I'm looking for info on Renate Muller
She was a German actress who died on the 1st October 1937.
was looking out of a window when a car pulled up outside the sanatorium and four SS officers got out. In a state of panic she jumped out of the window and was killed.
Some say she killed her self because she had an relation with a Jewsih Man
Does anyone have info
Best Regards
Renate Müller
-
Dutch Lion
- Member
- Posts: 49
- Joined: 21 Jun 2005, 14:27
- Location: The Netherlands
Renate Müller
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Renate Muller was an extremely popular actress in Germany beginning in the Weimar era. She, unlike Marlena Dietrich, stayed in Germany during the Hitler era, much to the chagrin of the Hollywood Harrys who like to make up fairytales about how all the "good people" left Hitler's Germany. The next best thing for them to do was fabricate stories about her death, so that some sort of propaganda value could be had. Trouble was, they couldn't decide on which story to use. This confusion on their part is humorously reflected by searching Google for "Renate Muller." The stories are legion. Here are excerpts from the first four that pop up when one Googles, there are many more to be read:
Quote 1. "Renate Müller had to put her career aside in 1934 because of a serious illness (probaply epilepsy) and acted only seldom in front of the camera. When she unexpected died in October 1, 1937 in a sanatorium in Berlin, her early death and her unfortunate love with a Jewish emigrant gave rise to speculations which was thoroughly exploited by the press."
Quote 2. "...however, over the years, especially when they began putting her in propaganda films, such as Togger (1937). She died tragically at age 31 on October 1, 1937, having checked into a Berlin hospital for knee surgery (some sources say drug addiction). She apparently fell or was pushed out of a third-story window and died instantly. Some sources say it was suicide due to her desperate unhappiness over the rise of Nazi Germany and her artistic entrapment."
Quote 3. "...starring in the blatantly anti-Semitic Togger (1937). The situation made her a nervous wreck and in October 1937 she checked into a clinic, ostensibly for treatment of a knee injury. She never returned. Renate Müller's death on October 10, 1937 was in all likelihood a suicide and proved a public relations disaster for the regime in general and Goebbels in particular."
Quote 4. "When she died suddenly, the German press stated the cause as epilepsy, however in later years it was discovered she had died as a result of a fall from her hotel window. Officially described as a suicide, it was theorised that she took her own life when her relationship with Nazi leaders deteriorated after she showed unwillingness to appear in propaganda films."
Oh, but do the facts vary! Nothing like a bunch of draft-dodging writers making up propaganda tales -- richly rewarding, too.
Also, note that she had a Jewish lover in late 1937. Hmmm, thought we were told Hitler put all the Jewish people in concentration camps. Must have come as a shock finding out that one was messing around with one of the Reich's most popular movie stars.
Of further interest: It was widely known that Marlena Dietrich felt she was shabbily treated by Hollywood after the war ended. The only notable role she obtained postwar, as I recall, was in the film, "Trial at Nurnberg," and that was really quite a minor one. The old saying, "The traitor's deed is well liked by the enemy, but the traitor not.," perhaps explains Detrich's lack of movie work. It speaks volumes that Dietrich's choice for burial was Berlin, Germany, not a Hollywood Cemetary; although, I'm sure those Hollywood Harrys made it appear like some sort of sit-in protest on her part.
Quote 1. "Renate Müller had to put her career aside in 1934 because of a serious illness (probaply epilepsy) and acted only seldom in front of the camera. When she unexpected died in October 1, 1937 in a sanatorium in Berlin, her early death and her unfortunate love with a Jewish emigrant gave rise to speculations which was thoroughly exploited by the press."
Quote 2. "...however, over the years, especially when they began putting her in propaganda films, such as Togger (1937). She died tragically at age 31 on October 1, 1937, having checked into a Berlin hospital for knee surgery (some sources say drug addiction). She apparently fell or was pushed out of a third-story window and died instantly. Some sources say it was suicide due to her desperate unhappiness over the rise of Nazi Germany and her artistic entrapment."
