Danish actor (1884–1975)
Torben Meyer
Meyer in 1950
Born Torben Emil Meyer
(1884-12-01 ) 1 December 1884Died 22 May 1975(1975-05-22) (aged 90) Resting place Chapel of the Pines Crematory Occupation Actor Years active 1912–1966
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
^ a b Mette Hjort, Ursula Lindqvist, A Companion to Nordic Cinema , page 408, Wiley, 2016
^ 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
^ Linguistic Expert, The Austin American (Austin, Texas), January 9, 1948, page 18
^ Gregory William Mank, Hollywood Cauldron: Thirteen Horror Films from the Genre's Golden Age, page 168, McFarland, Inc., 2010
^ Scott Allen Nollen, Boris Karloff: A Gentleman's Life , Midnight Marquee, 2009
^ Diane Jacobs, Christmas in July: The Life and Art of Preston Sturges , page 253, University of California Press, 1992
^ Alessandro Paroling, The Cinema of Preston Sturges: A Critical Study , pages 176-181, McFarland, Inc., 2014
^ Nuremberg: Close-up of the Nazi Trials, The Los Angeles Times , November 5, 1961, page 499
^ Actor Receives Knights Cross, Los Angeles Evening Citizen News , May 18, 1962, page 9
^ Allan R. Ellenberger, Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory , page 27, McFarland Publishing, 2001
External links