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Torben Meyer

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Torben Meyer
Meyer in 1950
Born
Torben Emil Meyer

(1884-12-01)1 December 1884
Aarhus, Denmark
Died22 May 1975(1975-05-22) (aged 90)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
Resting placeChapel of the Pines Crematory
OccupationActor
Years active1912–1966

Torben Emil Meyer (1 December 1884 – 22 May 1975) was a Danish-American character actor who appeared in more than 190 films in a 55-year career. He began his acting career in Europe before moving to the United States.

Early life

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Meyer was born in Aarhus, Denmark and began his career as a stage actor.[1]

Starting in 1912 Meyer acted in 20 European silent movies, culminating with Don Quixote in 1926. He emigrated to the United States in 1927.[2]

Hollywood acting career

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Danish friends Benjamin Christensen and Jean Hersholt may have helped Meyer obtain his first roles in Hollywood films.[1] For decades Meyer found roles playing characters from many countries. A 1948 newspaper article stated Meyer can't complain about being typecast for he speaks German in Sealed Verdict, was a 17th-century Dutch sea captain in The Exile, a French professor in To the Victor, and the headwaiter in Variety Girl.[3]

Horror films

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Meyer became a member of the "all-star peasant cast" in The Black Room,[4] and considered Boris Karloff to be a good friend.[5] He played the Dane in Murders in the Rue Morgue, and was strangled by Boris Karloff in Bride of Frankenstein. Meyer was Gaston, the night watchman, in the 1958 film The Fly[2]

L. to R. : Jimmy Conlin, Harold Lloyd, Torben Meyer, and Arline Judge in The Sin of Harold Diddlebock (1947)

Preston Sturges films

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Meyer was in numerous Preston Sturges films, and addressed him as Maitre (French for director).[6] Meyers played Mr. Schmidt in Christmas in July, Purser in The Lady Eve, Doctor in both Sullivan's Travels and The Miracle of Morgan's Creek, Mr. Schultz in Hail the Conquering Hero, Dr. Dahlmeyer in The Great Moment, Barber in The Sin of Harold Diddlebock, and Dr. Schultz in The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend.[7]

Later roles

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In 1961, when Meyer was 76 years old, he played Werner Lampe, an ex-Nazi judge on trial in Judgment at Nuremberg.[8] His last film role was in A New Kind of Love, released in 1963, and his last television role was as Pedro Sven in the 1966 I Dream of Jeannie episode Jeannie Breaks the Bank.[2]

Honored by King of Denmark

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In 1962 Frederik IX of Denmark honored Meyer with the Knights’ Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog. It was presented to him by the consul general of Denmark, Honorable A.C. Karsten.[9]