Quote 3. "...starring in the blatantly anti-Semitic Togger (1937). The situation made her a nervous wreck and in October 1937 she checked into a clinic, ostensibly for treatment of a knee injury. She never returned. Renate Müller's death on October 10, 1937 was in all likelihood a suicide and proved a public relations disaster for the regime in general and Goebbels in particular."
Quote 4. "When she died suddenly, the German press stated the cause as epilepsy, however in later years it was discovered she had died as a result of a fall from her hotel window. Officially described as a suicide, it was theorised that she took her own life when her relationship with Nazi leaders deteriorated after she showed unwillingness to appear in propaganda films."
Oh, but do the facts vary! Nothing like a bunch of draft-dodging writers making up propaganda tales -- richly rewarding, too.
Also, note that she had a Jewish lover in late 1937. Hmmm, thought we were told Hitler put all the Jewish people in concentration camps. Must have come as a shock finding out that one was messing around with one of the Reich's most popular movie stars.
Of further interest: It was widely known that Marlena Dietrich felt she was shabbily treated by Hollywood after the war ended. The only notable role she obtained postwar, as I recall, was in the film, "Trial at Nurnberg," and that was really quite a minor one. The old saying, "The traitor's deed is well liked by the enemy, but the traitor not.," perhaps explains Detrich's lack of movie work. It speaks volumes that Dietrich's choice for burial was Berlin, Germany, not a Hollywood Cemetary; although, I'm sure those Hollywood Harrys made it appear like some sort of sit-in protest on her part.
-
Dutch Lion
- Member
- Posts: 49
- Joined: 21 Jun 2005, 14:27
- Location: The Netherlands
I'm researching Renate Muller TOO!
I've found loads, much of it repeats itself.
I'm also watching some films from the same time period. I'm having no luck finding any films she's been in. Togger is, as far as I know, the only Nazi propaganda film she has been in and I can't seem to find a copy.
Maybe we could help each other out. I'll try and post most everything I've found so far, although I don't think I saved all the source info. Lots of the stuff repeats / contradicts.
Biography
The ultimately tragic Renate Müller blazed onto international screens in Die Privatesekretärin (The Private Secretary, 1931), a sort of Germanic Joan Crawford getting by in a man's world on her wits and a pair of shapely legs. The comedy was so popular that Müller also made an English-language version, entitled The Office Girl and featuring popular U.K. star Owen Nares.
The daughter of one of Munich's leading newspaper publishers, Müller had studied with Max Reinhardt and played opposite famed Italian actor Alessandro Moissi on-stage in Zweimal Oliver prior to entering films in the comedy Peter the Matrose (Peter the Sailor, 1929). The advent of talkies made her a star and she filmed in both Italy and Egypt.
But storm clouds were already gathering. Recently appointed minister of propaganda and thus head of the newly "nazified" German film industry, the sardonic Joseph Goebbels liked Müller enough to try to pair her off with none other than Adolf Hitler himself. Using all kind of pretexts, she managed to escape this unwholesome fate and continued to appear in a series of popular, if lightweight, potboilers, mainly musicals. But Goebbels, who had her placed under constant surveillance by the Gestapo, kept pestering her to appear in propaganda films and she finally gave in, starring in the blatantly anti-Semitic Togger (1937).
The situation made her a nervous wreck and in October 1937 she checked into a clinic, ostensibly for treatment of a knee injury. She never returned. Renate Müller's death on October 10, 1937 was in all likelihood a suicide and proved a public relations disaster for the regime in general and Goebbels in particular. To counteract the public's negative reactions, the ministry of propaganda spread rumors that she had become addicted to morphine, that she was an alcoholic and mentally disturbed, but no one really doubted that Müller was driven to her early death by Goebbel's lackeys in the Gestapo. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
http://www.answers.com/topic/renate-m-ller
Togger
Deutschland 1936/1937, Spielfilm
Credits
. Regie Jürgen von Alten
.
