
Highlighted by Elke Sommer's sensuality, this espionage thriller features Sommer as a fashion model romantically involved with a count who has been selling top-secret microfilm to foreign agents. When the microfilm is hidden in Sommer's lipstick, she becomes the subject of a strip search. Ivan Desny co-stars; music co-written by Charles Aznavour. 83 min. Standard; Soundtrack: French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; photo gallery; theatrical trailer. In French with English subtitles.
Sweet Ecstasy (Sweet Violence) [DVD](1962) DVD
See Elke Sommer as you've never seen her before in this sensual European drama in which she plays a jet-setter on the French Riviera who begins to have strong feelings towards a young man. Her interest sparks a rivalry between him and an older man which is resolved in a most unsettling way. With Pierre Brice. AKA: "Douce Violence." 80 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English (dubbed); photo gallery; theatrical trailer; more.
The Prize (Remastered Edition) [DVD](1963) DVD
While in Stockholm to accept the Nobel Prize in Literature, an alcoholic writer (Paul Newman) learns of a plot involving the kidnapping of a physicist by Russian intelligence. He soon discovers that an impostor has taken the physicist's place, and he must fend off communist agents to find the real man. Edward G. Robinson, Elke Sommer, and Diane Baker also star; based on the novel by Irving Wallace. 135 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
A Shot In The Dark [DVD](1964) DVD
After the success of "The Pink Panther," director Blake Edwards and star Peter Sellers brought back bumbling Inspector Clouseau for this wild whodunit comedy, based on a French stageplay, in which Sellers must clear maid Elke Sommer of one murder after another. The nudist camp scene is a classic! With Herbert Lom, George Sanders. 102 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French.
The Money Trap [DVD](1965) DVD
A cash-strapped cop's (Glenn Ford) desire to keep his beautiful wife (Elke Sommer) living in the style in which she's become accustomed leads him to plan a desperate robbery using the combination to a wealthy doctor's (Joseph Cotten) safe given to him by a dying burglar. Rita Hayworth co-stars as a world-weary waitress who is both Ford's ex-girlfriend and the burglar's widow. Ricardo Montalban also stars in this noirish crime thriller. 92 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Deadlier Than The Male [DVD](1967) DVD
Two-fisted crimesolver Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond was revamped for the James Bond crowd with this thrilling spy yarn. Richard Johnson, as insurance investigator Drummond, looks into the death of an oil company executive and links the incident to a criminal mastermind who has gorgeous, bikini-clad assassins doing his dirty work. Elke Sommer, Sylva Koscina, Nigel Green, and Suzanna Leigh co-star. 95 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English mono.
They Came To Rob Las Vegas [DVD](1968) DVD
Who better to pull off a successful heist in Las Vegas than a casino dealer? In this stylish European caper film, Gary Lockwood stars as the crook who enlists the help of girlfriend Elke Sommer in rerouting a security van run by boss Lee J. Cobb's company. Despite Lockwood's insider connections and well-laid plans, the operation starts falling apart at the seams. Jack Palance, Jean Servais co-star. 128 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Matt Helm Lounge [DVD] DVD
After the success of the James Bond films, Dean Martin swung his way onto the big screen as super-cool secret agent Matt Helm in these popular lighthearted spy thrillers. The first film in the series, "The Silencers" (1966), finds Martin and klutzy assistant Stella Stevens saving America's nuclear arsenal from Asian mastermind Victor Buono. With Daliah Lavi, Roger C. Carmel, and Beverly Adams. Next, when criminal kingpin Karl Malden threatens to destroy Washington with a hijacked "helio-beam," it's up to ICE agent Helm to stop him, in the fast-paced "Murderers' Row" (1966), also starring Ann-Margret, James Gregory, and Dino, Desi & Billy. Then, the ace spy and lady-killer goes to Mexico with a gorgeous female scientist to track down a mysterious flying saucer, in "The Ambushers" (1967). With Janice Rule, Senta Berger. And the final film, "The Wrecking Crew" (1969), sees him teaming up with sexy sidekick Sharon Tate to find the criminal genius behind a billion-dollar gold hijacking. With Nigel Green, Elke Sommer, Nancy Kwan. 7 hrs. total on four discs. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, Japanese.