Death

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On 22 May 1975 Meyer died of bronchial pneumonia in Hollywood, California. He was cremated, and his remains are vaulted in the Chapel of the Pines.[10]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1912 Manegens stjerne Dumme Peter
1913 Staalkongens Villie
1913 Kæmpedamens bortførelse
1913 Ballettens Datter Delange - Theatre Manager
1913 Atlantis Willy Snyders - artist
1913 Kärleken rår Kuno
1913 Fra fyrste til knejpevært
1914 Under Skæbnens Hjul
1914 Af elskovs naade Laege
1914 Helvedesmaskinen Lerche
1914 Den kulørte slavehandler
1915 Appetit og kærlighed Jens
1915 Held i Uheld Fritz Tummel
1915 Et huskors Lensgreve Rosenørn
1915 Revolutionsbryllup
1915 Cigaretpigen Pedro Delmart - Painter
1915 Cowboymillionæren
1915 Penge
1916 En uheldig skygge
1916 Voksdamen
1916 En nydelig onkel
1916 Lotteriseddel No. 22162 Charles - Apache
1916 Manden uden fremtid Tobby Spratt
1916 Filmens Datter
1916 Sønnen Mr. Grøn
1916 Truet lykke Simoni
1917 Manden uden Smil Pianist
1918 Hævneren Niels
1918 Prøvens Dag Mr. von Scholten
1919 Hans store Chance Arthur
1919 Bajadser Rodolfo
1919 Hvorledes jeg kom til Filmen Gordon Sidney
1919 Dømmer ikke Philip Saphir
1919 Prinsens Kærlighed
1919 En ung mans väg Agapetus von Dufva
1920 Lykkeper Walter Crone
1921 Hendes fortid Moses Volkenthal
1921 Film, flirt og forlovelse The Baron
1922 Der var engang Ceremonimesteren
1923 Madsalune
1923 Republikaneren Editor
1923 Den sidste dans Herr von Schneppen
1924 Min ven privatdetektiven
1924 Little Dorrit Hauptschließer Chivery
1925 Fra Piazza del Popolo Benedetto - Servant
1926 Maharadjahens yndlingshustru III Mohun Singh
1926 The Clown Butler
1926 Don Quixote Sancho Carrasco
1928 The Man Who Laughs The Spy Uncredited
1928 Jazz Mad Kline
1928 Noah's Ark Man on Train Uncredited
1928 The Viking Odd
1928 The Last Warning Gene
1929 Behind Closed Doors Captain von Gilden
1930 Behind the Make-Up Waiter
1930 Lummox Silly Willie
1930 Mamba German Soldier Uncredited
1930 The Bad One Uncredited
1930 Just Like Heaven Pierre
1930 The Lottery Bride Miner Uncredited
1930 A Soldier's Plaything German Actor in Horse Uncredited
1931 Trådlöst och kärleksfullt
1931 Just a Gigolo Waiter Uncredited
1931 Half Way to Heaven Director
1932 Broken Lullaby Waiter at Inn Uncredited
1932 Murders in the Rue Morgue The Dane Uncredited
1932 What Price Hollywood? Nick - Brown Derby Headwaiter Uncredited
1932 Downstairs Cafe Waiter Uncredited
1932 Big City Blues Second Waiter Uncredited
1932 Six Hours to Live Sturges - Butler Uncredited
1932 Le bluffeur Col. Ginsberg
1932 The Animal Kingdom Meyer - Idealistic Printer Uncredited
1932 The Match King Hans, Headwaiter Uncredited
1933 The Crime of the Century Eric Ericson - Butler
1933 Reunion in Vienna Headwaiter Strumpf Uncredited
1933 Ladies Must Love Beermaster Uncredited
1933 Cradle Song Papa Uncredited
1933 The Worst Woman in Paris? Taxi Driver Uncredited
1934 Mandalay Mr. Van Brinken Uncredited
1934 All Men Are Enemies Clerk Uncredited
1934 Little Man, What Now? Headwaiter Uncredited
1934 The World Moves On Head Butler Uncredited
1934 Pursued Hansen Uncredited
1934 By Your Leave Costume Company Fitter Uncredited
1934 Music in the Air Pharmacist Uncredited
1935 Enter Madame Carlson
1935 The Night Is Young Adjutant Uncredited
1935 The Good Fairy Head Waiter Uncredited
1935 Roberta Albert
1935 Bride of Frankenstein Victim in Flashback Uncredited
1935 Mark of the Vampire Card Player Uncredited
1935 Break of Hearts The Ritz Headwaiter Uncredited
1935 The Girl Who Came Back Zarabella
1935 Front Page Woman Janitor Uncredited
1935 The Black Room Peter
1935 Two for Tonight Waiter Uncredited
1935 The Gay Deception Waiter Uncredited
1935 Thunder in the Night Cafe Owner Uncredited
1935 Charlie Chan in Shanghai French Diplomat Uncredited
1935 The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo Minor Role Uncredited
1935 Splendor Baron Von Hoffstatter
1935 To Beat the Band Headwaiter Uncredited
1935 East of Java Derelict Uncredited
1935 A Tale of Two Cities Lackey #1 Uncredited
1935 If You Could Only Cook Swedish Servant Uncredited
1936 King of Burlesque Leopold the Valet Uncredited
1936 It Had to Happen Sign Painter Uncredited
1936 The Preview Murder Mystery Smith's Butler Uncredited
1936 The Farmer in the Dell Party Guest Uncredited
1936 Till We Meet Again Kraus
1936 Champagne Charlie Minor Role Uncredited
1936 Piccadilly Jim Pett's Butler Uncredited
1936 Star for a Night Saddle Maker Uncredited
1936 In His Steps Uncredited
1936 Wedding Present Winternitz Uncredited
1936 The Accusing Finger Proprietor Uncredited
1936 Espionage Police Inspector Uncredited
1936 The King and the Chorus Girl Eric - the Butler Uncredited
