Maria Margarethe Anna Schell (15 January 1926 – 26 April 2005) was an

Austria Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...

Swiss Swiss may refer to: * the adjectival form of Switzerland *Swiss people Places * Swiss, Missouri *Swiss, North Carolina * Swiss, West Virginia *Swiss, Wisconsin Other uses * Swiss-system tournament, in various games and sports * Swiss Internation ...

actress. She was one of the leading stars of German cinema in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1954, she was awarded the Cannes Best Actress Award for her performance in

Helmut Käutner Helmut Käutner (25 March 1908 – 20 April 1980) was a German film director active mainly in the 1940s and 1950s. He entered the film industry at the end of the Weimar Republic and released his first films as a director in Nazi Germany. Käu ...

's war drama ''

The Last Bridge ''The Last Bridge'' (german: Die Letzte Brücke) is a 1954 Austrian-Yugoslavian war drama film directed by Helmut Käutner and starring Maria Schell, Bernhard Wicki and Barbara Rütting.Von Dassanowsky p.157 It tells the story of a German nur ...

'', and in 1956, she won the

Volpi Cup for Best Actress The Volpi Cup for Best Actress is an award presented by the Venice Film Festival. It is given by the festival jury in honor of an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance from the films in the competition slate. It is named in honor o ...

at the Venice Film Festival for '' Gervaise''.

Early life

Schell was born in the Austrian capital

Vienna en, Viennese , iso_code = AT-9 , registration_plate = W , postal_code_type = Postal code , postal_code = , timezone = CET , utc_offset = +1 , timezone_DST ...

, the daughter of actress Margarethe (née Noé von Nordberg; 1905–1995), who ran an acting school, and Hermann Ferdinand Schell (1900–1972), a Swiss poet, novelist, playwright, and owner of a pharmacy.Ross, Lillian and Helen
''The Player: A Profile of an Art
Simon & Schuster (1961) pp. 231-239 Her parents were Roman Catholics. She was the older sister of actor

Maximilian Schell Maximilian Schell (8 December 1930 – 1 February 2014) was an Austrian-born Swiss actor, who also wrote, directed and produced some of his own films. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for the 1961 American film '' Judgment at Nuremberg'', ...

and lesser-known actors Carl Schell (1927-2019) and Immaculata "Immy" Schell (1935-1992). After the ''

Anschluss The (, or , ), also known as the (, en, Annexation of Austria), was the annexation of the Federal State of Austria into the German Reich on 13 March 1938. The idea of an (a united Austria and Germany that would form a " Greater Germa ...

'' in 1938, her family moved to

Zürich , neighboring_municipalities = Adliswil, Dübendorf, Fällanden, Kilchberg, Maur, Oberengstringen, Opfikon, Regensdorf, Rümlang, Schlieren, Stallikon, Uitikon, Urdorf, Wallisellen, Zollikon , twintowns = Kunming, San Francisco Z ...

in Switzerland. Maria Schell began commercial training, but soon entered the film business when she met the Swiss actor and director Sigfrit Steiner.

Career

Schell premiered in Steiner's 1942 film ''Steibruch'', side by side with the well-known Swiss actor

Heinrich Gretler Heinrich Gretler (1897–1977) was a Swiss film and television actor, who also starred on stage at the Bernhard-Theater in Zurich. Selected filmography * '' The Mysterious Mirror'' (1928) * ''Struggle for the Matterhorn'' (1928) * '' The Man ...

, and took acting lessons for several theatre engagements. After World War II, she was cast in her first leading role in the 1948 film '' The Angel with the Trumpet'', directed by Karl Hartl. She starred in such films as ''

The Magic Box ''The Magic Box'' is a 1951 British Technicolor biographical drama film directed by John Boulting. The film stars Robert Donat as William Friese-Greene, with numerous cameo appearances by performers such as Peter Ustinov and Laurence Olivie ...

'', ''

Dr. Holl ''Dr. Holl'' is a 1951 West German drama film directed by Rolf Hansen and starring Maria Schell, Dieter Borsche and Carl Wery. At the 1st Berlin International Film Festival it won the Certificate of Honour award. It was shot at the Bavaria St ...

'' (1951), ''

So Little Time ''So Little Time'' is an American sitcom starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in their third television series. It aired on Fox Family: the first half of the series aired from June 2 to August 15, 2001, and the series then went on a four-month ...

'' (1952), ''

The Heart of the Matter ''The Heart of the Matter'' (1948) is a novel by English author Graham Greene. The book details a life-changing moral crisis for Henry Scobie. Greene, a former British intelligence officer in Freetown, British Sierra Leone, drew on his expe ...

