Der Deutsch Max
What may or may not have been a small number of producers and artists in northern Germany (in the Dusseldorf area) produced a significant body of Max-inspired and Max-related work, almost entirely in 1989. What's odd is that I don't know of any other translated or secondary works, other than a continuing amount of fan-fiction. Why the Germans latched onto Max (all the way through "Robert T-Online," more than ten years later) is hard to say, but it might have had something to do with Max's natural bond with techno music, which arose in part in the Dusseldorf nightclubs and bars in that era.
It occurs to me that at least some of the Max shows must have aired in Germany in this time frame - but which, and when, and even if are all unknowns at this time.
I'd love to hear from anyone who lived in Germany at that time and has a recollection of Max's intersection with German pop culture!
Contents
German Telefilm Book Translation (1989)
This very rare book is a German translation of the original novelization of the telefilm, written by Steve Roberts. It is standard mass-market paperback sized rather than the oversized format of the original, and includes one black and white photo every four or five pages.
It was translated by Thomas Ziegler and published in April, 1989.
The MaxRchives contain a copy of this book.
German Episode Novelizations (1989)
Following the telefilm book above, a series of Max Headroom books were published in German in 1989. I have not finished tracking them down or translating the available descriptions, but they seem to be novelizations of early episodes. There appears to be four in the series, all by German sf author and comics writer Hajo Breuen, who died just last year. The four titles I have located so far include are all subtitled Das Buch zur Fernsehserie - "The Book of the Television Series" - and Die Neue Kultfigur - "The New Cult Figure."
Oddly, these and the picture book of the telefilm seem to be the only novelizations in any language. At least, that reached print.
Max Headroom. Tödliche Spots. Band 1.
("Max Headroom: Deadly Spots. Volume 1.")
- This appears to be a novelization of the telefilm or ABC pilot, "deadly spots" being the closest German translation of "blipverts."
The MaxRchives contain a copy of this book.
Max Headroom. Menschenjagd. Band 2.
("Max Headroom: Manhunt. Volume 2.")
- From other references, this appears to be a novelization of "Body Banks."
Max Headroom. Die Gesetzlosen. Band 3.
("Max Headroom: The Outlaws. Volume 3.")
- A novelization of "The Blanks."
(The term translates as "the lawless," implying both those who are outlaw/criminals and those who live without laws. Good word choice!)
Max Headroom. Die falsche Göttin. Band 4.
("Max Headroom: The False Goddess. Volume 4.")
- A novelization of "Deities."
Details to come when I can lay hands on the books or a German fan comes along...
- There's a really freaky little personal connection here. The author, Hajo Breuen, was born in Dusseldorf and died (somewhat young, at just under 60) in nearby Munchen-Gladbach. I've visited Germany once, flying in to Dusseldorf to spend a few days with a client in... Munchen-Gladbach.
German Audio Performances (1989)
In addition to the printed novelizations, a series of at least five "radio plays" or "audio re-performances" of ABC series episodes with a German cast were produced on cassette. For a time, the episodes were available on YouTube, but copyright violation complaints have caused their removal. At least they've been preserved in di-di-digital form...
Max Headroom, Folge 1, Psycho-Spots
(Episode 1: "Psycho-Spots / Organ-Bank")
- Side A is an adaptation of "Blipverts" and/or the origin telefilm.
- Side B is an adaptation of "Body Banks."
- Cast & Production Listing on Discogs.com
The MaxRchives contain a copy of this recording.
Max Headroom, Folge 2, Kampfboard Spiele Anarcho-TV
(Episode 2: "Kampfbord-Spiele / Anarcho-TV.")
- Side A is an adaptation of "Rakers."
- Side B is an adaptation of an unidentified episode, possibly "War."
- Cast & Production Listing on Discogs.com
The MaxRchives contain a copy of this recording.
Max Headroom, Folge 3, Nicht-Existenzen Elektronik-Barrieren
(Episode 3: "Nicht-Existenzen / Elektronik-Barrieren.")
- A side is an adaptation of "The Blanks."
- B side is an adaptation of "Security Systems."
- Cast & Production Listing on Discogs.com
The MaxRchives contain a copy of this recording.
Max Headroom, Folge 4, Zipp Programme Video-Religion
(Episode 4: "Zipp-Programme / Video-Religion.")
- Side A is an adaptation of an unidentified episode, possibly "Grossberg's Return" or "Academy."
- Side B is an adaptation of "Deities."
- Cast & Production Listing on Discogs.com
The MaxRchives contain a copy of this recording.
Max Headroom, Folge 5, Neuro-Stimulation Zensur-Computer
(Episode 5: "Neuro-Stimulation / Zensur-Computer.")
- Side A is an adaptation of "Neurostim."
- Side B is an adaptation of an unidentified episode, possibly "Lessons."
- No Cast & Production Listing found
The MaxRchives contain a copy of this recording.
Techno/Club Dance Cuts & Mixes
These dance mix albums and cuts are very weird items, mostly in that the major labels that released them make no acknowledgement to Chrysalis Productions, Channel Four, ABC, Lorimar or any of the other then-current rights holders. I can only conclude that the Germans didn't care, the Brits no longer cared, or "rights" were as sloppily assigned by letter or memo as they had been from Chrysalis to Lorimar/ABC.
MR. M.A.X.: Max Headroom Calling (1989)
This bizarre little gem turned up in a catalog search recently. It's a CD "maxi-single," also released on 12-inch vinyl in 1989 by Polydor. It's hard to tell what the title actually is, because the cover reads as shown - MR.M.A.X. / MAX HEADROOM CALLING - but the spine reads MR. M.A.X. / HIT THE BEAT MAX!, and the inside list has, sandwiched between cuts of those titles, one titled MAX TO THE RHYTHM DUB. The title cut is included here as a sample.
| MR. M.A.X.: "Max Headroom Calling" (3:47) |
It is definitely a commercially-produced product by Polydor (offset-printed sleeve, smooth-edged pressed CD, all details such as catalog number and bar code)... but there is no copyright information except for Polydor.
Which is sensible, as this disc has nothing to do with Max Headroom except for having borrowed the name and a famous image. The cuts are strictly run-of-the-mill techno/club mixes, and while the female vocalists repeatedly call (for/out) "Max Headroom," the "Max" lines are done by a very bad impersonator with a pronounced German accent.
Max Headroom: Mega Dance (1989)
In the same time frame as the above single, a two-disc (vinyl and CD) dance mix album was released, headlined by the same MR. M.A.X. and appearing under the Max Headroom "brand."
A complete track and production listing can be found at Discogs.com.
Yet another "Max Headroom Präsentiert (presents): Dance Hits" dance-mix album is listed at Discogs.com, as well.
I suspect this is not a complete listing, but I will add to it as I find other examples of Max's brief, er, r-r-r-reich.
