Wolfgang Georg Louis Liebeneiner (6 October 1905 – 28 November 1987) was a German

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), lit ...

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, pr ...

and theatre director.

Beginnings

He was born in Liebau in Prussian Silesia. In 1928, he was taught by

Otto Falckenberg Otto Falckenberg (5 October 1873 in Koblenz25 December 1947 in Munich) was a German theatre director, manager and writer. In April 1901, he co-founded '' Die Elf Scharfrichter'', the first political ''kabarett'' (a form of cabaret Cabaret is a ...

, the director of the Munich Kammerspiele, in acting and directing.

Nazi era

In 1936, Liebeneiner became a member of the Prussian State Theater () in Berlin and in 1938, he became artistic director of the German Film Academy Babelsberg (). In 1941, he directed the film ''

Ich klage an ''Ich klage an'' (; en, I Accuse, italic=yes, link=yes) is a 1941 Nazi German pro- euthanasia propaganda film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and produced by Heinrich Jonen and Ewald von Demandowsky. It was banned by Allied powers after th ...

'' (''I accuse'') in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda. The film was about

voluntary euthanasia Voluntary euthanasia (VE) is the ending of a person's life at their request in order to relieve them of suffering. Voluntary euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) have been the focus of intense debate in recent years. Some forms of ...

of a woman suffering from

multiple sclerosis Multiple (cerebral) sclerosis (MS), also known as encephalomyelitis disseminata or disseminated sclerosis, is the most common demyelinating disease, in which the insulating covers of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged. This ...

, but was intended to support the T4 euthanasia program. He received a

doctorate A doctorate (from Latin ''docere'', "to teach"), doctor's degree (from Latin ''doctor'', "teacher"), or doctoral degree is an academic degree awarded by universities and some other educational institutions, derived from the ancient formalism ''l ...

in the years from 1942 to 1945 while working for

Universum Film AG UFA GmbH, shortened to UFA (), is a film and television production company that unites all production activities of the media conglomerate Bertelsmann in Germany. Its name derives from Universum-Film Aktiengesellschaft (normally abbreviated as ...

, the largest German

film studio A film studio (also known as movie studio or simply studio) is a major entertainment company or motion picture company that has its own privately owned studio facility or facilities that are used to make films, which is handled by the productio ...

at that time.

Post war

In 1947, Liebeneiner directed the debut of

Wolfgang Borchert Wolfgang Borchert (; 20 May 1921 – 20 November 1947) was a German author and playwright whose work was strongly influenced by his experience of dictatorship and his service in the '' Wehrmacht'' during the Second World War. His work is among ...

's play ' ('' The Man Outside'') in the Hamburg Kammerspiele. In 1956 he was successful with the film ''

The Trapp Family ''The Trapp Family'' (german: Die Trapp-Familie, links=no) is a 1956 West German comedy drama film about the real-life Austrian musical family of that name directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Ruth Leuwerik, Hans Holt, and Maria Holst. ...

''. He died on 28 November 1987 in Vienna after a long illness.

Personal life

Liebeneiner was married twice: first, from 1934 to the actress

Ruth Hellberg Ruth Hellberg (2 November 1906 – 26 April 2001) was a German actress. She appeared in more than 25 films between 1933 and 1991. Selected filmography * ''What Men Know'' (1933) * '' Yvette'' (1938) * ''Heimat'' (1938) * '' Drei Unteroffizi ...

, then from 1944 to the actress

Hilde Krahl Hilde Krahl (10 January 1917 – 28 June 1999) was an Austrian film actress. She appeared in 70 films between 1936 and 1994. She was born Hildegard Kolačný in Brod, Austria-Hungary (now Slavonski Brod, Croatia) in 1917, and she died in V ...

, with whom he had his daughter

Johanna Liebeneiner Johanna Liebeneiner is a German stage, film and television actress An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media suc ...

, who also became an actress.

Selected filmography

Actor

* '' The Other Side'' (1931) * ''

Happy Days in Aranjuez ''Happy Days in Aranjuez'' (german: Die schönen Tage von Aranjuez) is a 1933 German comedy film directed by Johannes Meyer and starring Brigitte Helm, Gustaf Gründgens and Wolfgang Liebeneiner. The film focus on a notorious jewel thief operat ...