'' (1953). Her emotional acting earned her the nickname ''Seelchen'' ("little soul"), coined by her colleague

Oskar Werner Oskar Werner (; born Oskar Josef Bschließmayer; 13 November 1922 23 October 1984) was an Austrian stage and cinema actor whose prominent roles include two 1965 films, '' The Spy Who Came in from the Cold'' and ''Ship of Fools''. Other notable ...

. The 1956 film '' Gervaise'' directed by

René Clément René Clément (; 18 March 1913 – 17 March 1996) was a French film director and screenwriter. Life and career Clément studied architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts where he developed an interest in filmmaking. In 1936, he directed hi ...

was also a nominee for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film; while in Hollywood, Schell met with

Yul Brynner Yuliy Borisovich Briner (russian: link=no, Юлий Борисович Бринер; July 11, 1920 – October 10, 1985), known professionally as Yul Brynner, was a Russian-born actor. He was best known for his portrayal of King Mongkut in th ...

, who urged for her casting in ''

The Brothers Karamazov ''The Brothers Karamazov'' (russian: Братья Карамазовы, ''Brat'ya Karamazovy'', ), also translated as ''The Karamazov Brothers'', is the last novel by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. Dostoevsky spent nearly two years writing '' ...

'' (1958) in the role of Grushenka. Schell also starred with

Gary Cooper Gary Cooper (born Frank James Cooper; May 7, 1901May 13, 1961) was an American actor known for his strong, quiet screen persona and understated acting style. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice and had a further three nominations, a ...

in '' The Hanging Tree'' (1959), and with

Glenn Ford Gwyllyn Samuel Newton "Glenn" Ford (May 1, 1916 – August 30, 2006) was a Canadian-American actor who often portrayed ordinary men in unusual circumstances. Ford was most prominent during Classical Hollywood cinema, Hollywood's Golden Age as ...

in '' Cimarron'' (1960). Other famous movie parts included ''

Le notti bianche ''White Nights'' ( it, Le notti bianche, french: Nuits blanches) is a 1957 romantic drama film directed by Luchino Visconti, based on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s 1848 short story of the same name. It was written for the screen by Visconti and Suso Cec ...

'' (1957), ''

Rose Bernd ''Rose Bernd'' is a stage drama in five acts by Gerhart Hauptmann Gerhart Johann Robert Hauptmann (; 15 November 1862 – 6 June 1946) was a German dramatist and novelist. He is counted among the most important promoters of literary naturali ...

'' (1957), and ''

Superman Superman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, and debuted in the comic book ''Action Comics'' #1 (cover-dated June 1938 and publi ...

'' (1978). Schell played Mother Maria in the sequel to '' Lilies of the Field'' titled '' Christmas Lilies of the Field''. In 1959 she appeared on "What's my Line?" as the mystery guest on February 15. In 1970, Maria Schell starred opposite Christopher Lee in ''

The Bloody Judge George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys, PC (15 May 1645 – 18 April 1689), also known as "the Hanging Judge", was a Welsh judge. He became notable during the reign of King James II, rising to the position of Lord Chancellor (and serving as ...

'' by

Jesús Franco Jesús Franco Manera (12 May 1930 – 2 April 2013) was a Spanish filmmaker, composer, and actor, known as a prolific director of low-budget exploitation and B-movies. In a career spanning from 1959 to 2013, he wrote, directed, produced, act ...

. In 1976, she starred in a ''

Kojak ''Kojak'' is an American action crime drama television series starring Telly Savalas as the title character, New York City Police Department Detective Lieutenant Theodopolis "Theo" Kojak. Taking the time slot of the popular ''Cannon'' series, ...

'' episode, and also had three guest appearances in the German television series '' Der Kommissar'' and two in ''

Derrick A derrick is a lifting device composed at minimum of one guyed mast, as in a gin pole, which may be articulated over a load by adjusting its guys. Most derricks have at least two components, either a guyed mast or self-supporting tower, and a ...

'', in the episodes "Yellow He" (1977) and "Klavierkonzert" (1978). Schell appeared on stage, including an acclaimed performance in the 1976 Broadway play ''

Poor Murderer ''Poor Murderer'' is a play written by Pavel Kohout that premiered at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Broadway on 20 October 1976 and closed on 2 January 1977 after 87 performances. Setting The time is 1900, and it takes place in the great hall o ...

