Gus Meins (March 6, 1893 – August 1, 1940), born Gustave Peter Ludwig Luley, was an American

film director A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, p ...

. He was born in

Frankfurt Frankfurt, officially Frankfurt am Main (; Hessian: , "Frank ford on the Main"), is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. Its 791,000 inhabitants as of 2022 make it the fifth-most populous city in Germany. Located on its na ...

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

Career

Meins started out in the 'teens as a cartoonist for the Los Angeles Evening Herald before becoming a comedy writer for Fox in 1919. In the 1920s, Meins directed a number of silent

short subject A short film is any motion picture that is short enough in running time not to be considered a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes ...

film A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...

series for

Universal Pictures Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Ameri ...

, including the ''

Buster Brown Buster Brown is a comic-strip character created in 1902 by Richard F. Outcault. Adopted as the mascot of the Brown Shoe Company in 1904, Buster Brown, along with Mary Jane, and with his dog Tige, became well known to the United States of America ...

'' comedies. He is best known as senior director of

Hal Roach Harry Eugene "Hal" Roach Sr.Randy Skretvedt, Skretvedt, Randy (2016), ''Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies'', Bonaventure Press. p.608. (January 14, 1892 – November 2, 1992) was an American film and television producer, director, a ...

's ''

Our Gang ''Our Gang'' (also known as ''The Little Rascals'' or ''Hal Roach's Rascals'') is an American series of comedy short films chronicling a group of poor neighborhood children and their adventures. Created by film producer Hal Roach, also the ...

'' comedies from 1934 to 1936, and also as director of

Laurel and Hardy Laurel and Hardy were a British-American Double act, comedy duo act during the early Classical Hollywood cinema, Classical Hollywood era of American cinema, consisting of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–19 ...

's '' Babes in Toyland'' (1934). His assistant director was a young Gordon Douglas, who became senior director in 1936 when Meins left ''Our Gang'' for other directing jobs at Roach. Meins left Roach in 1937 over creative differences.

Death

In the summer of 1940, Meins faced prosecution of "morals charges", having been accused of sex offenses against six youths. The director swore his innocence but stated that the case would ruin his career, regardless of the outcome. He left home on the night of Thursday, August 1 telling his son, Douglas: "You probably won't see me again." Meins was found dead in his car on August 4, reportedly having committed suicide by inhaling

carbon monoxide Carbon monoxide (chemical formula CO) is a colorless, poisonous, odorless, tasteless, flammable gas that is slightly less dense than air. Carbon monoxide consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom connected by a triple bond. It is the simple ...

days earlier. He was interred at

Grand View Memorial Park Cemetery Grand View Memorial Park and Crematory is a historic cemetery located in Glendale, California, in the United States. Established in 1884 as Glendale Cemetery, it changed its name to Grand View Memorial Park in 1919. The cemetery was the focus of ...

Glendale, California Glendale is a city in the San Fernando Valley and Verdugo Mountains regions of Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County, California, United States. At the 2020 United States Census, 2020 U.S. Census the population was 196,543, up from ...

. He was generally remembered as 'a cheerful, convivial gentleman'. His son Douglas Meins (1918–1987) appeared in at least seven Republic and Warner films in the late 1930s and early 1940s; he then served in the U.S. Army Corps during World War II.

Selected filmography

Feature films: * '' Babes in Toyland'' (1934), starring

* ''

His Exciting Night ''His Exciting Night'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by Gus Meins and written by Pat C. Flick, Edward Eliscu and Morton Grant. It is based on the 1934 play ''Adam's Evening'' by Katharine Kavanaugh. The film stars Charlie Ruggles, Ric ...

'' (1939) * ''

The Covered Trailer ''The Covered Trailer'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Gus Meins and written by Jack Townley. The film stars James Gleason, Lucile Gleason, Russell Gleason, Harry Davenport, Mary Beth Hughes and Tommy Ryan. The film was released on N ...

'' (1939) ''

ZaSu Pitts Zasu Pitts (; January 3, 1894 – June 7, 1963) was an American actress who starred in many silent dramas, including Erich von Stroheim's epic 1924 silent film ''Greed'', and comedies, transitioning successfully to mostly comedy films with the ...

Thelma Todd Thelma Alice Todd (July 29, 1906 – December 16, 1935) was an American actress and businesswoman who carried the nicknames "The Ice Cream Blonde" and "Hot Toddy". Appearing in about 120 feature films and shorts between 1926 and 1935, she ...

'' shorts: *''Sneak Easily'' (1933) *''Asleep in the Feet'' (1933) *''Maids à la Mode '' (1933) *''One Track Minds'' (1933) ''

Patsy Kelly Patsy Kelly (born Sarah Veronica Rose Kelly; January 12, 1910 – September 24, 1981) was an American actress. She is known for her role as the brash, wisecracking sidekick to Thelma Todd in a series of short comedy films produced by Hal Ro ...

'' shorts: * '' Beauty and the Bus'' (1933) * '' Backs to Nature'' (1933) * ''

Air Fright Gus Meins (March 6, 1893 – August 1, 1940), born Gustave Peter Ludwig Luley, was an American film director. He was born in Frankfurt, Germany. Career Meins started out in the 'teens as a cartoonist for the Los Angeles Evening Herald before ...

'' (1933) * ''

Babes in the Goods Babes may refer to: __NOTOC__ Arts and entertainment * Babes (band), an American indie pop band * "Babes", a song from the album '' The Inner Me'' by Lala Hsu * ''Babes'' (TV series), an American sitcom (1990–1991) * Babes (website), a pornograp ...