Zeppelin [DVD](1971) DVD
Action-packed World War I thriller starring Michael York as a young man who is contracted by Britain to uncover confidential German plans involving a new zeppelin. He gets more than he bargained for when he goes on a test flight aboard the ship and discovers that the Germans plan to steal the Magna Carta. Elke Sommer and Anton Diffring also star. 102 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English.
Probe [DVD](1972) DVD
Secret agent Hugh Lockwood (Hugh O'Brian) uses state-of-the-art electronic equipment--including a miniature camera, a biometric scanner, and a high-tech communication device--on a mission to recover a stash of diamonds missing since World War II. Sophisticated sci-fi thriller, the pilot to the short-lived TV series "Search," also stars Burgess Meredith, Elke Sommer, Lilia Skala, and John Gielgud. 95 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Carry On Behind [DVD](1975) DVD
Sexy Elke Sommer ("grrrrowll!") co-stars in this hilarious entry in the "Carry On" series in which archeologist Kenneth Williams excavates an ancient Roman town that happens to share a site with a holiday caravan. Joan Sims and Sidney James also star. 90 min. Soundtrack: English; theatrical trailer.
The Brain Machine (1977)/The Astral Fiend [DVD](1977) DVD
First, in "The Brain Machine," a government-run experiment in mind control produces a deadly computer, and four scientists become unwitting guinea pigs. Can they possibly escape from the technological terror? James Best, Barbara Burgess and Gerald McRaney star. AKA: "Grey Matter," "Mind Warp," "The E-Box," "Time Warp." Then, in "The Astral Fiend," a convicted murderer in prison learns the secret of becoming invisible and escapes, swearing vengeance on those who testified against him. Robert Foxworth, Elke Sommer and Stefanie Powers star. AKA: "Invisible Strangler," "The Astral Factor." 176 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
The Swiss Conspiracy [DVD](1977) DVD
In this international thriller, David Janssen plays an investigator hired to keep Swiss bank account holders safe from crooks trying to swipe their cash with an elaborate scheme. Santa Berger, John Saxon, and Elke Sommer also star. Soundtrack: English.
The Winds Of War [DVD](1983) DVD
The Emmy-winning TV mini-series, bringing to life Herman Wouk's tale of a Navy family's devotion to duty and to each other in the days shortly before America's entry into World War II, features an acclaimed cast that includes Robert Mitchum, Ali MacGraw, Jan-Michael Vincent, Victoria Tennant, John Houseman, Polly Bergen, Lisa Eilbacher, and Ralph Bellamy, reprising his screen role as FDR. 14 1/2 hrs. on six discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; "making of" documentary; featurettes.
The New Adventures Of Pinocchio (1999)/Anastasia: The Mystery Of Anna (1986)/Call Of The Wild [DVD](2000) DVD
"Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna" is a lavish romantic version of the story of Anna Anderson, the woman who claimed to be the surviving daughter of Russia's Czar Nicholas II. Focusing on the international scrutiny that followed her declaration and her struggle to reclaim her royal heritage, the film offers a glimpse at one of the most intriguing figures in Russian history. Amy Irving, Rex Harrison, Olivia de Havilland, Omar Sharif, and Susan Lucci star. Then, Martin Landau reprises his role as Geppetto in "The New Adventures of Pinocchio." In order to help his sickly father, Pinocchio (Gabriel Thomson) procures a magic potion from the enigmatic Madame Flambeau. But when the elixir actually turns Geppetto into a puppet himself, Pinocchio embarks on an incredible journey to set things right. Udo Kier and Warwick Davis co-star. Two-disc set also includes "Call Of The Wild," a feature-length adventure culled from four episodes of the short-lived television series. 8 hrs. total.

