German director Kurt Maetzig died Aug. 8, according to this report from Reuters. He was 101. These European sources don’t often list the place and cause of death, but he was living in the German village of Wildkuhl and at age 101 we can surmise natural causes. In 1960 he directed “Der schweigende Stern,” based on Stanislaw Lem‘s novel “The Astronauts.” It was dubbed, edited and re-released in 1962 as the movie in episode 211- FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS.
German director Kurt Maetzig died Aug. 8, according to this report from Reuters. He was 101. These European sources don’t often list the place and cause of death, but he was living in the German village of Wildkuhl and at age 101 we can surmise natural causes. In 1960 he directed “Der schweigende Stern,” based on Stanislaw Lem‘s novel “The Astronauts.” It was dubbed, edited and re-released in 1962 as the movie in episode 211- FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS.
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Long life to you indeed!
Wow- RIP
I just finished watching that about a half hour ago!
I have to believe he’s the oldest MST3K-related person ever; can’t think of anyone else who’s lived longer. Being that he lived in Germany his entire life, I wonder if he even knew about the show. Godspeed to a true survivor.
FYI: Two other people on the current MSTory list died at age 101: Monty Berman, producer and cinematographer for the movie in episode 101- THE CRAWLING EYE (he died in 2006) and none other than the great Estelle Winwood, who played Sybil in the movie in episode 411- THE MAGIC SWORD, who died in 1984.
However, they are not the oldest people on the list! The winner is Carl Esmond, who played Prof. Stefanik in the movie in episode 815- AGENT FOR H.A.R.M. and lived for about six months past his 102nd birthday before dying in December of 2004. In second place is Risto Orko, producer of the movie “Sampo,” seen in episode 422- THE DAY THE EARTH FROZE, who lived 14 days past his 102nd birthday before dying in 2001.
Living a hundred years? Impressive. Living them in Imperial, Wiemar, Third Reich, Eastern and finally Reunified Germany? Must have been amazing. And yes, i always enjoyed that crazy Soviet bloc Sci-Fi movie as well.
#6: If by amazing you mean living under the boot of several totalitarian states, yes, it was amazing.
#4: Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie was dubbed into German, so it’s possible he may have at least heard of the movie, if not the series. It’s too bad we’ll never find out if he knew about “his episode” of our favorite little cowtown puppet show.
A long life indeed. rest easy and thank you for your contributions to MST3K.