Legenden – Hans Albers (ARD)

Writer and Director: Dagmar Wittmers

Producer: Brigitta Schübeler

Production: Ulrike Römhild

Line producer: Anke Meyer

Executive Producer: Hartmut Klenke

Locations: Hamburg, Berlin, München

Broadcast:
Monday, December8th 2009, 09:45PM, ARD

Length: 45'

 

Content:

Hans Albers was already 40 years old when his career really took off. After more than 100 roles in silent movies, the butcher’s son from Hamburg was discovered for talking movies. After the premiere of "Die Nacht gehört uns" (The Night Belongs to Us), Hans Albers the star was born.

Before he was celebrated throughout Germany, however, he paid his dues in provincial theaters. Then he went to Berlin and performed in revues and operettas there. Through one of his lovers’ contacts, he was soon at the center of the Berlin salon scene. His appearance and his elegance made him a favorite with the ladies. Even male celebrities were gladly seen with this charming actor. Max Schmeling and Joachim Ringelnatz ranked among his friends.

After his first large role in a talking film, he became a guarantee for success for the UFA. He put his stamp on films like "Der Draufgänger" (The Go-Getter), "Hans in allen Gassen" (Streetwise Hans) or "Der Sieger" (The Winner). When the Nazis took over power, he was a German superstar. In order not to endanger his further career, he separated from his Jewish girlfriend Hansi Burg. Hans Albers was never in cahoots with the Nazis and their propaganda, but as soon as his career was endangered, he gave in.

After the war, Hansi Burg returned to him. For many people, this was proof of his integrity in the Nazi period.

He was a celebrated star in postwar Germany as well: At the age of 60 he still played the adventurer and ladies’ man. His machismo was seasoned with irony and humor. But his decline had already begun. His public remained faithful to him though. When he died in 1960, thirty thousand fans came to the funeral. Albers was the last real actor of "the little man", a legend even till today.