. Drehbuch Walter Forster, Heinz Bierkowski
.
. Kamera Reimar Kuntze, Benno Stinauer
.
. Musik Harold Kirschstein
.
.
.
. Darsteller
.
. Renate Müller Hanna
.
. Paul Hartmann Togger
.
. Mathias Wieman Peter
.
. Heinz Salfner Professor Breitenbach
.
. Hilde Seipp Maria
.
. Paul Otto Breitenbach
.
. Fritz Odemar Mariano
.
. Walter Franck Berg
.
. Karl Hellmer Polle
.
. Franz W. Schröder-Schrom Wölfer
.
.
.
. Produktionsfirma Minerva-Tonfilm GmbH (Berlin)
.
FILMPORTAL.de
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Müller meet Adolf Hitler while making a film on location near the Danish coast. They spent a great deal of time together but the relationship became strained as a result of his strange behaviour.
After Müller left Hitler she was followed by the Gestapo. As Müller had information that could damage Hitler she became worried about her safety. She became addicted to morphine and went into a sanatorium. On 1st October 1937 Renate Müller was looking out of a window when a car pulled up outside the sanatorium and four SS officers got out. In a state of panic she jumped out of the window and was killed.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GERrenate.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plot Summary for
Liebling der Götter (1960)
Biography of the famous German actress Renate Mueller, who died in 1937 under unsettled circumstances; While doing her first movie for the UFA in Berlin, she meets the elderly secretary-general Dr. Simon and is impressed by his charm. Although her Nazi-friend Volker discourages her to befriend a Jew, they start dating. While she ascends to one of the most famous German actresses of her time, Simon is suffering more and more under the Nazi regime.
FILM BIOGRAPHY OF RENATE MULLER"S LIFE!!! actress playing renate = Ruth Leuwerik
Directed by
Gottfried Reinhardt
Writing credits
George Hurdalek
------------------------------------------------------------------
The actress Renate Müller experience a comet-like success at the beginning of the 30's which was abruptly ended with her early death.
Renate Müller began her artistic career with singing lessons. When she attended an acting training at the Reinhardt-Schule she laid the foundation of her short career.
She already made her stage debut in 1925 at the Harzer Bergtheater in the play "Sommernachtstraum. It followed engagements at the Lessing-Theater, at the Barnowsky-Bühnen and at the Staatstheater.
The film called for her already in 1928, when the pictures were flickering silent over the screen. Reinhold Schünzel, who directed eight of her movies in all, engaged her for "Peter, der Matrose" (29). But her real breakthrough came with the talkies where she also could advantageous use her trained singing voice.
Renate Müller represented the natural and self-confident woman who stood on her own two feet and impersonated a new type in the German cinema.
With the movies "Liebling der Götter" (30), "Die Privatsekretärin" (31), "Saison in Kairo" (33), "Viktor und Viktoria" (33), "Die englische Heirat" (34) and "Allotria" (36) she reached the first Guards of German actresses.
Renate Müller had to put her career aside in 1934 because of a serious illness (probaply epilepsy) and acted only seldom in front of the camera. When she unexpected died in October 1, 1937 in a sanatorium in Berlin, her early death and her unfortunate love with a Jewish emigrant gave rise to speculations which was thoroughly exploited by the press.
Her life was adapted for the screen in 1960 with the actress Ruth Leuwerik. The movie was called "Liebling der Götter" (60).
