Ossi Oswalda
Encyclopedia
Ossi Oswalda born Oswalda Stäglich, was a German actress, who mostly appeared in silent film
s.
, who in turn recommended her to director Ernst Lubitsch
. During her early career, she starred in several films by Lubitsch, including The Merry Jail, I Don't Want to Be a Man
, The Oyster Princess
and The Doll
. Her popularity at the time earned her the nickname 'The German Mary Pickford
'.http://www.sensesofcinema.com/2002/cteq/dont_want/
In 1921, Oswalda started her own film production company with her husband at the time, baron Gustav von Koczian. However, during the next four years they only produced four films, all starring Oswalda. From 1925 on, she was contracted to Ufa
.
Oswalda's career waned along with the silent film era, and she only acted in two sound films, making her final appearance on screen in the 1933 film The Star of Valencia. Later on, she became a stage actor, and in 1943, wrote the story for the Czechoslovakian film Ctrnáctý u stolu. Oswalda died in Prague
at the age of 48, completely impoverished.
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
s.
Career
Oswalda trained as a ballerina and became a dancer for a theater in Berlin. She made her film debut in Richard Oswald's Nächte des Grauens (Night of Horrors) before being discovered by the actor and screenwriter Hanns KrälyHanns Kräly
Hanns Kräly , credited in the United States as Hans Kraly, was a German actor and screenwriter. His main collaborations were with director Ernst Lubitsch, and they worked together on 30 films between 1915 and 1929....
, who in turn recommended her to director Ernst Lubitsch
Ernst Lubitsch
Ernst Lubitsch was a German-born film director. His urbane comedies of manners gave him the reputation of being Hollywood's most elegant and sophisticated director; as his prestige grew, his films were promoted as having "the Lubitsch touch."In 1947 he received an Honorary Academy Award for his...
. During her early career, she starred in several films by Lubitsch, including The Merry Jail, I Don't Want to Be a Man
I Don't Want to Be a Man
I Don't Want to Be a Man is a 1918 German film directed by Ernst Lubitsch.- Cast :*Ossi Oswalda as Ossi*Curt Goetz as Dr. Kersten*Ferry Sikla as Counsellor Brockmüller*Margarete Kupfer as The Governess*Victor Janson...
, The Oyster Princess
The Oyster Princess
The Oyster Princess is a 1919 German silent film directed by Ernst Lubitsch. It is a grotesque comedy in 4 acts about an American millionaire’s spoiled daughter’s marriage that just doesn’t go as planned. The film earned fame from his intangible use of style and sophistication in this movie among...
and The Doll
The Doll (film)
The Doll is a 1919 romantic fantasy comedy film directed by Ernst Lubitsch . The film is loosely based on the same short story which inspired the ballet Coppélia.-Cast:* Ossi Oswalda as Ossi / The Doll* Victor Janson as Hilarius...
. Her popularity at the time earned her the nickname 'The German Mary Pickford
Mary Pickford
Mary Pickford was a Canadian-born motion picture actress, co-founder of the film studio United Artists and one of the original 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
'.http://www.sensesofcinema.com/2002/cteq/dont_want/
In 1921, Oswalda started her own film production company with her husband at the time, baron Gustav von Koczian. However, during the next four years they only produced four films, all starring Oswalda. From 1925 on, she was contracted to Ufa
Universum Film AG
Universum Film AG, better known as UFA or Ufa, is a film company that was the principal film studio in Germany, home of the German film industry during the Weimar Republic and through World War II, and a major force in world cinema from 1917 to 1945...
.
Oswalda's career waned along with the silent film era, and she only acted in two sound films, making her final appearance on screen in the 1933 film The Star of Valencia. Later on, she became a stage actor, and in 1943, wrote the story for the Czechoslovakian film Ctrnáctý u stolu. Oswalda died in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
at the age of 48, completely impoverished.
Silent films
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Sound films
- Der keusche Josef, 1930
- Der Stern von Valencia (The Star of ValenciaThe Star of ValenciaThe Star of Valencia is a 1933 German drama film directed by Alfred Zeisler and starring Liane Haid, Peter Erkelenz and Ossi Oswalda. It was made in Mallorca, at the same time as a French language version L'étoile de Valencia directed by Serge de Poligny.-Cast:* Liane Haid ... Marion Savreda*...
), 1933