Private Schulz

Private Schulz is a BBC television comedy drama serial starring Michael Elphick in the title role and Ian Richardson playing various parts. Other notable actors included Tony Caunter, Billie Whitelaw, Billy Murray and Mark Wingett.

Over six one-hour episodes, it tells the story of a German fraudster who tricks the Nazis into making counterfeit British five pound notes, millions of which will be used to destroy the British economy. However, Schulz is primarily interested in stealing them.

It was based on several real life incidents:

• The Venlo incident, when two British officers were abducted from the Netherlands
• The real though unrealised plot by the Germans, Operation Bernhard.
• Salon Kitty, a Nazi sponsored brothel used to spy on its wealthy clients.

Additionally, many of the main characters are real people (though occasionally under a different name).

It also starred Billie Whitelaw as a prostitute working in 'The Salon Kitty', where German officers were secretly recorded by the SS in the prostitutes' bedrooms. Whitelaw's character claimed to have a psychological block that prevented her sleeping with any soldier below the rank of major.

The screenplay was by Jack Pulman. He died in 1979 before any filming had taken place. In 1982, he was posthumously awarded a writers award by The Royal Television Society for his work on Private Schulz.

Other notable names involved in the show include composer Carl Davis and producer Philip Hinchcliffe.

Cast

• Private Gerhard Schulz - Michael Elphick
• Major Neuheim - Ian Richardson
• Bertha Freya - Billie Whitelaw
• Gertrude Steiner - Rula Lenska
• Iphraim Solly Solikoff - Cyril Shaps
• Schumacher - Terence Suffolk
• Professor Bodelschwingh - David Swift
• Herr Krauss - Ken Campbell

External links

• Screenonline - Private Schulz
• Classic 80's TV - Private Schulz
• BBC4 page on Private Schulz
• Operation Bernard - Background Information
• Private Schulz at the Internet Movie Database

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