Bodil Rosing (born Bodil Frederikke Hammerich; December 27, 1877 December 31, 1941) was a Danish-American film actress in the silent and

sound In physics, sound is a vibration that propagates as an acoustic wave, through a transmission medium such as a gas, liquid or solid. In human physiology and psychology, sound is the ''reception'' of such waves and their ''perception'' by ...

eras.

Early years

Bodil Hammerich was born in Copenhagen, the daughter of music dean Angel Hammerich and pianist

Golla Hammerich Golla Andrea Hammerich née Bodenhoff Jensen (1854–1903) was a prominent Danish concert pianist who had studied under leading Danish musicians. It was not, however, until she was 35 that she first appeared in public. In 1895, she played a leadin ...

(née Bodenhoff-Rosing). She studied acting at the

Royal Danish Theatre The Royal Danish Theatre (RDT, Danish: ') is both the national Danish performing arts institution and a name used to refer to its old purpose-built venue from 1874 located on Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen. The theatre was founded in 1748, first s ...

in the 1890s.

Career

Rosing worked as a stage actress in Denmark, performing for three years with the

. She had her stage debut in Henrik Christiernsson's comedy ''Gurli'' at the Dagmar Theatre in 1898. Her last role at the Dagmar Theatre was as Michelle in Camille'' in 1905. In 1904, she played Bianca in ''

The Taming of the Shrew ''The Taming of the Shrew'' is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592. The play begins with a framing device, often referred to as the induction, in which a mischievous nobleman tricks a drunk ...

'' at the Casino Theatre. During the early 1920s, she made one or two stage appearances on

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

, including ''Fools Errant'' (1922), while raising her children alone.''Bodil Rosing'' short biography
allmovie.com; accessed July 28, 2015. She was retired from acting when she came to

Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywoo ...

in 1924, where her daughter married actor

Monte Blue Gerard Montgomery Blue (January 11, 1887 – February 18, 1963) was an American film actor who began his career as a romantic lead in the silent era; and for decades after the advent of sound, he continued to perform as a supporting player ...

. There, she was suddenly chosen to play a film role, in '' inn Pretty Ladies'' (1925). Rosing was under studio contract at MGM and often played matronly roles such as servants, housekeepers, cooks, or mothers. Her most notable role was perhaps

Janet Gaynor Janet Gaynor (born Laura Augusta Gainor; October 6, 1906 – September 14, 1984) was an American film, stage, and television actress. Gaynor began her career as an extra in shorts and silent films. After signing with Fox Film Corporation (late ...

's faithful maid in

F.W. Murnau Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau (born Friedrich Wilhelm Plumpe; December 28, 1888March 11, 1931) was a German film director, producer and screenwriter. He was greatly influenced by Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Shakespeare and Ibsen plays he had seen at th ...

's silent film '' Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans'' (1927). With the advent of sound film, she mostly portrayed foreigners and proved herself an extremely versatile actress in a variety of ethnicities, in about 85 films until her death. She appeared as the wife of her Danish compatriot,

Jean Hersholt Jean Pierre Carl Buron (12 July 1886 – 2 June 1956), known professionally as Jean Hersholt, was a Danish-American actor. He is best known for starring on the radio series '' Dr. Christian'' (1937–1954) and in the film '' Heidi'' (1937).Obitu ...

, in '' The Painted Veil'' (1934) with

Greta Garbo Greta Garbo (born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson; 18 September 1905 – 15 April 1990) was a Swedish-American actress. Regarded as one of the greatest screen actresses, she was known for her melancholic, somber persona, her film portrayals of tragic ch ...

, replacing the originally cast

Beulah Bondi Beulah Bondi (born Beulah Bondy; May 3, 1889 – January 11, 1981)According to the State of California. ''California Death Index, 1940–1997''. Center for Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California. At ...

to bring a warmer look to the role. She also played the German neighbor of

Lionel Barrymore Lionel Barrymore (born Lionel Herbert Blythe; April 28, 1878 – November 15, 1954) was an American actor of stage, screen and radio as well as a film director. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in ''A Free Soul'' (1931 ...

in '' You Can't Take It with You'' (1938) by

Frank Capra Frank Russell Capra (born Francesco Rosario Capra; May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991) was an Italian-born American film director, producer and writer who became the creative force behind some of the major award-winning films of the 1930s ...

Personal life

Rosing married a Norwegian doctor, Einer Jansen, in 1898; the couple had four children. They divorced in 1919.

Death

Rosing died of a heart attack, aged 64. Shortly before her death, Rosing stated about her acting: "My goal has always been to reach the heart of my audience."