http://www.cyranos.ch/smmuel-e.htm german movie database
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
IMDbPro Professional Details
Filmography as: Actress
Actress - filmography
(1930s) (1920s)
1. Togger (1937) .... Hanna Breitenbach
2. Allotria (1936) .... Viola
... aka Hokum (International: English title)
3. Eskapade (1936)
... aka Geheimagentin Helene
... aka His Official Wife (USA: informal English title)
... aka Seine offizielle Frau
4. Liebesleute (1935)
... aka A Pair of Lovers (USA)
5. Liselotte von der Pfalz (1935) .... Liselotte
... aka Frauen um den Sonnenkönig (Germany)
... aka Liselotte of the Palatinate (literal English title)
... aka The Private Life of Louis XIV
6. Englische Heirat, Die (1934) .... Gerte Winter
7. Viktor und Viktoria (1933) .... Susanne Lohr
... aka Viktor and Viktoria (USA)
8. Walzerkrieg (1933) .... Kati Lanner
... aka Waltz Time in Vienna
... aka Waltz War
9. Saison in Kairo (1933) .... Stefanie von Weidling-Weidling
... aka Cairo Season (USA)
10. Idylle au Caire (1933) .... Stéphy
11. Mädchen zum Heiraten (1932) .... Gerda Arnhold
12. Marry Me (1932) .... Ann Linden
13. Wenn die Liebe Mode macht (1932) .... Nelly
... aka When Love Sets the Fashion (USA)
14. Wie sag' ich's meinem Mann? (1932) .... Charlotte Oltendorf
... aka How Shall I Tell My Husband? (USA)
15. Sunshine Susie (1931) .... Susie Surster
... aka The Office Girl (USA)
16. Kleine Seitensprung, Der (1931) .... Erika Heller
... aka The Little Escapade (UK: literal English title)
17. Blumenfrau von Lindenau, Die (1931) .... Victoria
... aka Storm in a Water Glass (USA)
... aka Sturm im Wasserglas
... aka The Flower Woman of Lindenau
18. Privatsekretärin, Die (1931) .... Vilma Förster
... aka Private Secretary (USA: informal literal English title)
... aka The Office Girl (USA: informal English title)
19. Flötenkonzert von Sans-souci, Das (1930) .... Blanche von Lindeneck
... aka The Flute Concert of Sans-Souci (USA)
20. Liebling der Götter (1930) .... Agathe
... aka Darling of the Gods
... aka Große Tenor, Der (Germany)
21. Sohn der weißen Berge, Der (1930) .... Mary Dulac
... aka The Son of the White Mountain (USA)
22. Liebe im Ring (1930) .... Hilde, the Fish Peddler's Daughter (Joan in USA version)
... aka Love in the Ring (USA)
... aka The Comeback (USA)
23. Revolte im Erziehungshaus (1930)
24. Liebeslied (1930)
25. Drei machen ihr Glück (1929)
... aka Teure Heimat
26. Peter der Matrose (1929) .... Victoria
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Biography for
Renate Müller (I)
Height
5' 7" (1.70 m)
Mini biography
Highly popular German star Renate Muller was the toast of late 20s Berlin along with the legendary Marlene Dietrich. Unlike Dietrich, however, she suffered at the hands of the Nazis and died under mysterious circumstances. Renate was born in Munich on April 26, 1906, the daughter of a newspaper editor-in-chief and a painter. As a child she lived a privileged, well-to-do life in pre-Nazi Germany. An early interest in acting and poetry led her to the Harzer Bergtheater under the tutelage of Georg Wilhelm Pabst, one of her professors at school. By the late 20s she had established herself as one of Berlin's most active and versatile stage players. Actor/director Reinhold Schünzel hired Renate for her first movie and used her again many times in some of her (and his) best films. As her American counterparts at the time were Claudette Colbert and Nancy Carroll, Renate too became a shining star of light, sexy comedies. Pert, stylish and wholesomely pretty, she had just enough of an edge to make her impish sexuality all the more interesting.
