John Rudolph Freuler (November 17, 18721958) was an American businessman in the film industry who owned theaters, film exchanges, and film studios. He signed

Charlie Chaplin Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin Jr. (16 April 188925 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, the Tramp, and is consider ...

to a lucrative contract at

Mutual Film Mutual Film Corporation was an early American film conglomerate that produced some of Charlie Chaplin's greatest comedies. Founded in 1912, it was absorbed by Film Booking Offices of America, which evolved into RKO Pictures. Founding Mutual's ...

. Later in his career he owned Monarch Films studio. The Chicago History Museum has a collection of his papers.

Biography

Freuler was born in

Monroe, Wisconsin Monroe, known as "the Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA", is a city in and the county seat of Green County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 10,661 at the 2020 census. The city is bordered by the Town of Monroe to the north and the T ...

and schooled in Milwaukee. His father had emigrated from Switzerland. Freuler studied at

Spencerian Business College Spencerian Business College is the name of various business schools established in the 19th century by Platt R. Spencer, his son Robert C. Spencer, or by Enos Spencer (whose relation to the other two Spencers is unclear), sometimes in associatio ...

. Early in his career he worked in the real estate business. He opened a theater in 1905 and after he sold it, he opened a film exchange. In 1910, Freuler formed a partnership with Chicago film distributor Samuel S. Hutchinson, establishing the

American Film Manufacturing Company The American Film Manufacturing Company, also known as Flying “A” Studios, was an American motion picture production company. In 1915, the formal name was changed to the American Film Company. History The American Film Manufacturing Comp ...

. In 1912 he helped organize the

Mutual Film Corporation Mutual Film Corporation was an early American film conglomerate that produced some of Charlie Chaplin's greatest comedies. Founded in 1912, it was absorbed by Film Booking Offices of America, which evolved into RKO Pictures. Founding Mutual ...

. Freuler and

Harry Aitken Harry E. Aitken (1877August 1, 1956) was a film studio Executive producer, executive. Life He was born on 4 October 1877. He grew up on a family farm near Goerke's Corners, Wisconsin. The brothers operated Keystone Studios and eventually Harry ...

, who worked together on film projects, had both grown up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was photographed with Charlie Chaplin and his brother Sydney Chaplin signing the Mutual Film contract. In the 1930s he established Freuler Film Associates, a film production company that produced westerns starring

Tom Tyler Tom Tyler (born Vincent Markowski; August 9, 1903 – May 1, 1954) was an American actor known for his leading roles in low-budget Western films in the silent and sound eras, and for his portrayal of superhero Captain Marvel in the 1941 ...

. Freuler Associates set up a Monarch Melodramas division to release action films.

Personal life

He married Augusta J."Jessie" Golz and had two daughters. His brother-in-law, Otto E. Golz (1876-1917), was the Milwaukee, Wisconsin branch manager of Mutual Film. (Motion Picture News Vol 16, page 3652).

Filmography

*''

Beyond the Rio Grande ''Beyond the Rio Grande'' is a 1930 American pre-Code western film directed by Harry S. Webb and starring Jack Perrin, Franklyn Farnum and Jay Wilsey.Munden, p. 55 Cast * Jack Perrin as Bert Allen * Franklyn Farnum as Joe Kemp * Charline B ...

'' (1930), presenter * '' Take the Heir'' (1930)

Freuler Film Associates

*''

The Fighting Gentleman ''The Fighting Gentleman'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code Hollywood, pre-Code sports drama film directed by Fred C. Newmeyer with William Collier, Jr. and Josephine Dunn in the leads.Pictorial History of the Talkies, p. 60 c.1958 by Daniel Blum (19 ...

'' (1932) *'' The Savage Girl'' (1932) *''

The Forty-Niners 49er or Forty-Niner most often refers to: *A miner or other person that took part in the 1849 California Gold Rush *San Francisco 49ers, an American football team 49er or Forty-Niner may also refer to: Sports * Charlotte 49ers, athletic te ...

'' (1932) *'' The Gambling Sex'' (1932) *''

Deadwood Pass Deadwood Pass is a 1933 American Western film directed by J.P. McGowan and starring Tom Tyler, Alice Dahl, and Wally Wales. The film was shot in Newhall, Santa Clarita, CaliforniaSchneider, Jerry L. ''Western Movie Making Locations Volume 1 Sout ...

'' (1933) *''

War of the Range ''War of the Range'' is a 1933 American western film directed by J.P. McGowan and starring Tom Tyler, Charles K. French and Lane Chandler.Pitts p.386 It was the last of the Tom Tyler Westerns made by the independent Poverty Row company the Mona ...

'' (1933) *''

Kiss of Araby ''Kiss of Araby'' is a 1933 American Pre-Code adventure film directed by Phil Rosen and starring Maria Alba, Walter Byron and Claire Windsor.Pitts p.158 It is an action melodrama set in the Middle East. Plot A British Army officer is forced t ...

'' (1933) *''

Marriage on Approval ''Marriage on Approval'' is a 1933 pre-Code American drama film directed by Howard Higgin and starring Barbara Kent, Don Dillaway and William Farnum.Pitts p.162 It was released in the United Kingdom by British Lion under the alternative title of ...

'' (1933) *'' When a Man Rides Alone'' (1933) *'' The Penal Code'' (1932) *''

Easy Millions ''Easy Millions'' is a 1933 American comedy film directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and starring Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher, Dorothy Burgess and Merna Kennedy.Pitts p.161 Cast * Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher * Dorothy Burgess * Merna Kennedy * Jo ...

'' (1933) *''

Secrets of Hollywood Secrecy is the practice of hiding information from certain individuals or groups who do not have the "need to know", perhaps while sharing it with other individuals. That which is kept hidden is known as the secret. Secrecy is often controvers ...

'' (1933) *'' Love Past Thirty'' (1934)

Monarch Film Corporation melodramas

*''

'' (1932) * '' The Gambling Sex'' (1932) *'' The Savage Girl'' (1932) *'' The Forty-Niners (1932 film)'' (1932) *''

The Penal Code ''The Penal Code'' is a 1932 American crime drama film directed by George Melford. Plot summary A man serves time in prison, going to disguise his whereabouts from his family. After he is released a blackmail scheme ensues. Cast *Regis Too ...

'' (1932) *''

'' (1933) *''

'' (1933) *'' When a Man Rides Alone'' (1933) *''

'' (1933) *'' Love Past Thirty'' (1934) *''

Twenty Dollars a Week (1935 film) ''$20 a Week'' is a 1935 American melodrama film directed by Wesley Ford and starring James Murray, Pauline Starke, and Gwen Lee. It was released on February 2, 1935. Plot Sally Blair, a feisty young stenographer is in the employ of a Mr. War ...

'' (1935)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Freuler, John R. American people of Swiss descent People from Monroe, Wisconsin 1872 births 1958 deaths Filmmakers from Milwaukee