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{{Short description|German actor and film director (1902–1987)}}
{{Short description|German actor and film director (1902–1987)}}
{{for|the German swimmer|Gustav Fröhlich (swimmer)}}
{{for|the German swimmer|Gustav Fröhlich (swimmer)}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Gustav Fröhlich
| name = Gustav Fröhlich
| image = Bolváry Géza, Farkas Jenő és Gustav Fröhlich (cropped).jpg
| image = Gustav Fröhlich (1938).jpg
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| caption = Gustav Fröhlich in 1926
| caption = Fröhlich in 1938
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1902|3|21|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1902|3|21|df=y}}
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'''Gustav Friedrich Fröhlich''' (21 March 1902 – 22 December 1987) was a German actor and film director. He landed secondary roles in a number of films and plays before landing his breakthrough role of Freder Fredersen in [[Fritz Lang]]'s [[1927 in film|1927 film]] ''[[Metropolis (1927 film)|Metropolis]]''. He remained a popular film star in Germany until the 1950s.
'''Gustav Friedrich Fröhlich''' (21 March 1902 – 22 December 1987) was a German actor and film director. He landed secondary roles in a number of films and plays before landing his breakthrough role of Freder Fredersen in [[Fritz Lang]]'s [[1927 in film|1927 film]] ''[[Metropolis (1927 film)|Metropolis]]''. He remained a popular film star in Germany until the 1950s.


== Biography ==
== Early life and career ==
⚫
Gustav Fröhlich was born an illegitimate child in [[Hanover]] and was raised by foster parents. Before becoming an actor, he worked for a short time as an editor of a provincial newspaper and as the author of popular novels. During [[World War I]], he also volunteered for duty in occupied [[Brussels]] as a press supervisor.
⚫
=== Early life and Weimar Republic ===
⚫
Gustav Fröhlich was born an illegitimate child in [[Hanover]] and was raised by foster parents. Before becoming an actor, he worked for a short time as an editor of a provincial newspaper and as the author of popular novels. During [[World War I]], he also volunteered for duty in occupied [[Brussels]] as a press supervisor.


⚫
=== Weimar Republic ===
⚫
Gustav Fröhlich began his stage career in the early 1920s at minor theatres in Germany. He quickly achieved more important roles and appeared as ''[[The Prince of Homburg (play)|The Prince of Homburg]]'' at the [[Deutsches Theater (Berlin)|Deutsche Theater]] under the direction of [[Max Reinhardt]]. One of Fröhlich's first film roles was composer [[Franz Liszt]] in ''Paganini'' in 1922. This was followed by a string of bit parts and supporting roles in film. He landed his breakthrough role as Freder Fredersen in [[Fritz Lang]]'s film epic ''[[Metropolis (1927 film)|Metropolis]]'' (1927). Although the film itself was a financial failure, it established him as a leading film star in Germany. He was also notable for his appearance in ''[[Asphalt (1929 film)|Asphalt]]'' (1929), in which his restrained performance is still impressive today. In 1930, he was called to Hollywood to play roles in German versions of American films such as ''Die heilige Flamme'' and ''Kismet''. He often appeared in musicals or comedies as a romantic hero and smart gentleman.
Gustav Fröhlich began his stage career in the early 1920s at minor theatres in Germany. He quickly achieved more important roles and appeared as ''[[The Prince of Homburg (play)|The Prince of Homburg]]'' at the [[Deutsches Theater (Berlin)|Deutsche Theater]] under the direction of [[Max Reinhardt]].

One of Fröhlich's first film roles was composer [[Franz Liszt]] in ''Paganini'' in 1922. This was followed by a string of bit parts and supporting roles in films.