'' (1933) * '' Farewell Waltz'' (1934) * '' Music in the Blood'' (1934) * '' Asew'' (1935) * '' Liebelei'' (1933, directed by

Max Ophüls Maximillian Oppenheimer (; 6 May 1902 – 26 March 1957), known as Max Ophüls (; ), was a German-French film director who worked in Germany (1931–1933), France (1933–1940 and 1950–1957), and the United States (1947–1950). He made near ...

) * '' A Love Story'' (1933) * '' Enjoy Yourselves'' (1934) * ''

What Am I Without You ''What Am I Without You'' (german: Was bin ich ohne Dich) is a 1934 German musical comedy film directed by Arthur Maria Rabenalt and starring Wolfgang Liebeneiner, Betty Bird, and Olga Chekhova. The film's sets were designed by the art directors ...

'' (1934) * '' A Night on the Danube'' (1935) * '' Every Day Isn't Sunday'' (1935) * ''

Artist Love ''Artist Love'' (german: Künstlerliebe) is a 1935 German historical drama film directed by Fritz Wendhausen and starring , Wolfgang Liebeneiner and Olga Chekhova. The film's sets were designed by the art director Werner Schlichting. Synopsis I ...

'' (1935) * '' His Late Excellency'' (1935) * ''

The Blonde Carmen ''The Blonde Carmen'' (german: Die blonde Carmen) is a 1935 German musical comedy film directed by Victor Janson and starring Mártha Eggerth, Wolfgang Liebeneiner, and Ida Wüst.Zanger p. 30 It is part of the tradition of operetta films. It w ...

'' (1935) * '' Friedemann Bach'' (1941)

Director

Film * '' The Model Husband'' (1937) * ''

Don't Promise Me Anything ''Don't Promise Me Anything'' (german: Versprich mir nichts!) is a 1937 German comedy film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Luise Ullrich, Viktor de Kowa and Heinrich George. It was partly shot at the Grunewald Studios in Berlin ...

'' (1937) * '' You and I'' (1938) * ''

Yvette Yvette is female given name, the French feminine form of Yves, which means yew or archer in some cases. Name days *Czech Republic: ''7 June'' *Hungary: ''13 January'', ''6 May'' and ''29 June'' *Poland: ''13 January'' *Slovakia: ''27 May'' ...

'' (1938) * ''

Target in the Clouds ''Target in the Clouds'' (German: ''Ziel in den Wolken'') is a 1939 German drama film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Albert Matterstock, Leny Marenbach and Brigitte Horney. It was based on a novel by Hans Rabl. The film portrays t ...

'' (1939) * ''

The Leghorn Hat ''The Leghorn Hat'' (german: Der Florentiner Hut) is a 1939 German period comedy film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Heinz Rühmann, Herti Kirchner and Christl Mardayn. It is based on the 1851 play '' The Italian Straw Hat'' writt ...

'' (1939) * '' Bismarck'' (1940) * ''

'' (1941) * '' Die Entlassung'' (1942) * '' Melody of a Great City'' (1943) * ''

Love '47 ''Love '47'' (german: Liebe 47) is a 1949 German drama film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Dieter Horn, Hilde Krahl and Sylvia Schwarz. It was part of the cycle of rubble films made in post-war Germany. A young man and a woman ab ...

'' (1949) * ''

My Niece Susanne ''My Niece Susanne'' (german: Meine Nichte Susanne) is a 1950 West German musical comedy film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Hilde Krahl, Inge Meysel and Harald Paulsen. It is set in Paris at the beginning of the twentieth centur ...

'' (1950) * '' Abundance of Life'' (1950) * '' When a Woman Loves'' (1950) * '' The Blue Star of the South'' (1951) * '' Gateway to Peace'' (1951) * '' 1. April 2000'' (1952) * ''

The Dancing Heart ''The Dancing Heart'' (german: Das tanzende Herz) is a 1953 West German historical film, historical musical comedy film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Gertrud Kückelmann, Gunnar Möller, and Wilfried Seyferth.Bock & Bergfelder p. ...

'' (1953) * ''

The Stronger Woman ''The Stronger Woman'' (german: Die Stärkere) is a 1953 West German drama film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Gertrud Kückelmann, Hans Söhnker and Antje Weisgerber.Reimer, Robert C. ''Cultural History Through a National Social ...