The highlights of her rather brief career were The Office Girl (1931), which made her a star, and Viktor and Viktoria (1936), the widely popular romantic story of a woman who disguises herself as a man. In the mid-30s, however, the entertainment industry was becoming acutely affected by the rise of Hitler. While the outraged Dietrich turned her back on her country and became a U.S. citizen, Renate stayed true and remained in her homeland despite her intense dislike of the bleak political situation. She became less cooperative, however, over the years, especially when they began putting her in propaganda films, such as Togger (1937). She died tragically at age 31 on October 1, 1937, having checked into a Berlin hospital for knee surgery (some sources say drug addiction). She apparently fell or was pushed out of a third-story window and died instantly. Some sources say it was suicide due to her desperate unhappiness over the rise of Nazi Germany and her artistic entrapment. Others insist it was a murder covered up by the fascist regime. Those who favor this story claim that her death was the result of her lack of cooperation, her clandestine involvement with a Jewish man, and the regime's fear that she was going to turn traitor and leave Germany. In any event, her death was deeply felt and she was mourned by her many fans who weren't even allowed to attend her funeral.
IMDb mini-biography by
Gary Brumburgh / [email protected]
------------------------------------------------------------------
Hopefully this helps.
If you have any more juicy details or any good sources, please let me know. I'm an actor researching her to write and perform a monologue about her.
---Ing
I'm also watching some films from the same time period. I'm having no luck finding any films she's been in. Togger is, as far as I know, the only Nazi propaganda film she has been in and I can't seem to find a copy.
Maybe we could help each other out. I'll try and post most everything I've found so far, although I don't think I saved all the source info. Lots of the stuff repeats / contradicts.
Biography
The ultimately tragic Renate Müller blazed onto international screens in Die Privatesekretärin (The Private Secretary, 1931), a sort of Germanic Joan Crawford getting by in a man's world on her wits and a pair of shapely legs. The comedy was so popular that Müller also made an English-language version, entitled The Office Girl and featuring popular U.K. star Owen Nares.
The daughter of one of Munich's leading newspaper publishers, Müller had studied with Max Reinhardt and played opposite famed Italian actor Alessandro Moissi on-stage in Zweimal Oliver prior to entering films in the comedy Peter the Matrose (Peter the Sailor, 1929). The advent of talkies made her a star and she filmed in both Italy and Egypt.
But storm clouds were already gathering. Recently appointed minister of propaganda and thus head of the newly "nazified" German film industry, the sardonic Joseph Goebbels liked Müller enough to try to pair her off with none other than Adolf Hitler himself. Using all kind of pretexts, she managed to escape this unwholesome fate and continued to appear in a series of popular, if lightweight, potboilers, mainly musicals. But Goebbels, who had her placed under constant surveillance by the Gestapo, kept pestering her to appear in propaganda films and she finally gave in, starring in the blatantly anti-Semitic Togger (1937).
The situation made her a nervous wreck and in October 1937 she checked into a clinic, ostensibly for treatment of a knee injury. She never returned. Renate Müller's death on October 10, 1937 was in all likelihood a suicide and proved a public relations disaster for the regime in general and Goebbels in particular. To counteract the public's negative reactions, the ministry of propaganda spread rumors that she had become addicted to morphine, that she was an alcoholic and mentally disturbed, but no one really doubted that Müller was driven to her early death by Goebbel's lackeys in the Gestapo. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
http://www.answers.com/topic/renate-m-ller
Togger
Deutschland 1936/1937, Spielfilm
Credits
. Regie Jürgen von Alten
.
. Drehbuch Walter Forster, Heinz Bierkowski
.
. Kamera Reimar Kuntze, Benno Stinauer
.
. Musik Harold Kirschstein
.
.
.
. Darsteller
.
. Renate Müller Hanna
.
. Paul Hartmann Togger
.
. Mathias Wieman Peter
.
. Heinz Salfner Professor Breitenbach
.
. Hilde Seipp Maria
.
. Paul Otto Breitenbach
.
. Fritz Odemar Mariano
.
. Walter Franck Berg
.
. Karl Hellmer Polle
.
. Franz W. Schröder-Schrom Wölfer
.
.
.
. Produktionsfirma Minerva-Tonfilm GmbH (Berlin)
.
FILMPORTAL.de
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Müller meet Adolf Hitler while making a film on location near the Danish coast. They spent a great deal of time together but the relationship became strained as a result of his strange behaviour.