He landed his breakthrough role as the "dashing" Freder Fredersen in [[Fritz Lang]]'s epic film ''[[Metropolis (1927 film)|Metropolis]]'' (1927).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ewens |first=Joseph |date=November 2010 |title=Metropolis |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=asu&AN=505299441&lang=en-gb&site=eds-live&scope=site |access-date=2024-07-17 |work=Film International |via=[[EBSCOHost]]}}</ref> Fröhlich described Lang as a demanding director, recalling that "In scenes of physical discomfort, he tormented his actors until they did suffer".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roberts |first=Rex |date=2002 |title=AULD LANG SYNE |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=7046751&lang=en-gb&site=eds-live&scope=site |access-date=2024-07-17 |work=Insight on the News |via=[[EBSCOHost]]}}</ref>

⚫
Although the film itself was a financial failure, it established him as a leading film star in Germany. He was also notable for his appearance in ''[[Asphalt (1929 film)|Asphalt]]'' (1929), in which his restrained performance is still impressive today. In 1930, he was called to Hollywood to play roles in German versions of American films such as ''Die heilige Flamme'' and ''Kismet''. He often appeared in musicals or comedies as a romantic hero and smart gentleman.


=== Third Reich ===
=== Third Reich ===
In 1933, Fröhlich directed the film ''[[The Rakoczi March|Rakoczy-Marsch]]'', in which he also portrayed the leading role. He would direct another seven films and was screenwriter on five, until the 1950s.
In 1933, Fröhlich directed the film ''[[The Rakoczi March|Rakoczy-Marsch]]'', in which he also portrayed the leading role. He would direct another seven films and was screenwriter on five, until the 1950s.

During the Third Reich, Gustav Fröhlich remained one of the foremost male stars in German film (along with [[Hans Albers]], [[Willy Fritsch]] and [[Heinz Rühmann]]). Between 1931 and 1935, Fröhlich was married to Hungarian opera star, and actress [[Gitta Alpár]], with whom he had a child, Julika.

For a time, he lived with the actress [[Lida Baarova]] until she became involved with the Nazi propaganda minister, [[Joseph Goebbels]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Conrad |first=Peter |date=22 June 2001 |title=Goebbels' mistress tells tale from the grave |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ottawa-citizen-goebbels-mistress-te/151485083/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |work=[[The Ottawa Citizen]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>


During the Third Reich, Gustav Fröhlich remained one of the foremost male stars in German film (along with [[Hans Albers]], [[Willy Fritsch]] and [[Heinz Rühmann]]). Between 1931 and 1935, Fröhlich was married to Hungarian opera star, and actress [[Gitta Alpár]], with whom he had a child, Julika. He was engaged to the actress [[Lida Baarova]] until she became involved with the Nazi propaganda minister, [[Joseph Goebbels]]. There is also an unconfirmed story that Fröhlich slapped Goebbels in a fit of jealous rage.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0297054/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm IMDb]</ref> In 1937, he rented his house in [[Berchtesgaden]] to Hitler's architect, [[Albert Speer]]. In 1941, he served in the [[Wehrmacht]] ''[[Landschützen-Regiment]]'' and in the same year, married [[Maria Hajek]]. They remained married until her death in 1987.
There is also an unconfirmed story that Fröhlich slapped Goebbels in a fit of jealous rage.<ref>''The Ciano Diaries 1939-1943'', entry of February 13, 1939.</ref> In 1937, he rented his house in [[Berchtesgaden]] to Hitler's architect, [[Albert Speer]]. In 1941, he served in the [[Wehrmacht]] ''[[Landschützen-Regiment]]'' and in the same year, married [[Maria Hajek]]. They remained married until her death in 1987.


=== Later life ===
== Later life ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2024}}
Gustav Fröhlich was seldom involved in Nazi [[Propaganda film]]s, a fact that helped him to establish a new film career after World War II. He remained a busy actor after the war but his roles changed from leading men to supporting parts as he got older. His best-known role during this time was perhaps in ''[[Die Sünderin]]'' (1951) with [[Hildegard Knef]], in which Fröhlich portrayed a terminally ill painter. ''Die Sünderin'' caused a scandal because of its open treatment of several taboos such as nudity, suicide and euthanasia.
Gustav Fröhlich was seldom involved in Nazi [[propaganda film]]s, a fact that helped him to establish a new film career after World War II. He remained a busy actor after the war but his roles changed from leading men to supporting parts as he got older. His best-known role during this time was perhaps in ''[[Die Sünderin]]'' (1951) with [[Hildegard Knef]], in which Fröhlich portrayed a terminally ill painter. ''Die Sünderin'' caused a scandal because of its open treatment of several taboos such as nudity, suicide and euthanasia.