'' by

Pavel Kohout Pavel Kohout (born 20 July 1928) is a Czech and Austrian novelist, playwright, and poet. He was a member of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, a Prague Spring participant and dissident in the 1970s until he was not allowed to return from Au ...

and the leading role in

Friedrich Dürrenmatt Friedrich Dürrenmatt (; 5 January 1921 – 14 December 1990) was a Swiss author and dramatist. He was a proponent of epic theatre whose plays reflected the recent experiences of World War II. The politically active author's work included avant-g ...

's play '' The Visit'' with the

Schauspielhaus Zürich The Schauspielhaus Zürich ( en, Zürich playhouse) is one of the most prominent and important theatres in the German-speaking world. It is also known as "Pfauenbühne" (Peacock Stage). The large theatre has 750 seats. The also operates three s ...

ensemble.

Personal life

Schell was married twice – first to film director

Horst Hächler Horst Hächler (born 12 March 1926) is a German actor, film producer and director.Grandits & Taylor p.241 He was married to the actress Maria Schell from 1957 to 1965. Selected filmography * ''The Orplid Mystery'' (1950) * '' Beloved Life'' (1953 ...

(divorced in 1965), and second to director Veit Relin (divorced in 1986). Her daughter by her second marriage, actress Marie Theres Relin (born 1966), was married to

Bavaria Bavaria ( ; ), officially the Free State of Bavaria (german: Freistaat Bayern, link=no ), is a state in the south-east of Germany. With an area of , Bavaria is the largest German state by land area, comprising roughly a fifth of the total lan ...

n playwright

Franz Xaver Kroetz Franz Xaver Kroetz (; born 25 February 1946) is a German author, playwright, actor and film director. He achieved great success beginning in the early 1970s. ''Persistent'', '' Farmyard'', and ''Request Concert'', all written in 1971, are some o ...

, and has three children; she made a media and internet appearance as a spokeswoman for

housewives A housewife (also known as a homemaker or a stay-at-home mother/mom/mum) is a woman whose role is running or managing her family's home—housekeeping, which includes caring for her children; cleaning and maintaining the home; making, buying an ...

(''If Pigs Could Fly. Die Hausfrauenrevolution'', 2004).

Affair with Glenn Ford

Schell admitted to carrying on a passionate love affair with

in 1960 on location of their film '' Cimarron''. Ford’s son Peter confirmed her story in his 2011 biography ''Glenn Ford: A Life''. In 1981, Schell gave Ford a dachshund puppy which he named Bismarck. The dog became his favorite and a constant source of comfort for him in his later years when he became ill and bedridden. After the dog’s death, he had it cremated and requested that its ashes be buried with him upon his death, which they were when Ford died in 2006.

Death

Maria Schell's last years were overshadowed by her ill health. She attempted suicide in 1991, and suffered repeated strokes. Her final public appearance was at the premiere of her brother Maximilian's documentary film ''My Sister Maria'' (2002); both were awarded the

Bambi Award The Bambi, often called the Bambi Award and stylised as BAMBI, is a German award presented annually by Hubert Burda Media to recognize excellence in international media and television to personalities in the media, arts, culture, sports, and oth ...

for their work. Schell lived reclusively in the remote village of Preitenegg, Carinthia in the Austrian Alps until her death from pneumonia on 26 April 2005, aged 79. Upon her death, her brother released a statement, stating in part: "Towards the end of her life, she suffered silently, and I never heard her complain. I admire her for that. Her death might have been for her a salvation. But not for me. She is irreplaceable."

Autobiographical works

*1985: ''Die Kostbarkeit des Augenblicks. Gedanken, Erinnerungen.'' Langen Müller, München, . *1998: ''"... und wenn's a Katz is!" Mein Weg durchs Leben.'' Lübbe, Bergisch Gladbach, .

Filmography

* ''Steibruch'' (1942), as Meiti / Gretl * '' The Angel with the Trumpet'' (1948), as Selma Rosner * ''

Maresi ''Maresi'' is a 1948 Austrian period drama film directed by Hans Thimig and starring Attila Hörbiger, Maria Schell and Siegfried Breuer. It was one of the box offices successes of 1948.Von Dassanowsky p.129 The film was based on the 1935 story of ...