'' (1953) * ''

The Beautiful Miller ''The Beautiful Miller'' (german: Die schöne Müllerin) is a 1954 West German romantic drama film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Waltraut Haas, Gerhard Riedmann and Hertha Feiler.Bock & Bergfelder p.216 It was made at the Te ...

'' (1954) * '' Love is Forever'' (1954) * '' On the Reeperbahn at Half Past Midnight'' (1954) * ''

I Was an Ugly Girl ''I Was an Ugly Girl'' (German: ''Ich war ein häßliches Mädchen'') is a 1955 West German romantic comedy film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Sonja Ziemann, Dieter Borsche and Karlheinz Böhm. It is based on the 1937 novel of the ...

'' (1955) * '' Leave on Word of Honour'' (1955) * ''

'' (1956) * '' Winter in the Woods'' (1956) * '' Queen Louise'' (1957) * '' Goodbye, Franziska'' (1957) * '' Immer wenn der Tag beginnt'' (1957) * '' The Trapp Family in America'' (1958) * ''

Taiga Taiga (; rus, тайга́, p=tɐjˈɡa; relates to Mongolic and Turkic languages), generally referred to in North America as a boreal forest or snow forest, is a biome characterized by coniferous forests consisting mostly of pines, sp ...

'' (1958) * '' Sebastian Kneipp'' (1958) * '' My Daughter Patricia'' (1959) * ''

Jacqueline Jacqueline may refer to: People * Jacqueline (given name), including a list of people with the name * Jacqueline Moore (born 1964), ring name "Jacqueline", American professional wrestler Arts and entertainment * ''Jacqueline'' (1923 film), ...

'' (1959) * ''

Ingeborg Ingeborg is a Germanic feminine given name, mostly used in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, derived from Old Norse ''Ingiborg, Ingibjǫrg'', combining the theonym ''Ing'' with the element ''borg'' "stronghold, protection". Ingebjørg is the N ...

'' (1960) * ''

I'm Marrying the Director ''I'm Marrying the Director'' (German: ''Ich heirate Herrn Direktor'') is a 1960 Austrian comedy film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Heidelinde Weis, Gerhard Riedmann and Hans Söhnker.Bock & Bergfelder p.252 It was shot at the ...

'' (1960) * ''

A Woman for Life ''A Woman for Life'' (german: Eine Frau fürs ganze Leben) is a 1960 West German musical comedy film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Ruth Leuwerik, Klausjürgen Wussow, and Harry Meyen.Bock & Bergfelder p. 284 The film's sets were ...

'' (1960) * ''

Final Accord ''Final Accord'' or ''Final Chord'' (German: ''Schlußakkord'') is a 1960 drama film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Christian Marquand, Eleonora Rossi Drago and Viktor de Kowa. It was made as a co-production between France, Italy a ...

'' (1960) * '' The Last Chapter'' (1961) * ''

Schweik's Awkward Years ''Schweik's Awkward Years'' or ''Schweik's Years of Indiscretion'' (German: ''Schwejk's Flegeljahre'') is a 1964 Austrian comedy film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Peter Alexander, Rudolf Prack and Gunther Philipp.Von Dassanowsk ...

'' (1964) * ''

The World Revolves Around You ''The World Revolves Around You'' (German: ''Jetzt dreht die Welt sich nur um dich'') is a 1964 Austrian musical film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Gitte Hænning, Rex Gildo and Claus Biederstaedt.Von Dassanowsky p.186 It was ...

'' (1964) * ''

When Sweet Moonlight Is Sleeping in the Hills ''When Sweet Moonlight Is Sleeping in the Hills'' (German: ''Wenn süß das Mondlicht auf den Hügeln schläft'') is a 1969 West German drama film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Werner Hinz, Luitgard Im and Diana Körner.Staub p ...

'' (1969) * ' (1977) * '' Goetz von Berlichingen of the Iron Hand'' (1979) Television * ''

Treasure Island ''Treasure Island'' (originally titled ''The Sea Cook: A Story for Boys''Hammond, J. R. 1984. "Treasure Island." In ''A Robert Louis Stevenson Companion'', Palgrave Macmillan Literary Companions. London: Palgrave Macmillan. .) is an adventure no ...

