The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz


The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz is a 1968 DeLuxe Color American comedy film directed by George Marshall and starring Elke Sommer, Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer and Leon Askin. The screenplay concerns an East German athlete who defects to the West by pole-vaulting over the Berlin Wall.

Plot

Paula Schultz has been preparing to compete in the Olympic Games, but instead pole-vaults over the Berlin Wall to freedom in West Germany.
A black-market operator, Bill Mason, hides her in the home of an old Army buddy, Herb Sweeney, who now works for the CIA. Bill is willing to hand her over for a price, to either side, so a disappointed Paula returns to East Germany with propaganda minister Klaus instead. At this point, Bill comes to his senses, realizes he loves her, then disguises himself as a female athlete to get Paula back.

Cast

The film was based on an original screenplay by Ken Englund which Edward Small bought in 1966. Harry Tugend was hired to rewrite it.
Bob Crane was given the lead due to his success in Hogan's Heroes with three other members of the series shooting the film during the summer hiatus in 1967; several other guest stars from the series also appeared in the film.

Paperback novelization

Slightly in advance of the film's release, per the practice of the era, Popular Library released a novelisation of the screenplay, pseudonymously by-lined Alton Harsh.

Reception

Reviews were poor.