'' (1948), as Blanka von Steinville - The Daughter * '' After the Storm'' (1948), as Gretel Aichinger * '' The Last Night'' (1949) * '' The Angel with the Trumpet'' (1950), as Anna Linden * '' A Day Will Come'' (1950), as Madeleine * ''

'' (1951), as Angelika Alberti * ''

'' (1951), as Helena Friese-Greene * ''

'' (1952), as Nicole de Malvines * '' Until We Meet Again'' (1952), as Pamela * '' Dreaming Lips'' (1953), as Elisabeth * '' As Long as You're Near Me'' (1953), as Eva Berger * '' Diary of a Married Woman'' (1953), as Barbara Holzmann * ''

'' (1953), as Helen Rolt * ''

'' (1954), as Dr. Helga Reinbeck * ' (1955), as Barbara Bertram, geb. Hansen * ''

Napoléon Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...

'' (1955, by Sacha Guitry), as Marie-Louise, Napoleon's Austrian wife * ''

Die Ratten ' (''The Rats'') is a 1955 West German drama film directed by Robert Siodmak. It is an adaptation of the 1911 play '' The Rats'' by Gerhart Hauptmann, but transferred the story to the early 1950s, shortly after the Second World War. It tells the ...

'' (1955), as Pauline Karka * '' Gervaise'' (1956, by Rene Clement, from Émile Zola's ''

L'Assommoir ''L'Assommoir'' , published as a serial in 1876, and in book form in 1877, is the seventh novel in Émile Zola's twenty-volume series ''Les Rougon-Macquart''. Usually considered one of Zola's masterpieces, the novel — a study of alcoholism and po ...

''), as Gervaise Macquart Coupeau, une blanchisseuse douce et courageuse * ''

Love Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest Interpersonal relationship, interpersonal affection, to the simplest pleasure. An example of this range of ...

'' (1956), as Anna Ballard * ''

'' (1957), as Rose Bernd * ''

Le Notti Bianche ''White Nights'' ( it, Le notti bianche, french: Nuits blanches) is a 1957 romantic drama film directed by Luchino Visconti, based on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s 1848 short story of the same name. It was written for the screen by Visconti and Suso Cec ...

'' (1957), as Natalia * ''

'' (1958), as Grushenka * '' One Life'', by

Alexandre Astruc Alexandre Astruc (; 13 July 1923 – 19 May 2016) was a French film critic and film director. Biography Before becoming a film director he was a journalist, novelist and film critic. His contribution to the auteur theory centers on his notion ...

(1958, from an eponym novel by

Guy de Maupassant Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant (, ; ; 5 August 1850 – 6 July 1893) was a 19th-century French author, remembered as a master of the short story form, as well as a representative of the Naturalist school, who depicted human lives, destin ...

), as Jeanne Dandieu épouse de Lamare * ''

Der Schinderhannes ''Der Schinderhannes'' is a 1958 film directed by Helmut Käutner, starring Curd Jürgens and Maria Schell. It was also known as ''Duel in the Forest''. The story depicts the life of the 18th century outlaw Schinderhannes. It is based on a 1927 p ...

'' (1958), as Julchen * '' The Hanging Tree'' (1959), as Elizabeth Mahler * '' As the Sea Rages'' (1959), as Mana * '' Cimarron'' (1960), as Sabra Cravat * '' The Mark'' (1961), as Ruth Leighton * ''

Das Riesenrad ''Das Riesenrad'' (English: ''The Giant Wheel'') is a 1961 West German drama film directed by Géza von Radványi. It was entered into the 2nd Moscow International Film Festival. It was shot at the Spandau Studios and on location in Vienna and ...

'' (1961), as Elisabeth von Hill * '' Only a Woman'' (1962), as Lilli König * ' (1963), as Beate Dehn * ' (1963), as Agnès Duvillard *''

The Devil by the Tail ''The Devil by the Tail'' (French: ''Le diable par la queue'') is a 1969 French-Italian comedy film directed by Philippe de Broca and starring Yves Montand, Madeleine Renaud and Maria Schell.Monaco p.384 Cast * Yves Montand as Le baron César Ma ...

'' (1969), as Countess Diane * ''

99 Women ''99 Women'' (german: Der heiße Tod, translation=The Hot Death) is a 1969 women in prison film directed by Jesús Franco and starring Maria Schell, Mercedes McCambridge, Maria Rohm, Rosalba Neri, Luciana Paluzzi and Herbert Lom. One of the ...

'' (1969), as Leonie Caroll * ''

'' (1970), as Mother Rosa * '' La Provocation'' (1970), as Jeanne * ''Dans la poussière du soleil'' (1972), as Gertie Bradford * ''Chamsin'' (1972), as Miriam * ''Die Pfarrhauskomödie'' (1972), as Irma * ''

The Odessa File ''The Odessa File'' is a thriller by English writer Frederick Forsyth, first published in 1972, about the adventures of a young German reporter attempting to discover the location of a former SS concentration-camp commander. The name ODESSA ...

