Fritz Greiner

Fritz Greiner is an Austrian actor known for his prolific career as a supporting player in German silent and early sound films during the 1920s and early 1930s. ^{[1] [2]} Born on January 1, 1879, in Vienna, Austria-Hungary (now Austria), Greiner appeared in well over 100 productions, often in character roles, and also directed two films in the 1920s. ^[1] He began his screen work in the mid-1910s and remained active until shortly before his death in November 1933 in Munich, Germany. ^{[1] [2]} Greiner's filmography includes notable titles such as Nathan der Weise (1922), Der Ochsenkrieg (1920), Manon Lescaut (1925–1926), Luther (1927–1928), Ungarische Rhapsodie (1928), and SA-Mann Brand (1933). ^[1] His contributions spanned the transition from silent cinema to sound, with several of his final appearances released posthumously. ^[1]

Early life

Birth and family background

Fritz Greiner was born on January 1, 1879, in Vienna, Austria-Hungary. ^[1] He was Austrian by nationality with Viennese roots. ^[1]

Stage career

Beginnings in folk theaters

Fritz Greiner began his professional acting career at various volkstümlichen Bühnen (popular folk stages).^[3] His final stage work before transitioning to film occurred at the Schlierseer Bauerntheater.^[3] He transitioned to film at the end of the 1910s.^[3]

Film career

Entry into silent films and early roles

Fritz Greiner transitioned from his stage work in folk theaters to silent films toward the end of the 1910s.^[3] His screen debut came with the role of detective Nick Carter in the crime film Der Klub der Einäugigen (1917), directed by Josef Coenen.^[3] Early appearances also included Der Einäugige (1916). In 1918, he relocated to Munich and signed with the Münchner Lichtspielkunst AG (Emelka group) and other local production companies.^[3] His initial roles focused on popular genres of the era, including detective films, Isarwesterns, and Heimatfilme.^[3] That same year, he took the title role as cowboy Schwarzer Jack in Der schwarze Jack (1918), a production by Sport-Film directed by Fred Stranz.^[3] He quickly became involved in several adaptations of Ludwig Ganghofer's novels between 1918 and 1920, appearing as Wilderer Blasi in Der Jäger von Fall (1918), as Finkenbauer Jörg in Der Edelweißkönig (1919), as Schmied Domimi in Gewitter im Mai (1920), as Sudmann Wolfrat Polzer in Der Klosterjäger (1920), and as Bauer Runotter in Der Ochsenkrieg (1920).^[3] His prolific output continued into the 1920s.^[3]

Prominence in silent era

During the 1920s, Fritz Greiner became a prolific supporting actor in German silent cinema, frequently cast in historical dramas, literary adaptations, and other genres, while also taking on occasional leading roles that showcased his versatility in portraying strong, heroic, or authoritative figures. ^{[4] [2]} He appeared as Sultan Saladin in Manfred Noa's 1922 adaptation of Nathan der Weise, bringing presence to the central Muslim ruler in Lessing's Enlightenment drama. ^[2] In 1925, Greiner portrayed Albrecht von Wallenstein in Rolf Randolf's two-part historical epic Wallenstein (Wallensteins Macht and Wallensteins Tod), embodying the ambitious and tragic military leader. ^[2] That same year, he played Hans von Selbitz in the film adaptation of Goethe's Götz von Berlichingen, contributing to another major literary-historical production. ^[4] Greiner's most prominent achievement in the silent era came with his title role as the Tyrolean patriot Andreas Hofer in Hans Prechtl's 1929 historical film Andreas Hofer, depicting the innkeeper's leadership in the 1809 uprising against Bavarian and French forces. ^[5] This leading performance in a patriotic drama marked a high point in his acting career. ^[5] His work during this decade encompassed a range of genres beyond historical epics, reflecting his status as a reliable character actor in Weimar-era silent film production. ^[4] He also directed two films during the silent period. ^[4]

Directing credits

Fritz Greiner directed two silent films during the 1920s while continuing his primary work as an actor. ^[6] His directing output remained limited in scope, with no additional credits beyond these two works. ^[3] In 1924, Greiner directed the social drama …die sich verkaufen, produced by Maak-Film in Berlin. ^[7] The film featured performers including Lia Eibenschütz and Carl de Vogt. ^[3] Three years later, he helmed Mordendes Geld (1927), a production by Joe Stoeckel-Marcco-Film that starred Joe Stöckel. ^[8] These projects represent Greiner's complete known work as a director in the silent era. ^[6]

