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Erik Charell

1894 - 1974

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The actor and director Erik Charell began his artistic career in 1913 after studying dance at the Deutsches Theater. Shortly thereafter, he went on a European tour with his Charell Ballet and enjoyed great success.

His popularity led to a role in the film Galante Promenade (18), where he also impressed as an actor. This was followed by the silent films “Prinz Kuckuck” (19) and “Nachgestalten” (20) by director Richard Oswald.

From 1924, he ran the Grosse Schauspielhaus in Berlin together with his brother.
In the same year, his first revue, “An Alle,” was published. Further revues followed with “Für Dich” (25) and “Von Mund zu Mund” (26).

From 1926 onwards, he reworked well-known operettas such as “The Mikado,” “Madame Pompadour,” and “The Merry Widow,” then joined forces with composer Ralph Benatzky to create his own operettas. These included “Casanova” (28), “Die drei Musketiere” (29) and “Im weissen Rössl” (30).

Another of Erik Charell's achievements was that, as a director, he gave unknown actors their first opportunity to perform, some of whom later became big stars such as Joseph Schmidt, Marlene Dietrich, Max Hansen and the legendary “Comedian Harmonists.”

In 1931, Erik Charell was given the opportunity to direct a film. With “Der Kongress tanzt” (The Congress Dances), he created an extremely successful classic of German cinema. It was his second film as a director after “Casanova” (28).

The rise of the National Socialists brought his great career to an end. His contract with Ufa was terminated, he was sued for repayment and fell into financial difficulties. Since Erik Charell had already emigrated to the USA in 1935 and was also considered an American citizen, he was eventually expropriated when the USA entered the war and his property in Germany was transferred to the state.

In America, he enjoyed great success on stage from 1936 to 1945, particularly with his productions of “Im weissen Rössl” (The White Horse Inn). His film “Caravan” (34) flopped in the USA and prevented him from gaining a foothold in American cinema.

It was not until after the end of the war that Erik Charell returned to Germany, where he was able to continue his career at the Munich State Theater am Gärtnerplatz.

He now appeared as a producer in a few films, including “Casbah” (1948), “Im weissen Rössl” (1952) and “Feuerwerk” (1954).

He died on July 15, 1974, at the age of 80 in Munich.

 
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