Dorrit Weixler (27 March 1892 – 30 November 1916)[1] was a German film actress of the early 20th century who is best recalled for her comedic roles in German films from the World War I era.
Dorrit Weixler | |
|---|---|
 Dorrit Weixler c. 1912 | |
| Born | Dorrit Weixler 27 March 1892 |
| Died | 30 November 1916 (aged 24) Berlin, Germany |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1911–1916 |
Career
editThe elder sister of actress Grete Weixler, Dorrit first appeared in silent film shorts for director Alwin Neuß (1879–1935) in 1911. In 1913 she began a successful collaboration with film director Franz Hofer at Luna Film.[2] Hofer began casting Weixler in a number of comedies presenting her as a comedic, temperamental, independent-minded but endearing teenager, often replete in her soon-to-be signature sailor outfit.[3] She often appeared opposite popular German actor and director Ernst Lubitsch and matinee idol Bruno Kastner in her early films with Hofer.[4] Weixler made approximately eleven films with Hofer, and her role as a brassy teen became popular with German filmgoers.[1]
In 1915 Weixler moved to Oliver Film, but her image was not tampered with significantly. A number of "Dorrit" films were released from 1915 to 1916 which followed her adventures, such as: Dorrit's Chauffeur (1915), Dorrits Eheglück (English: Dorrit's Marital Bliss) (1916) and Dorrit bekommt 'ne Lebensstellung (Dorrit Gets a Job for Life) (1916) for directors such as Paul Otto and Paul Heidemann.
Death
editDuring the end of May 1916, Weixler was at a theater in Nollendorfplatz as part of a "Dorrit Weixler Week"; a promotional campaign for the actress. It was Weixler's first time performing on stage.[1] The audience at the theater was full and Weixler was to entertain the crowd with comedic sketches and dancing. During a dance routine, Weixler collapsed on stage and the show had to be closed. Various speculations were cast by the press for her ailment, including stress or a neurological disorder.[1] The filming of a new movie had to be aborted because of her poor health after her collapse. Later that year Weixler was given morphine, to which she became addicted. She was placed in a sanatorium in Berlin for rest and recovery. On 30 November 1916, aged 24, she committed suicide by hanging herself. She was buried at the Stahnsdorf South-Western Cemetery in December of that year.[1]
In 1921, five years after her death, Dorittchens Vergnügungsreise (Dorritchen's Pleasure Cruise) was re-released to the German public. Filmed in 1916, the film was directed by Paul Heidemann, and Weixler appeared opposite actors Bruno Kastner and Kurt Busch.
Selected filmography
edit- Miss Piccolo (1914)
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Dorrit Weixler Archived 7 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Postkarten-archiv.de (29 August 2014). Retrieved on 2015-10-08.
- ^ Franz Hofer Archived 22 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Filmportal.de. Retrieved on 8 October 2015.
- ^ Hans-Michael Bock, Tim Bergfelder: The Concise Cinegraph: Encyclopaedia of German Cinema, page 224. Berghahn Books, 2009. ISBN 1-57181-655-0
- ^ Dorrit Weixler Archived 9 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Cyranos.ch. Retrieved on 8 October 2015.