Olaf Fønss

Olaf Fønss

Olaf Fønss
Born Olaf Holger Axel Fønss
17 October 1882
Århus, Denmark
Died 11 March 1949 (aged 66)
Copenhagen, Denmark
Occupation Actor, Director, Producer
Film Censor
Union Leader
Years active 19031947
Spouse(s) Thilda Elisabeth Lilja Johnsen
Else Dorthea Bast

Olaf Fønss (17 October 188211 March 1949) was a Danish actor, director, producer, film censor and one of Denmark and Germany's biggest stars of the silent film era.[1]

Career

Fønss' leading role in the 1913 Danish classic Atlantis made his face recognizable to movie fans. It was his role as the mad-scientist in the 1916 German science fiction film series, Homunculus, that earned Fønss status as a top matinee idol.[2] In the 1930s, Fønss became politically active by directing two films for Denmark's Socialdemokratiske Parti (Social Democracy Party), Den Store Dag (1930) and Under Den Gamle Fane (1932).[3] He was president of the Danish Actor's Union from 19331947 and was a censor for the National Film Censor of Denmark for 14 years.[1] Fønss was the older brother of actors Johannes and Aage Fønss.

Filmography

As Actor

  • Vask, videnskab og velvære (1932)
  • Die Seltsame Vergangenheit der Thea Carter (1929) ... aka The Unusual Past of Thea Carter (International: English title)
  • Ich lebe für Dich (1929) ... aka Triumph of Love (USA)
  • Die Waise von Lowood (1926) ... aka Orphan of Lowood (International: English title)
  • Spitzen (1926)
  • Vajsenhusbarn (1926)
  • Fra Piazza del Popolo (1925)... aka 'Mists of the Past (UK)
  • Das Unbekannte Morgen (1923) ... aka The Unknown Tomorrow
  • Das Indische Grabmal: Die Sendung des Yoghi (1921) ... aka The Indian Tomb: Part I, the Mission of the Yogi (USA: video title)
  • A Debt of Honour (1921)
  • Der Gang in die Nacht (1921) ... aka The Dark Road (USA)
  • Elskovs Magt (1921)
  • Hendes Fortid (1921)
  • Das Indische Grabmal: Der Tiger von Eschnapur (1921) ... aka The Indian Tomb: Part II, the Tiger of Bengal (USA: video title)
  • Munkens Fristelser (1921)
  • Bajadser (1919)
  • Præsten fra Havet (1918)
  • Dommens dag (1918)
  • Hævneren (1918)
  • Lægen (1918)
  • Fangen fra Erie County (1918)
  • Gengældelsens Ret (1917)
  • Selskabsdamen (1916)
  • Verdens Undergang (1916) ... aka The End of the World (USA)
  • Gentlemansekretæren (1916)
  • Syndens datter (1916)
  • Hendes ungdomsforelskelse (1916)
  • Homunculus -- film series 1 through six (1916)
  • Cowboymillionæren (1915)
  • Lille Teddy (1915)
  • Den Hvide Rytterske (1915)
  • Ned Med Vaabnene (1914) ... aka Down with Weapons (USA)
  • Af Elskovs Naade (1914)
  • En Stærkere Magt (1914)
  • Atlantis (1913)
  • Under Mindernes Træ (1913)
  • Zigeurnerorkestret (1912)
  • Bryggerens Datter (1912) ... aka The Brewer's Daughter (literal English title)
  • Dødsridtet (1912)

As Director

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Olaf Fønss". Den Danske Filmdatabase (The Danish Film Database). Retrieved 2008-05-22.
  2. Kreimeier, Klaus; Kimber, Robert; Kimber, Rita (1999). The Ufa Story: A History of Germany's Greatest Film Company, 1918-1945. University of California Press. p. 51. ISBN 0-520-22069-2.
  3. "Olaf Fønss 1882-1949". Fakta om Film. Det Danske Filminstitut. Retrieved 21 January 2013.

External links