Fröhlich generally retired from film business in 1956, but he still managed to make occasional film and television appearances until the early 1980s. In 1973, he received the [[Deutscher Filmpreis|German Film Award]] for Lifetime Achievements. From 1956, Fröhlich lived in [[Lugano]], Switzerland, where he died in 1987, from complications after surgery.
Fröhlich retired from the film business in 1956, but he still managed to make occasional film and television appearances until the early 1980s. In 1973, he received the [[Deutscher Filmpreis|German Film Award]] for Lifetime Achievements. From 1956, Fröhlich lived in [[Lugano]], Switzerland, where he died in 1987, from complications after surgery.


== Selected filmography ==
== Selected filmography ==
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*''[[The Master of Nuremberg]]'' (1927) – Walter von Stolzing
*''[[The Master of Nuremberg]]'' (1927) – Walter von Stolzing
*''[[The Eleven Devils]]'' (1927) – Tommy, der Mittelstürmer
*''[[The Eleven Devils]]'' (1927) – Tommy, der Mittelstürmer
*''Jahrmarkt des Lebens'' (1927)
*''[[Tough Guys, Easy Girls]]'' (1927) – Martin Overbeck jun.
*''[[Tough Guys, Easy Girls]]'' (1927) – Martin Overbeck jun.
*''[[The Duty to Remain Silent]]'' (1928) – Gerhard, ihr Sohn
*''[[The Duty to Remain Silent]]'' (1928) – Gerhard, ihr Sohn
*''Jahrmarkt des Lebens'' (1928)
* ''[[The Market of Life]]'' (1928)
*''[[The Foreign Legionnaire]]'' (1928) – Martin Frey
*''[[The Foreign Legionnaire]]'' (1928) – Martin Frey
*''[[Angst (1928 film)|Angst]]'' (1928)
*''[[Angst (1928 film)|Angst]]'' (1928)
Line 86: Line 97:
*''Sonnenstrahl'' (1933) – Hans
*''Sonnenstrahl'' (1933) – Hans
*''Rund um eine Million'' (1933) – Léon Saval
*''Rund um eine Million'' (1933) – Léon Saval
*''[[The Racokzi March]]'' (1933, also directed)<ref>[[IMDb]] [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486149/ page] on ''Rakoczy-Marsch'' (accessed 5 September 2013)</ref> – Oberleutnant Tarjan
*''[[The Racokzi March]]'' (1933, also directed)<ref>[[IMDb]] [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486149/ page] on ''Rakoczy-Marsch'' (accessed 5 September 2013)</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=July 2024|certain=n}} – Oberleutnant Tarjan
*''Gardez le sourire'' (1933) – Jean
*''Gardez le sourire'' (1933) – Jean
*''[[The Fugitive from Chicago]]'' (1934) – Michael Nissen
*''[[The Fugitive from Chicago]]'' (1934) – Michael Nissen
Line 110: Line 121:
*''[[Renate in the Quartet]]'' (1939) – Kurt Kielmansdorf
*''[[Renate in the Quartet]]'' (1939) – Kurt Kielmansdorf
*''[[Alarm at Station III]]'' (1939) – Arne Kolk, Zollwachtmeister
*''[[Alarm at Station III]]'' (1939) – Arne Kolk, Zollwachtmeister
*''Adieu Vienne'' (1939) – Franz Mansfield
* ''[[Goodbye Vienna]]'' (1939) – Franz Mansfield
*''{{Ill|Ihr Privatsekretär|de|Ihr Privatsekretär (1940)}}'' (1940) – Der Privatsekretär
*''{{Ill|Ihr Privatsekretär|de|Ihr Privatsekretär (1940)}}'' (1940) – Der Privatsekretär
*''Alles Schwindel'' (1940) – Peter Graf von Asfeld
*''Alles Schwindel'' (1940) – Peter Graf von Asfeld
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[[Category:German male silent film actors]]
[[Category:German male silent film actors]]
[[Category:German male stage actors]]
[[Category:German male stage actors]]
[[Category:Actors from Hanover]]
[[Category:Male actors from Hanover]]
[[Category:People from Lugano]]
[[Category:People from Lugano]]