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elke sommer photos and posters available

filmography

FILM
Ewig rauschen die Gelder (2005)
Reblaus (2005)
Flashback - Morderische Ferien (2000)
Nicht mit uns (2000)
Doppeltes Spiel mit Anne (2000)
Alles nur Tarnung (1996)
Severed Ties (1992) with Johnny Legend, Garrett Morris, Billy Morrissette, and Oliver Reed
Himmelsheim (1989)
Death Stone (1987) with Brad Harris and Tony Kendall
Adventures Beyond Belief (1987) with Edie Adams, John Astin, Stella Stevens, and Larry Storch
Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna (1986) with Amy Irving, Olivia de Havilland, Susan Lucci, Claire Bloom, Omar Sharif, Rex Harrison, and Christian Bale
Jenny's War (1985) with Dyan Cannon and Richard Todd
Lily in Love (1984) with Christopher Plummer, Maggie Smith, and Adolph Green
Death Threat (1984)
Inside the Third Reich (1982) with Rutger Hauer, John Gielgud, Maria Schell, Blythe Danner, Trevor Howard, Derek Jacobi, Viveca Lindfors, and Randy Quaid
Der Mann im Pyjama (1981)
Top of the Hill (1980) with Adrienne Barbeau, Sonny Bono, Peter Brown, Macdonald Carey, Rae Dawn Chong, Mel Ferrer, Gary Lockwood, Richard O'Brien, Paula Prentiss, and Wayne Rogers
Exit Sunset Boulevard (1980)
The Double McGuffin (1979) with Ernest Borgnine, George Kennedy, Lyle Alzado, Lisa Whelchel, and Vincent Spano
The Fantastic Seven (1979) with Christopher Connelly, Christopher Lloyd, Morgan Brittany, Bill Macy, Peter Haskell, and Patrick Macnee
The Prisoner of Zenda (1979) with Peter Sellers, Lynne Frederick, Lionel Jeffries, and Gregory Sierra
The Treasure Seekers (1979) with Rod Taylor, Stuart Whitman, and Keenan Wynn
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (1979) with Richard Jordan, Oliver Tobias, David Niven, and Gloria Grahame
I Miss You, Hugs and Kisses (1978)
Nicht von gestern (1977)
Meet Him and Die (1976) with Martin Balsam
The Swiss Conspiracy (1976) with David Janssen, Senta Berger, John Ireland, John Saxon, Ray Milland, and Anton Diffring
Invisible Strangler (1976) with Robert Foxworth, Stefanie Powers, Sue Lyon, Leslie Parrish, and Cesare Danova
One Away (1976) with Bradford Dillman and Dean Stockwell
Carry on Behind (1975) with Kenneth Williams
The Net (1975) with Klaus Kinski
Ten Little Indians (1974) with Adolfo Celi, Richard Attenborough, Gert Frobe, Herbert Lom, Oliver Reed, and Rik Battaglia
It's Not the Size that Counts (1974) with Leigh Lawson, Denholm Elliott, Judy Geeson, Vincent Price, Julie Ege, and Bernard Lee
One or the Other of Us (1974)
Lisa and the Devil, aka The House of Exorcism (1973) with Telly Savalas, Sylva Koscina, and Robert Alda
Die Reise nach Wien (1973)
Baron Blood (1972) with Joseph Cotten
Probe (1972) with Hugh O'Brian, John Gielgud, Burgess Meredith, Albert Popwell, and A Martinez
Perlico - Perlaco (1971) with Robert Wagner and Tina Sinatra
Zeppelin (1971) with Michael York, Anton Diffring, and Andrew Keir
Percy (1971) with Hywel Bennett, Denholm Elliott, and Britt Ekland
The Wrecking Crew (1969) with Dean Martin, Sharon Tate, Nancy Kwan, Nigel Green, Tina Louise, and John Larch
The Came to Rob Las Vegas (1968) with Gary Lockwood, Lee J. Cobb, and Jack Palance
The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz (1968) with Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, John Banner, and Leon Askin
The Invincible Six (1968) with Stuart Whitman, Curd Jurgens, and Ian Ogilvy
Deadlier Than the Male (1967) with Richard Johnson, Sylva Koscina, Nigel Green, Suzanna Leigh, Steve Carlson, and Virginia North
The Corrupt Ones (1967) with Robert Stack, Nancy Kwan, and Christian Marquand
The Venetian Affair (1967) with Robert Vaughn, Felicia Farr, Luciana Paluzzi, Boris Karloff, Roger C. Carmel, Edward Asner, and Wesley Lau
Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number! (1966) with Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller, Cesare Danova, Marjorie Lord, and Joyce Jameson
The Oscar (1966) with Stephen Boyd, Milton Berle, Eleanor Parker, Joseph Cotten, Jill St. John, Tony Bennett, Edie Adams, and Ernest Borgnine
Tausend Takte Ubermut (1965) with Peggy March
The Money Trap (1965) with Glenn Ford, Rita Hayworth, Joseph Cotten, Ricardo Montalban, and James Mitchum
The Art of Love (1965) with James Garner, Dick Van Dyke, Angie Dickinson, Ethel Merman, Carl Reiner, and Roger C. Carmel
Hotel der toten Gaste (1965) with Karin Dor
The Dolls (1965) with Gina Lollobrigida and Virna Lisi
Frontier Hellcat (1964) with Stewart Granger, Pierre Brice, and Terence Hill
A Shot in the Dark (1964) with Peter Sellers, George Sanders, and Herbert Lom
Seven Tons of Gunfire (1964)
The Prize (1963) with Paul Newman, Edward G. Robinson, Diane Baker, Kevin McCarthy, and Leo G. Carroll
The Victors (1963) with Vince Edwards, Albert Finney, George Hamilton, Melina Mercouri, Jeanne Moreau, and George Peppard
Seduction by the Sea (1963) with Peter van Eyck
Who Stole the Body? (1963)
Bahia de Palma (1962)
Un chien dans un jeu de quilles (1962) with Christian Marquand
Le Chien (1962) with Alain Delon
Das Madchen und der Staatsanwalt (1962)
Sweet Ecstasy (1962) with Pierre Brice
Cafe Oriental (1962) with Jerome Courtland
The Phone Rings Every Night (1962)
Auf Wiedersehen (1961) with Gert Frobe
Geliebte Hochstaplerin (1961)
Why Bother to Knock (1961) with Richard Todd, Nicole Maurey, and Rik Battaglia
Daniella by Night (1961)
Und sowas nennt sich Leben (1961)
Howlers of the Dock (1960)
Stage Fright (1960)
Love, The Italian Way (1960) with Ugo Tognazzi, Sylva Koscina, and Massimo Serato
Himmel, Amor und Zwirn (1960)
The Warrior Empress (1960) with Kerwin Mathews and Tina Louise
The Day It Rained (1959) with Gert Frobe and Corny Collins
The Naked and the Brave (1959) with Horst Buchholz
The Jukebox Kids (1959)
L' Amico del giaguaro (1959)
La Pica sul Pacifico (1959) with Ugo Tognazzi
Uomini e nobiluomini (1959) with Vittorio De Sica

TELEVISION SERIES
Florian III, 1994 German TV series. Sommer portrayed Sonja Carpenter

In addition, Elke Sommer has made guest appearances on such shows as St. Elsewhere, The Love Boat, and Fantasy Island

elke sommer now showing

Watch the trailer for Elke Sommer's 1972 film Baron Blood