1937 Thin Ice Chauffeur
1937 The Good Old Soak Headwaiter Uncredited
1937 Shall We Dance Show Producer Uncredited
1937 The Emperor's Candlesticks Train Announcer Uncredited
1937 She's No Lady Swedish Waiter Uncredited
1937 The Prisoner of Zenda Max - Butler
1937 Wife, Doctor and Nurse Second Tailor Uncredited
1937 Madame X Peridcord Uncredited
1937 Fight for Your Lady Hungarian Police Officer Uncredited
1937 Prescription for Romance Hotel Desk Clerk Uncredited
1937 Tovarich Servant Uncredited
1938 The First Hundred Years Karl
1938 Bulldog Drummond's Peril Hoffman Uncredited
1938 Romance in the Dark Prof. Jacobsen
1938 Romance in the Dark Art Critic Uncredited
1938 The Saint in New York German Police Prefect Uncredited
1938 I'll Give a Million Doorman Uncredited
1938 The Great Waltz Ticket Taker at Dommayer's Uncredited
1938 Topper Takes a Trip Hotel Doorman Uncredited
1939 Island of Lost Men Cafe Manager Uncredited
1939 Nurse Edith Cavell German Officer Uncredited
1939 Everything Happens at Night Station Master Uncredited
1940 Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet Kadereit Uncredited
1940 The Way of All Flesh Sandor Nemzeti
1940 Four Sons Gustav
1940 The Great Dictator Bald Barbershop Customer Uncredited
1940 Christmas in July Mr. Schmidt
1940 No, No, Nanette Furtlemertle Uncredited
1941 The Lady Eve Mr. Clink - Purser Uncredited
1941 Sunny Jean (head waiter)
1941 Sullivan's Travels The Doctor
1941 Bedtime Story Dinglehoff Uncredited
1942 The Adventures of Martin Eden Jacob Uncredited
1942 Crossroads Old Man Uncredited
1942 Berlin Correspondent Manager
1942 The Palm Beach Story Dr. Kluck
1942 Casablanca Dutch Banker at Cafe Table Uncredited
1943 Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man Gypsy Uncredited
1943 Edge of Darkness Cannery Clerk Uncredited
1943 They Came to Blow Up America Graumark Hotel Desk Clerk Uncredited
1943 Jack London Literary Guest Uncredited
1943 The Miracle of Morgan's Creek Dr. Meyer Uncredited
1944 The Purple Heart Karl Kappel Uncredited
1944 Once Upon a Time Hotel Manager Uncredited
1944 The Great Moment Dr. Dahlmeyer
1944 Hail the Conquering Hero Mr. Schultz Uncredited
1944 Greenwich Village Kavosky's Butler Uncredited
1945 Hotel Berlin Franz, the Barber Uncredited
1945 A Royal Scandal Stooge Uncredited
1945 Yolanda and the Thief Town Official Uncredited
1946 The Kid from Brooklyn Garden Party Guest Uncredited
1946 Heartbeat Thief at Ball Uncredited
1946 Monsieur Beaucaire Count Uncredited
1946 Alias Mr. Twilight Starling
1947 The Mighty McGurk Second Brewer
1947 The Sin of Harold Diddlebock Barber with Mustache
1947 The Beginning or the End Milkman Uncredited
1947 Millie's Daughter Mr. Johnson Uncredited
1947 Variety Girl Andre - Brown Derby Headwaiter
1947 Song of Love Stage Manager Uncredited
1947 The Exile Sea Captain
1948 To the Victor Elderly Frenchman Uncredited
1948 Letter from an Unknown Woman Carriage Driver Uncredited
1948 Julia Misbehaves Commissar Uncredited
1948 Sealed Verdict Courtroom interpreter
1948 Unfaithfully Yours Dr. Schultz
1949 The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend Dr. Shultz
1949 Hold That Baby! Dr. Hans Heinrich
1949 The Great Lover Ship's Captain Uncredited
1949 And Baby Makes Three Waiter Uncredited
1950 The Great Rupert Mr. Petrushka - the Baker Uncredited
1951 Grounds for Marriage Donovan
1951 The Company She Keeps Maitre'd in French Restaurant Uncredited
1951 That's My Boy Photographer Uncredited
1951 Night into Morning Butcher Uncredited
1951 Come Fill the Cup Delmar - Ives' Auto Mechanic Uncredited
1951 The Blue Veil Photographer Uncredited
1951 My Favorite Spy Headwaiter Uncredited
1952 What Price Glory Mayor Uncredited
1952 The Merry Widow Station Master Uncredited
1953 Call Me Madam Rudolph Uncredited
1953 The Story of Three Loves Man in Saloon (segment "Equilibrium"), Uncredited
1953 Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation Doorman at Hotel Louis Uncredited
1953 Houdini Headwaiter Uncredited
1954 Casanova's Big Night Attendant Uncredited
1954 About Mrs. Leslie Maitre D' Uncredited
1954 Living It Up Chef Uncredited
1954 Deep in My Heart Card Player Uncredited
1955 We're No Angels Butterfly Man Uncredited
1956 The Conqueror Scribe Uncredited
1956 Anything Goes French Waiter Uncredited
1956 Hollywood or Bust Waiter Last Martin & Lewis comedy; waiter, Uncredited
1957 Public Pigeon No. 1 Waiter Uncredited
1957 The Helen Morgan Story Manager Uncredited
1958 The Fly Gaston Uncredited
1958 The Matchmaker Alex, Headwaiter, Harmonica Club
1959 This Earth Is Mine Hugo Uncredited
1959 Li'l Abner Butler Uncredited
1960 G.I. Blues Headwaiter Uncredited
1961 Judgment at Nuremberg Werner Lampe
1963 A New Kind of Love Hotel Clerk Uncredited