Theatre roles in Denmark

; Casino Theatre * 1904 ''Trold kan tæmmes'' as Bianca, Baptista's daughter ;Dagmar Theatre * 1898 ''Gurli Clara'' as Johanson, model / Julia, Skytt's daughter * 1898 ''Trold kan tæmmes'' as Bianca, Baptistas datter * 1898 ''Ungdom'' as Anna, Pastor Hoppe's maid * 1899 ''Cyrano de Bergerac'' as Marki * 1899 ''Fejltagelserne'' as Constance Neville * 1899 ''Henning Tondorf'' as Agnete Tripke * 1899 ''Johannes den Døber'' as Maccha, Salomes legesøster * 1899 ''Min svigerdatter'' as Marie * 1899 ''Naar klostermuren brydes'' as Søster Ermegard * 1899 ''Paa gale vej'' as Renee, Helene's daughter * 1899 ''Zaza'' as Clairette, varietedame * 1900 ''Under fire øjne'' as Erna, felix's wife * 1901 ''Atalanta'' as Enkefru Thomsen * 1901 ''En spurv i tranedans'' as Luise, Varbergs datter * 1901 ''Et piskesmæld'' as Colette * 1901 ''Kameliadamen'' as Nichette * 1901 ''Sovevagonen'' as Rosina, Charbonneaus datter * 1902 ''De fattiges dyrehave'' as Elisa, Conradsens datter * 1902 ''Esther'' as Birthe, bedstemor Bagges sønnedatter * 1902 ''Gurli'' as Julia, Skytt's daughter * 1902 ''Lille Hanne'' as Engel * 1902 ''Tre om een'' as Lotta, Mrs. Sandberg's maid * 1902 ''Zaza'' as Floriane, varietedame * 1903 1''000 og 1 nat'' as Ascha, Suleimas veninde * 1903 ''Doktor Jojo'' as Eugenie, Josephins kone * 1903 ''Hjærtets begær'' as Olga Gerle * 1903 ''Kærlighed'' as Ane-Sofie, Kristine's frined 1905 ''Kameliadamen'' as Theatre *

Partial filmography

* ''

Pretty Ladies ''Pretty Ladies'' is a 1925 American silent comedy drama film starring ZaSu Pitts and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film is a fictional recreation of the famed Ziegfeld Follies. Directed by Monta Bell, the film was written by Alice D. ...

'' (1925) - Minor Role (uncredited) * ''

The Tower of Lies ''The Tower of Lies'' is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Victor Sjöström. It was written by Agnes Christine Johnston and Max Marcin, based upon Selma Lagerlöf's 1914 novel '' The Emperor of Portugallia'' (MGM actually purchased ...

'' (1925) - Midwife (uncredited) * ''

Lights of Old Broadway ''Lights of Old Broadway'' is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Monta Bell, produced by William Randolph Hearst's Cosmopolitan Productions, and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film stars Marion Davies in a dual role and Conrad ...

'' (1925) - Widow Gorman * '' The Volga Boatman'' (1926) - Tartar Woman (uncredited) * ''

The Sporting Lover ''The Sporting Lover'' is a 1926 American silent sports romance film directed by Alan Hale and starring Conway Tearle, Barbara Bedford and Ward Crane. It was based on the British play ''Good Luck'' by Ian Hay. Plot During the First World War ...

'' (1926) - Nora O'Brien * '' It Must Be Love'' (1926) - Mom Schmidt * ''

The Midnight Kiss ''The Midnight Kiss'' is a lost 1926 American silent comedy film directed by Irving Cummings and starring Janet Gaynor. It was produced and distributed by Fox Film Corporation. Cast *Richard Walling as Thomas H. Atkins Jr. *Janet Gaynor as Mildr ...

'' (1926) - Swedish maid * '' The Return of Peter Grimm'' (1926) - Marta (uncredited) * '' The City'' (1926) - Sarah * ''

Stage Madness ''Stage Madness'' is a 1927 American drama film directed by Victor Schertzinger and written by Randall Faye. The film stars Virginia Valli, Tullio Carminati, Virginia Bradford, Lou Tellegen, Richard Walling and Tyler Brooke. The film was relea ...

'' (1927) - Maid * '' Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans'' (1927) - The Maid * ''

Blondes by Choice ''Blondes by Choice'' is an American silent comedy film directed by Hampton Del Ruth and starring Claire Windsor. The script was written by Josephine Quirk and Paul Perez. Plot When a man named Cliff's car breaks down, he is towed into the ...