Sound film roles

Fritz Greiner transitioned to sound films in 1930, adapting to the new technology that transformed German cinema after the silent era. ^[2] He appeared in over 20 sound films between 1930 and 1933, typically in supporting and character roles that drew on his established presence as a reliable ensemble player. ^[2] These parts often cast him as everyday or folkloric figures such as bakers, innkeepers, and coachmen, contrasting with the leading heroic and dramatic roles he had commanded during the silent period. ^[2] Despite the shift to smaller roles, Greiner maintained a prolific work schedule in the early talkie years, contributing to a range of German-language productions that included musicals, comedies, and dramas. ^[2] Notable among his sound film credits are Liebling der Götter (1930), Der schwarze Husar (1932), S.A. Mann Brand (1933), and Kaiserwalzer (1933). ^[2] His regular appearances reflected his continued viability as a character actor amid the industry's rapid changes. ^[2] Greiner's film work continued steadily until 1933. ^[2]

Personal life

Family connections

Fritz Greiner was the paternal grandfather of the German film director Helmut Dietl. ^[3] Beyond this family connection, little is documented about Greiner's private life. Details regarding his marriage and the names of his children remain unavailable in public sources. Greiner died in November 1933.

Death

Suicide during production

Fritz Greiner took his own life by ingesting poison on November 16, 1933, at the age of 54 in Munich.^[3] The suicide occurred during ongoing filming at the Geiselgasteig Studios, interrupting his work mid-production.^[3] Contemporary newspaper reports, including a short obituary in the Allgemeiner Tiroler Anzeiger, confirmed the circumstances of his death shortly afterward.^[3] The motives behind the act remain unknown.^[3] This event was also documented in other period Austrian and German press accounts, such as notices in the Tiroler Anzeiger on November 17, 1933, and subsequent reports in Die Stunde and Sport-Tagblatt on November 18, 1933.^[9][10]

Selected filmography

Key silent films

Fritz Greiner established himself as a versatile character actor in the German silent cinema during the 1920s, appearing in several high-profile productions often drawn from historical, literary, or regional themes. Among his key silent films are Der Jäger von Fall (1918), an early role in a Bavarian-themed drama, ^[1] followed by Nathan der Weise (1922), where he portrayed Sultan Saladin in Manfred Noa's adaptation of Gotthold Ephraim Lessing's play. ^[2] He took on the demanding title role in the two-part historical epic Wallenstein (1925), playing the famous general Albrecht von Wallenstein in a production directed by Manfred Noa. ^[2] Greiner also featured in Manon Lescaut (1926), a German adaptation of the classic novel by Abbé Prévost, and concluded his major silent era work with the title role in Andreas Hofer (1929), depicting the Tyrolean freedom fighter Andreas Hofer, also known as the Sandwirt von Passeier. ^[2] These films highlight his tendency to be cast in authoritative or heroic figures from German history and literature, contributing to his reputation as a reliable supporting and occasional leading player in Munich-based productions.

Key sound films

Fritz Greiner transitioned into the sound film era in 1930 with a role in Liebling der Götter, marking his entry into talking pictures after a long silent career. ^{[1] [2]} He followed this with an appearance in the musical comedy Der schwarze Husar in 1932, directed by Georg Jacoby. In 1933, Greiner appeared in two additional sound films: the politically themed S.A. Mann Brand and the operetta-style Kaiserwalzer. ^[2] These later roles reflected a shift toward supporting characters rather than leads, consistent with many actors of his generation adapting to the new medium and changing industry dynamics. ^[2] Greiner's sound film work concluded in 1933, aligning with the end of his acting career.

Directed works

Fritz Greiner directed two feature films during the silent era, in addition to his prolific career as an actor.^[1] These represent his only known credits as a director.^[1] His debut as director came with the 1924 Spielfilm …die sich verkaufen, produced by Maak-Film in Berlin.^[7] The film featured cinematography by Franz Koch and a cast including Lia Eibenschütz, Hanna Lierke, and Carl de Vogt.^[7] Greiner did not appear in the cast of this production.^[7] Greiner's second and final directing project was the 1927 Spielfilm Mordendes Geld, produced by Joe Stoeckel-Marcco-Film in Berlin with Joe Stöckel as producer and lead performer.^[8] The screenplay was written by Joseph Dalmann, and Greiner again did not receive an acting credit in the film.^[8] These two works mark the extent of his contributions behind the camera.^[6][1]