After Müller left Hitler she was followed by the Gestapo. As Müller had information that could damage Hitler she became worried about her safety. She became addicted to morphine and went into a sanatorium. On 1st October 1937 Renate Müller was looking out of a window when a car pulled up outside the sanatorium and four SS officers got out. In a state of panic she jumped out of the window and was killed.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GERrenate.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plot Summary for
Liebling der Götter (1960)
Biography of the famous German actress Renate Mueller, who died in 1937 under unsettled circumstances; While doing her first movie for the UFA in Berlin, she meets the elderly secretary-general Dr. Simon and is impressed by his charm. Although her Nazi-friend Volker discourages her to befriend a Jew, they start dating. While she ascends to one of the most famous German actresses of her time, Simon is suffering more and more under the Nazi regime.
FILM BIOGRAPHY OF RENATE MULLER"S LIFE!!! actress playing renate = Ruth Leuwerik
Directed by
Gottfried Reinhardt
Writing credits
George Hurdalek
------------------------------------------------------------------
The actress Renate Müller experience a comet-like success at the beginning of the 30's which was abruptly ended with her early death.
Renate Müller began her artistic career with singing lessons. When she attended an acting training at the Reinhardt-Schule she laid the foundation of her short career.
She already made her stage debut in 1925 at the Harzer Bergtheater in the play "Sommernachtstraum. It followed engagements at the Lessing-Theater, at the Barnowsky-Bühnen and at the Staatstheater.
The film called for her already in 1928, when the pictures were flickering silent over the screen. Reinhold Schünzel, who directed eight of her movies in all, engaged her for "Peter, der Matrose" (29). But her real breakthrough came with the talkies where she also could advantageous use her trained singing voice.
Renate Müller represented the natural and self-confident woman who stood on her own two feet and impersonated a new type in the German cinema.
With the movies "Liebling der Götter" (30), "Die Privatsekretärin" (31), "Saison in Kairo" (33), "Viktor und Viktoria" (33), "Die englische Heirat" (34) and "Allotria" (36) she reached the first Guards of German actresses.
Renate Müller had to put her career aside in 1934 because of a serious illness (probaply epilepsy) and acted only seldom in front of the camera. When she unexpected died in October 1, 1937 in a sanatorium in Berlin, her early death and her unfortunate love with a Jewish emigrant gave rise to speculations which was thoroughly exploited by the press.
Her life was adapted for the screen in 1960 with the actress Ruth Leuwerik. The movie was called "Liebling der Götter" (60).
http://www.cyranos.ch/smmuel-e.htm german movie database
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
IMDbPro Professional Details
Filmography as: Actress
Actress - filmography
(1930s) (1920s)
1. Togger (1937) .... Hanna Breitenbach
2. Allotria (1936) .... Viola
... aka Hokum (International: English title)
3. Eskapade (1936)
... aka Geheimagentin Helene
... aka His Official Wife (USA: informal English title)
... aka Seine offizielle Frau
4. Liebesleute (1935)
... aka A Pair of Lovers (USA)
5. Liselotte von der Pfalz (1935) .... Liselotte
... aka Frauen um den Sonnenkönig (Germany)
... aka Liselotte of the Palatinate (literal English title)
... aka The Private Life of Louis XIV
6. Englische Heirat, Die (1934) .... Gerte Winter
7. Viktor und Viktoria (1933) .... Susanne Lohr
... aka Viktor and Viktoria (USA)
8. Walzerkrieg (1933) .... Kati Lanner
... aka Waltz Time in Vienna
... aka Waltz War
9. Saison in Kairo (1933) .... Stefanie von Weidling-Weidling
... aka Cairo Season (USA)
10. Idylle au Caire (1933) .... Stéphy
11. Mädchen zum Heiraten (1932) .... Gerda Arnhold
12. Marry Me (1932) .... Ann Linden
13. Wenn die Liebe Mode macht (1932) .... Nelly
... aka When Love Sets the Fashion (USA)