'' (1966, TV miniseries) — (based on ''

'') * ''Ein Schloß in Schweden'' (1967) — (based on ''Château en Suède'' by Françoise Sagan) * ''Ein ehrenwerter Herr'' (1968) — (based on ''Un grand honnête homme'' by

Jules Romains Jules Romains (born Louis Henri Jean Farigoule; 26 August 1885 – 14 August 1972) was a French poet and writer and the founder of the Unanimism literary movement. His works include the play '' Knock ou le Triomphe de la médecine'', and a cycle ...

) * ' (1968, TV miniseries) — (based on ''

Tom Sawyer Thomas Sawyer () is the titular character of the Mark Twain novel ''The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' (1876). He appears in three other novels by Twain: ''Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'' (1884), ''Tom Sawyer Abroad'' (1894), and ''Tom Sawyer, Dete ...

'' and ''

Huckleberry Finn Huckleberry "Huck" Finn is a fictional character created by Mark Twain who first appeared in the book ''The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' (1876) and is the protagonist and narrator of its sequel, ''Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'' (1884). He is 12 ...

'') * ''Mister Barnett'' (1969) — (based on ''Monsieur Barnett'' by Jean Anouilh) * ''Eine konsequente Frau'' (1971) — (based on '' The Constant Wife'') * ''Die sieben Ohrfeigen'' (1971) — (remake of ''

Seven Slaps 7 is a number, numeral, and glyph. 7 or seven may also refer to: * AD 7, the seventh year of the AD era * 7 BC, the seventh year before the AD era * The month of July Music Artists * Seven (Swiss singer) (born 1978), a Swiss recording artist ...

'', 1937, based on a novel by ) * ''Besuch auf einem kleinen Planeten'' (1971) — (based on ''Visit to a Small Planet'' by

Gore Vidal Eugene Luther Gore Vidal (; born Eugene Louis Vidal, October 3, 1925 – July 31, 2012) was an American writer and public intellectual known for his epigrammatic wit, erudition, and patrician manner. Vidal was bisexual, and in his novels and e ...

) * '' Die Abenteuer des braven Soldaten Schwejk'' (1972, TV series) — (based on ''

The Good Soldier Švejk ''The Good Soldier Švejk'' () is an unfinished satirical dark comedy novel by Czech writer Jaroslav Hašek, published in 1921–1923, about a good-humored, simple-minded, middle-aged man who pretends to be enthusiastic to serve Austria-Hungary ...

'') * ''Gasparone'' (1973) — (based on ''

Gasparone ''Gasparone'' is an operetta in three acts by Carl Millöcker to a German libretto by Friedrich Zell and Richard Genée. The libretto was later revised by and . An amusing feature of the work is that the title character never appears and acts a ...

'') * ''Plaza Fortuna'' (1973) — (based on a novel by Gudrun Pausewang) * ''Eine egoistische Liebe'' (1973) — (based on '' Sons and Lovers'') * ''Schwarzwaldmädel'' (1973) — (based on '' Schwarzwaldmädel'') * ' (1975–1976, TV series) * ''Das kleine Hofkonzert'' (1976) — (based on ''

Das kleine Hofkonzert ' (''The Little Court Concert'') is a musical comedy in three acts (ten scenes) "from the world of Carl Spitzweg", music by Edmund Nick, libretto by Paul Verhoeven and Toni Impekoven. It premiered on 19 November 1935 at the Munich Kammerspiele. N ...

'') * ''Die Abenteuer des braven Soldaten Schwejk'', second season (1977, TV series) — (based on ''

'') * ''Das Drehbuch'' (1980) — (based on ''Le Scénario'' by Jean Anouilh) * ''Der Garten'' (1983) — (based on a play by Tim Aspinall) * ''Der Mustergatte'' (1983) — (based on '' Fair and Warmer'')

References

External links

*
Photographs and literature

Audio recordings with Wolfgang Liebeneiner
in the Online Archive of the

Österreichische Mediathek The Österreichische Mediathek ("Austrian Mediathek") is the Austrian archive for sound recordings and videos on cultural and contemporary history. It was founded in 1960 as Österreichische Phonothek (Austrian Phonothek) by the Ministry of Educat ...

(Plays and interviews in German). Retrieved 18 September 2019 {{DEFAULTSORT:Liebeneiner, Wolfgang 1905 births 1987 deaths 20th-century German male actors German male film actors German theatre directors German film directors German television directors Nazi propagandists Propaganda film directors People from the Province of Silesia German expatriates in Austria People from Lubawka