'' (1974), as Frau Miller * ''Change'' (1975), as Mama * '' The Twist'' (1976), as Gretel * ''

Voyage of the Damned ''Voyage of the Damned'' is a 1976 drama film directed by Stuart Rosenberg, with an all-star cast featuring Faye Dunaway, Oskar Werner, Lee Grant, Max von Sydow, James Mason, and Malcolm McDowell. The story was inspired by actual events co ...

'' (1976), as Mrs. Hauser * ''

'' - Season 4, Episode 11: "The Pride and the Princess" (1976), as Sister Lepar Angelica / Princess Viva Dushan * ''

'' (1977-1978), as Luisa van Doom / Erika Rabes * ''

'' (1978), as Vond-Ah * '' Christmas Lilies of the Field'' (1979), as Valeska Piontek * ''

The Martian Chronicles ''The Martian Chronicles'' is a science fiction fix-up novel, published in 1950, by American writer Ray Bradbury that chronicles the exploration and settlement of Mars, the home of indigenous Martians, by Americans leaving a troubled Earth th ...

'' mini-series - Season 1 (1980), as Anna Lustig * ''

Frau Jenny Treibel ''Frau Jenny Treibel'' is a German novel published in 1892 by Theodor Fontane. Plot The primary subject of the novel revolves around two Berlin families. One is the upper-class Treibel family consisting of the Councillor of commerce and his ...

'' (1982, TV film), as Jenny Treibel * ''

Inside the Third Reich ''Inside the Third Reich'' (german: Erinnerungen, "Memories") is a memoir written by Albert Speer, the Nazi Minister of Armaments from 1942 to 1945, serving as Adolf Hitler's main architect before this period. It is considered to be one of the m ...

'' (1983), as Mrs. Speer * ''Král Drozdia Brada'' (1984), as královna, Michalova matka * '' 1919'' (1985), as Sophie Rubin * ''

Die glückliche Familie ''Die glückliche Familie ''(The Happy Family) is a German television series made up of three seasons, and has a total of 52 episodes. The series ran from 1987 to 1991 on Wednesdays. This show tells the story of the Behringer family living throug ...

'' (1987-1991, TV Series), as Maria Behringer

Decorations and awards

* 1951-1957, 1987, 2002:

Bambi award The Bambi, often called the Bambi Award and stylised as BAMBI, is a German award presented annually by Hubert Burda Media to recognize excellence in international media and television to personalities in the media, arts, culture, sports, and oth ...

* 1954: Honorable Mention at the

Cannes International Film Festival The Cannes Festival (; french: link=no, Festival de Cannes), until 2003 called the International Film Festival (') and known in English as the Cannes Film Festival, is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films o ...

for ''The Last Bridge'' * 1956:

Volpi Cup The Venice Film Festival or Venice International Film Festival ( it, Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica della Biennale di Venezia, "International Exhibition of Cinematographic Art of the Venice Biennale") is an annual film festival he ...

at the Venice International Film Festival for ''Gervaise'' * 1957 and 1958: Golden and Silver

Bravo Otto The Bravo Otto is a German accolade honoring excellence of performers in film, television and music. Established in 1957, the award is presented annually, with winners selected by the readers of ''Bravo'' magazine. The award is presented in ...

* 1974: Merit Cross of the Federal Republic of Germany * 1977:

German Film Awards German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

, Gold Award for many years of excellent work in the German film industry * 1980: Great Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany * 1983: Golden Camera * 2002:

Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 1st class The Austrian Decoration for Science and Art (german: Österreichisches Ehrenzeichen für Wissenschaft und Kunst) is a state decoration of the Republic of Austria and forms part of the Austrian national honours system. History The "Austrian D ...

* 2008: Maria Schell street named in Landstrasse (Vienna's 3rd District, area Aspanggründe / Euro-gate)

References

External links

* *
Obituary: Maria Schell (1926-2005)

Photographs and literature

Maria Schell Estate
at Deutsches Filminstitut, Frankfurt am Main {{DEFAULTSORT:Schell, Maria 1926 births 2005 deaths 20th-century Austrian actresses Actresses from Vienna Austrian film actresses Austrian television actresses Austrian people of Swiss descent Commanders Crosses of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany People from Carinthia (state) Recipients of the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 1st class Recipients of the Bambi (prize) Volpi Cup for Best Actress winners Austrian memoirists Swiss expatriates in Austria Expatriates in Germany Expatriates in Switzerland