14. Wie sag' ich's meinem Mann? (1932) .... Charlotte Oltendorf
... aka How Shall I Tell My Husband? (USA)
15. Sunshine Susie (1931) .... Susie Surster
... aka The Office Girl (USA)
16. Kleine Seitensprung, Der (1931) .... Erika Heller
... aka The Little Escapade (UK: literal English title)
17. Blumenfrau von Lindenau, Die (1931) .... Victoria
... aka Storm in a Water Glass (USA)
... aka Sturm im Wasserglas
... aka The Flower Woman of Lindenau
18. Privatsekretärin, Die (1931) .... Vilma Förster
... aka Private Secretary (USA: informal literal English title)
... aka The Office Girl (USA: informal English title)
19. Flötenkonzert von Sans-souci, Das (1930) .... Blanche von Lindeneck
... aka The Flute Concert of Sans-Souci (USA)
20. Liebling der Götter (1930) .... Agathe
... aka Darling of the Gods
... aka Große Tenor, Der (Germany)
21. Sohn der weißen Berge, Der (1930) .... Mary Dulac
... aka The Son of the White Mountain (USA)
22. Liebe im Ring (1930) .... Hilde, the Fish Peddler's Daughter (Joan in USA version)
... aka Love in the Ring (USA)
... aka The Comeback (USA)
23. Revolte im Erziehungshaus (1930)
24. Liebeslied (1930)
25. Drei machen ihr Glück (1929)
... aka Teure Heimat
26. Peter der Matrose (1929) .... Victoria
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Biography for
Renate Müller (I)
Height
5' 7" (1.70 m)
Mini biography
Highly popular German star Renate Muller was the toast of late 20s Berlin along with the legendary Marlene Dietrich. Unlike Dietrich, however, she suffered at the hands of the Nazis and died under mysterious circumstances. Renate was born in Munich on April 26, 1906, the daughter of a newspaper editor-in-chief and a painter. As a child she lived a privileged, well-to-do life in pre-Nazi Germany. An early interest in acting and poetry led her to the Harzer Bergtheater under the tutelage of Georg Wilhelm Pabst, one of her professors at school. By the late 20s she had established herself as one of Berlin's most active and versatile stage players. Actor/director Reinhold Schünzel hired Renate for her first movie and used her again many times in some of her (and his) best films. As her American counterparts at the time were Claudette Colbert and Nancy Carroll, Renate too became a shining star of light, sexy comedies. Pert, stylish and wholesomely pretty, she had just enough of an edge to make her impish sexuality all the more interesting.
The highlights of her rather brief career were The Office Girl (1931), which made her a star, and Viktor and Viktoria (1936), the widely popular romantic story of a woman who disguises herself as a man. In the mid-30s, however, the entertainment industry was becoming acutely affected by the rise of Hitler. While the outraged Dietrich turned her back on her country and became a U.S. citizen, Renate stayed true and remained in her homeland despite her intense dislike of the bleak political situation. She became less cooperative, however, over the years, especially when they began putting her in propaganda films, such as Togger (1937). She died tragically at age 31 on October 1, 1937, having checked into a Berlin hospital for knee surgery (some sources say drug addiction). She apparently fell or was pushed out of a third-story window and died instantly. Some sources say it was suicide due to her desperate unhappiness over the rise of Nazi Germany and her artistic entrapment. Others insist it was a murder covered up by the fascist regime. Those who favor this story claim that her death was the result of her lack of cooperation, her clandestine involvement with a Jewish man, and the regime's fear that she was going to turn traitor and leave Germany. In any event, her death was deeply felt and she was mourned by her many fans who weren't even allowed to attend her funeral.
IMDb mini-biography by
Gary Brumburgh / [email protected]
------------------------------------------------------------------
Hopefully this helps.
If you have any more juicy details or any good sources, please let me know. I'm an actor researching her to write and perform a monologue about her.
---Ing