'' (1927) - Caroline Bennett * '' Wild Geese'' (1927) - Mrs. Sandbo * ''

The Law of the Range ''The Law of the Range'' is a 1928 American silent Western film starring Tim McCoy and Joan Crawford and Rex Lease. Plot Betty Dallas (Crawford) is a passenger on a stagecoach that is held up by an outlaw named The Solitaire Kid (Lease). Rang ...

'' (1928) - Mother of Jim and the Kid * '' The Big Noise'' (1928) - Ma Sloval * '' The Port of Missing Girls'' (1928) - Elsa * '' Ladies of the Mob'' (1928) - Yvonne's Mother * ''

Wheel of Chance ''Wheel of Chance'' is a lost 1928 silent film feature directed by Alfred Santell and starring Richard Barthelmess. It was produced and distributed by First National Pictures. Cast *Richard Barthelmess as Nilolai Turkeltaub/Jacob Taline *Bodil ...

'' (1928) - Sara Turkeltaub * ''

Out of the Ruins ''Out of the Ruins'' is a choral work by Michael Nyman for an eponymous BBC documentary by Agnieszka Piotrowska in commemorating the first anniversary of the 1988 Spitak earthquake in Armenia 7 December 1988, which aired on the BBC's ''40 Minute ...

'' (1928) - Mère Gilbert * '' The Fleet's In'' (1928) - Mrs. Deane * '' The Woman from Moscow'' (1928) - Nadia * '' King of the Rodeo'' (1929) - Mother * ''

Why Be Good? ''Why Be Good?'' is a 1929 American silent comedy film produced by First National Pictures starring Colleen Moore and Neil Hamilton. The film has no audible dialogue but is accompanied by a Vitaphone soundtrack with music, sound effects and s ...

'' (1929) - Ma Kelly * ''

Eternal Love Eternal(s) or The Eternal may refer to: * Eternity, an infinite amount of time, or a timeless state * Immortality or eternal life * God, the supreme being, creator deity, and principal object of faith in monotheism Comics, film and television ...

'' (1929) - Housekeeper * ''

Betrayal Betrayal is the breaking or violation of a presumptive contract, trust, or confidence that produces moral and psychological conflict within a relationship amongst individuals, between organizations or between individuals and organizations. ...

'' (1929) - Andre's Mother * ''

Broadway Babies ''Broadway Babies'', aka ''Broadway Daddies'' (UK) and ''Ragazze d'America'' (Italy), is a 1929 all-talking Pre-Code black and white American musical film produced and distributed by First National Pictures, a subsidiary of Warner Brothers. The ...

'' (1929) - Durgan * ''

The Bishop Murder Case ''The Bishop Murder Case'' (1928) is the fourth in a series of mystery novels by S. S. Van Dine about fictional detective Philo Vance. The detective solves a mystery built around a nursery rhyme. ''The Bishop Murder Case'' is believed to be the f ...

'' (1929) - Grete Menzel * '' Hello Sister'' (1930) - Martha Peddie * ''

All Quiet on the Western Front ''All Quiet on the Western Front'' (german: Im Westen nichts Neues, lit=Nothing New in the West) is a novel by Erich Maria Remarque, a German veteran of World War I. The book describes the German soldiers' extreme physical and mental trauma ...

'' (1930) - Mother of hospital patient (uncredited) * ''

A Lady's Morals ''A Lady's Morals'' is a 1930 American pre-Code film offering a highly fictionalized account of opera singer Jenny Lind. The movie features Grace Moore as Lind, Reginald Denny as a lover, and Wallace Beery as P. T. Barnum. The film contains some ...

'' (1930) - Innkeeper's Wife * '' Oh, For a Man!'' (1930) - Masseuse (uncredited) * ''

Part Time Wife ''Part Time Wife'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Leo McCarey and written by Howard J. Green, Leo McCarey and Raymond L. Schrock. The film stars Edmund Lowe, Leila Hyams, Tommy Clifford, Walter McGrail, Louis Payne and Sam ...

'' (1930) - Martha - the Cook * ''

Three Who Loved ''Three Who Loved'' is a 1931 American Pre-Code drama film directed by George Archainbaud from a screenplay by Beulah Marie Dix based on a story by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Martin Flavin. The film revolves around a love triangle (Betty Comps ...

'' (1931) - Mrs. 'Aunt Anna' Larson * ''

Surrender Surrender may refer to: * Surrender (law), the early relinquishment of a tenancy * Surrender (military), the relinquishment of territory, combatants, facilities, or armaments to another power Film and television * ''Surrender'' (1927 film), an ...

