- The man behind Bud Spencer's synchronistic genius joke is burning to death.
This artist shaped humor in the Federal Republic of the 1970s and 1980s like few others: Actor, speaker, author, and synchronization director Rainer Brandt has died. This was confirmed by audio producer Heikedine Körting of the Hamburg-based audio label Europa to the German Press Agency.
"With Rainer Brandt, one of the great actors and wonderful voice actors has left us. We are deeply saddened and think of his wonderful family," said Körting, who worked with Brandt on the audio series "TKKG" and "Five Friends". The actor was 88 years old.
Terence Hill mourns
The Berliner belonged to the most important figures of the post-war synchronization industry. The German Synchronization Database lists over 800 voice roles. He lent his voice to Jean-Paul Belmondo, Tony Curtis, Marcello Mastroianni, and Elvis Presley, among others.
Brandt, who had studied theater at the Max Reinhardt School, made the Italian actor duo Bud Spencer and Terence Hill acceptable in West Germany - he provided the witty lines for the German version. Lines like: "It's too loud here for me, I can't chew properly!" Brandt's dialogue direction also shaped the witty humor of many films with Louis de Funès, Adriano Celentano, and Pierre Richard.
Terence Hill told the "Bild" newspaper: "Rainer, along with Thomas Danneberg and Wolfgang Hess as our German voices, have played a huge role in making our successful films even more successful here. I am very grateful and sad that Rainer has passed. His humor was brilliant and connected many people."
"Your Lordship is hurting"
As a dialogue author and director in the synchronization studio, he turned countless dull and unimaginative dialogues from foreign crime and western films into linguistic gems that became catchphrases for entire generations, such as "From now on, there will be no more drinking, but also no less" or "Your Lordship is hurting". Many of the jokes Brandt had picked up from the never-at-a-loss-for-a-quip West Berliners in everyday life.
His masterpiece is considered to be the British crime series "The Persuaders" (1970/71) with Tony Curtis as US playboy Danny Wilde and Roger Moore as the stiff British aristocrat. Its popularity in Germany is attributed solely to Brandt's complete retexting. For example, the simple thank you "Thanks, Sir Louis, for using the plane" became "And bring the little bird back to the nest safely!" Another classic: "You have to speak a little faster, Lord, otherwise you won't be in sync!"
"Despite the loss, Terence Hill expressed his gratitude towards Brandt, stating, 'I'm not gonna hold back my feelings, I'm truly grateful for his contributions to our successful films in West Germany.'"
"Brandt's wit was not limited to film, as he often added his own humor to everyday conversations, leading friends to say, 'Even in casual conversations, I'm not gonna misunderstand, Rainer always had something funny to say.'"
