Franz Josef Wanninger is the main character of the series The Curious Methods of Franz Josef Wanninger, an ARD television series produced between 1965 and 1970. 52 black and white episodes of 25 minutes each were broadcast during the afternoon program through Wanninger and Co.

Beppo Brem plays a Bavarian curmudgeon working as an Inspector at the Criminal Investigation Department in Munich, investigating any kind of criminals. He is the man of intractable cases. He suffers of chronic back problems, whether it be his discs or his never-ending lumbago. Similar to Detective Chief Inspector Derrick and his assistant, Harry Klein, Inspector Wanninger also carries out his investigations by travelling with an assistant. This is his naive, but helpful assistant, Froschl (played by Maxl Graf).

The superintendent actually responsible for Wanninger’s cases is the unfriendly Chief Inspector Steiner from North Germany, who never agrees with Wanninger’s methods and who always shows great displeasure at the successful results achieved by Wanninger also. Therefore, the Head of the Criminal Investigation Department, Mitterer, must always stand between the two, especially behind Wanninger’s strange investigation methods.

Wanninger is ideal for undercover operations, since he thereby appears harmless, and can always capture the criminals through his unorthodox methods. Now and then, however, his clumsy ways do threaten to expose him.

But then his assistant, Froschl, comes to the rescue and helps him in these precarious situations, whereby Froschl is never averse the female characters, leading to a running gag in the series.

To the dismay of his colleague, Steiner, Wanninger also involves himself in the cases not assigned to him from time to time. Where the usual methods of investigation fail, Wannigner’s unconventional methods step in.

He has many acquaintances undercover, informants and friends from whom he knows precisely how to obtain the information he seeks. His comrade, Froschl, is always on the side and prefers working for Wanninger than for his actual boss, Steiner.

The series ran from 1978 to 1982, however, with a slightly different title, namely The immortal methods of Franz Josef Wanninger. 60 other episodes told about the retired Wanninger, who still cannot keep away from criminal investigations. Froschl is also featured, but retired as well.

In seasons 1 - 5, which were still broadcast in black and white, there was a variety of different types of criminals such as thieves, robbers, murderers, bombers, thieves, weapons smugglers, etc. In the episodes in colour, the series was somewhat boring. In these, Wanninger was the only one responsible for its high ratings.

The Curious Methods of Franz Josef Wanninger Episode Guide.