'' (1934) * ''

Soup and Fish ''Soup and Fish'' is a 1934 American pre-Code comedy short released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, produced by Hal Roach and directed by Gus Meins, and starring Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly. It is the 5th entry in the series. Cast *Thelma Todd as Thel ...

'' (1934) * ''

Maid in Hollywood Gus Meins (March 6, 1893 – August 1, 1940), born Gustave Peter Ludwig Luley, was an American film director. He was born in Frankfurt, Germany. Career Meins started out in the 'teens as a cartoonist for the Los Angeles Evening Herald before ...

'' (1934) * ''

I'll Be Suing You Gus Meins (March 6, 1893 – August 1, 1940), born Gustave Peter Ludwig Luley, was an American film director. He was born in Frankfurt, Germany. Career Meins started out in the 'teens as a cartoonist for the Los Angeles Evening Herald before ...

'' (1934) * '' Three Chumps Ahead'' (1934) * '' One-Horse Farmers'' (1934) * ''

Done In Oil Gus Meins (March 6, 1893 – August 1, 1940), born Gustave Peter Ludwig Luley, was an American film director. He was born in Frankfurt, Germany. Career Meins started out in the 'teens as a cartoonist for the Los Angeles Evening Herald befor ...

'' (1934) * '' An All-American Toothache'' (1936) * '' Hill-Tillies'' (1936) ''

'' shorts: * ''

Second Childhood ''Second Childhood'' is the second album by the singer and songwriter Phoebe Snow, released in 1976. ''Second Childhood'' was certified gold by the RIAA on July 9, 1976. Reception In a retrospective review for AllMusic, critic William Ruhlmann ...

'' (

1936 Events January–February * January 20 – George V of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India, dies at his Sandringham Estate. The Prince of Wales succeeds to the throne of the United Kingdom as King E ...

) * ''

The Lucky Corner ''The Lucky Corner'' is a 1936 ''Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Gus Meins. It was the 143rd ''Our Gang'' short to be released. Plot Scotty and his grandfather Gus are the proprietors of a sidewalk lemonade stand. The small operation str ...

'' (1936) * ''

Our Gang Follies of 1936 ''Our Gang Follies of 1936'' is a 1935 ''Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Gus Meins. Produced by Hal Roach and released to theaters by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, it was the 140th ''Our Gang'' short to be released and the first of several musi ...

'' (

1935 Events January * January 7 – Italian premier Benito Mussolini and French Foreign Minister Pierre Laval conclude Franco-Italian Agreement of 1935, an agreement, in which each power agrees not to oppose the other's colonial claims. * ...

) * ''

Little Sinner ''Little Sinner'' is a 1935 ''Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Gus Meins. It was the 139th ''Our Gang'' short to be released, and the first appearance of two-year old Porky. Plot Anxious to go fishing, Spanky skips out of Sunday school, d ...

'' (1935) * '' Little Papa'' (1935) * ''

Sprucin' Up ''Sprucin' Up'' is a 1935 '' Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Gus Meins. It was the 137th ''Our Gang'' short that was released. Plot Hoping to get on the good side of the new truant officer (Dick Elliott), the gang goes out of their way ...

'' (1935) * ''

Teacher's Beau ''Teacher's Beau'' is a 1935 '' Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Gus Meins. It was the 136th ''Our Gang'' short (48th talking episode) that was released. Plot On the last day of school, the gang learns that their beloved teacher Miss Jon ...

'' (1935) * ''

Beginner's Luck Beginner's luck refers to the supposed phenomenon of novices experiencing disproportionate frequency of success or succeeding against an expert in a given activity. One would expect experts to outperform novices - when the opposite happens it is co ...

'' (1935) * '' Anniversary Trouble'' (1935) * ''

Shrimps for a Day ''Shrimps for a Day'' is a 1934 '' Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Gus Meins. It was the 133rd ''Our Gang'' short (45th talking episode) that was released. Plot The gang resides at the Happy Home Orphanage, an inaptly named organization ...

'' (

1934 Events January–February * January 1 – The International Telecommunication Union, a specialist agency of the League of Nations, is established. * January 15 – The 8.0 1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake, Nepal–Bihar earthquake strik ...

) * '' Mama's Little Pirate'' (1934) * '' Mike Fright'' (1934) * ''

Honky Donkey ''Honky Donkey'' is a 1934 '' Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Gus Meins. It was the 129th (41st talking episode) ''Our Gang'' short. It was partially filmed at the Culver Hotel. Plot A pampered rich boy named Wally is shown gettin spoi ...

'' (1934) * '' The First Round-Up'' (1934) * ''

For Pete's Sake! ''For Pete's Sake!'' is a 1934 ''Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Gus Meins. It was the 127th (39th talking episode) ''Our Gang'' short that was released. Plot After Wally fills little Marianne's favorite doll with sawdust and gives it ...

'' (1934) * ''

Hi'-Neighbor! ''Hi'-Neighbor!'' is a 1934 ''Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Gus Meins. Produced by Hal Roach and released to theaters by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, it was the 126th ''Our Gang'' short to be released and Meins' first series entry as director. ...

'' (1934)

References

External links

* *
Life, films and death of Gus Meins
1893 births 1940 suicides American film directors Suicides by carbon monoxide poisoning Suicides in California Burials at Grand View Memorial Park Cemetery 1940 deaths German emigrants to the United States {{US-film-director-1890s-stub