References

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  1. ^ a b Mette Hjort, Ursula Lindqvist, A Companion to Nordic Cinema, page 408, Wiley, 2016
  2. ^ a b c Diane Kachar, David Goudsward, The Fly at 50: The Creation and Legacy of a Classic Science Fiction Film (Kindle), BearManor Media, 2015
  3. ^ Linguistic Expert, The Austin American (Austin, Texas), January 9, 1948, page 18
  4. ^ Gregory William Mank, Hollywood Cauldron: Thirteen Horror Films from the Genre's Golden Age, page 168, McFarland, Inc., 2010
  5. ^ Scott Allen Nollen, Boris Karloff: A Gentleman's Life, Midnight Marquee, 2009
  6. ^ Diane Jacobs, Christmas in July: The Life and Art of Preston Sturges, page 253, University of California Press, 1992
  7. ^ Alessandro Paroling, The Cinema of Preston Sturges: A Critical Study, pages 176-181, McFarland, Inc., 2014
  8. ^ Nuremberg: Close-up of the Nazi Trials, The Los Angeles Times, November 5, 1961, page 499
  9. ^ Actor Receives Knights Cross, Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, May 18, 1962, page 9
  10. ^ Allan R. Ellenberger, Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory, page 27, McFarland Publishing, 2001
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