Latest revision as of 10:38, 30 August 2024

For the German swimmer, see Gustav Fröhlich (swimmer).
Gustav Fröhlich
Fröhlich in 1938
Born(1902-03-21)21 March 1902
Hanover, German Empire
Died22 December 1987(1987-12-22) (aged 85)
Lugano, Switzerland
Occupations
  • Actor
  • film director
Years active1922–1956 (sporadically until early 1980s)
Spouse(s)Gitta Alpar (1931–1935, divorced) (1 child)
Maria Hajek (1941–1987, her death)

Gustav Friedrich Fröhlich (21 March 1902 – 22 December 1987) was a German actor and film director. He landed secondary roles in a number of films and plays before landing his breakthrough role of Freder Fredersen in Fritz Lang's 1927 film Metropolis. He remained a popular film star in Germany until the 1950s.

Early life and career

[edit]

Gustav Fröhlich was born an illegitimate child in Hanover and was raised by foster parents. Before becoming an actor, he worked for a short time as an editor of a provincial newspaper and as the author of popular novels. During World War I, he also volunteered for duty in occupied Brussels as a press supervisor.

Weimar Republic

[edit]

Gustav Fröhlich began his stage career in the early 1920s at minor theatres in Germany. He quickly achieved more important roles and appeared as The Prince of Homburg at the Deutsche Theater under the direction of Max Reinhardt.

One of Fröhlich's first film roles was composer Franz Liszt in Paganini in 1922. This was followed by a string of bit parts and supporting roles in films.

He landed his breakthrough role as the "dashing" Freder Fredersen in Fritz Lang's epic film Metropolis (1927).[1] Fröhlich described Lang as a demanding director, recalling that "In scenes of physical discomfort, he tormented his actors until they did suffer".[2]

Although the film itself was a financial failure, it established him as a leading film star in Germany. He was also notable for his appearance in Asphalt (1929), in which his restrained performance is still impressive today. In 1930, he was called to Hollywood to play roles in German versions of American films such as Die heilige Flamme and Kismet. He often appeared in musicals or comedies as a romantic hero and smart gentleman.

Third Reich

[edit]

In 1933, Fröhlich directed the film Rakoczy-Marsch, in which he also portrayed the leading role. He would direct another seven films and was screenwriter on five, until the 1950s.

During the Third Reich, Gustav Fröhlich remained one of the foremost male stars in German film (along with Hans Albers, Willy Fritsch and Heinz Rühmann). Between 1931 and 1935, Fröhlich was married to Hungarian opera star, and actress Gitta Alpár, with whom he had a child, Julika.

For a time, he lived with the actress Lida Baarova until she became involved with the Nazi propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels.[3]

There is also an unconfirmed story that Fröhlich slapped Goebbels in a fit of jealous rage.[4] In 1937, he rented his house in Berchtesgaden to Hitler's architect, Albert Speer. In 1941, he served in the Wehrmacht Landschützen-Regiment and in the same year, married Maria Hajek. They remained married until her death in 1987.

Later life

[edit]

Gustav Fröhlich was seldom involved in Nazi propaganda films, a fact that helped him to establish a new film career after World War II. He remained a busy actor after the war but his roles changed from leading men to supporting parts as he got older. His best-known role during this time was perhaps in Die Sünderin (1951) with Hildegard Knef, in which Fröhlich portrayed a terminally ill painter. Die Sünderin caused a scandal because of its open treatment of several taboos such as nudity, suicide and euthanasia.

Fröhlich retired from the film business in 1956, but he still managed to make occasional film and television appearances until the early 1980s. In 1973, he received the German Film Award for Lifetime Achievements. From 1956, Fröhlich lived in Lugano, Switzerland, where he died in 1987, from complications after surgery.

Selected filmography

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ewens, Joseph (November 2010). "Metropolis". Film International. Retrieved 17 July 2024 – via EBSCOHost.
  2. ^ Roberts, Rex (2002). "AULD LANG SYNE". Insight on the News. Retrieved 17 July 2024 – via EBSCOHost.
  3. ^ Conrad, Peter (22 June 2001). "Goebbels' mistress tells tale from the grave". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 17 July 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ The Ciano Diaries 1939-1943, entry of February 13, 1939.
  5. ^ IMDb page on Rakoczy-Marsch (accessed 5 September 2013)
[edit]
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