'' (1931) - Domenica * '' The Miracle Man'' (1932) - Townswoman (uncredited) * '' Grand Hotel'' (1932) - Nurse Helping Old Lady Into Elevator (uncredited) * '' Downstairs'' (1932) - Sophie - the Cook * ''

Six Hours to Live ''Six Hours to Live'' is a 1932 American pre-Code science fiction drama film directed by William Dieterle and starring Warner Baxter, Miriam Jordan and John Boles.Solomon p.336 Cast * Warner Baxter as Capt. Paul Onslow * Miriam Jordan as Ba ...

'' (1932) - Greta (uncredited) * ''

The Match King ''The Match King'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code drama film made by First National Pictures, directed by William Keighley and Howard Bretherton. The film starred Warren William and Lili Damita, and follows the rise and fall of Swedish safety matc ...

'' (1932) - Frau Necher (uncredited) * ''

Hallelujah, I'm a Bum "Hallelujah, I'm a Bum" (Roud 7992) is an American folk song, that responds with humorous sarcasm to unhelpful moralizing about the circumstance of being a hobo. "Hallelujah! I'm A Bum" Was the Marching Song of the IWW. (Harry McClintock song ...

'' (1933) - Matron (uncredited) * '' The Crime of the Century'' (1933) - Hilda Ericson - Maid * ''

Reunion in Vienna ''Reunion in Vienna'' is a 1933 American pre-Code romantic drama produced and distributed by MGM. Sidney Franklin served as director. The film stars John Barrymore in a story taken from the 1931 stage play of the same name by Robert Emmet Sherw ...

'' (1933) - Kathie - the Krug Family Maid * '' Ex-Lady'' (1933) - Mrs. Bauer - Helen's Mother * '' Queen Christina'' (1933) - Innkeeper's Wife (uncredited) * '' Hello, Sister'' (1933) * ''

Mandalay Mandalay ( or ; ) is the second-largest city in Myanmar, after Yangon. Located on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, 631km (392 miles) (Road Distance) north of Yangon, the city has a population of 1,225,553 (2014 census). Mandalay was fou ...

'' (1934) - Mrs. Kleinschmidt * ''

All Men Are Enemies ''All Men Are Enemies'' is a 1934 American pre-Code drama film directed by George Fitzmaurice and written by Lenore J. Coffee. The film stars Helen Twelvetrees, Mona Barrie, Hugh Williams, Herbert Mundin, Henry Stephenson and Walter Byron. T ...

'' (1934) - Landlady (uncredited) * '' Little Man, What Now?'' (1934) - Frau Kleinholz * ''

Such Women Are Dangerous ''Such Women Are Dangerous'' is a 1934 American drama film directed by James Flood, written by Oscar M. Sheridan, Jane Storm and Lenore Coffee, and starring Warner Baxter, Rosemary Ames, Rochelle Hudson, Mona Barrie, Herbert Mundin and Henriett ...

'' (1934) - Helma * ''

King Kelly of the U.S.A. ''King Kelly of the U.S.A.'' is a 1934 American romantic musical film directed by Leonard Fields. The film stars then popular singer Guy Robertson in his only feature film appearance.https://earlysoundguy.com/2018/07/22/where-did-you-go-guy-robe ...

'' (1934) - Sylvia, Tania's Chaperone * ''

Crimson Romance ''Crimson Romance'' is a 1934 American drama film directed by David Howard and written by Milton Krims and Doris Schroeder. The film stars Ben Lyon, Sari Maritza, Erich von Stroheim, James Bush, William Bakewell and Hardie Albright. The low-bu ...

'' (1934) - Mama von Bergen * '' The Painted Veil'' (1934) - Frau Koerber * ''

A Night at the Ritz ''A Night at the Ritz'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by William C. McGann and starring William Gargan, Patricia Ellis and Allen Jenkins.Gledhill p.36 The art direction was by Esdras Hartley. The film is of interest because the storylin ...

'' (1935) - Mama Jaynos * '' Roberta'' (1935) - Fernande * '' Four Hours to Kill!'' (1935) - Ma * '' Let 'Em Have It'' (1935) - Mrs. Keefer * ''

Thunder in the Night ''Thunder in the Night'' is a 1935 American crime film directed by George Archainbaud and written by Frances Hyland and Eugene Solow. It is based on the 1934 play ''A Woman Lies'' by Ladislas Fodor. The film stars Edmund Lowe, Karen Morley, Pau ...

'' (1935) - Lisa * '' Peter Ibbetson'' (1935) - Minor Role (scenes deleted) * '' Hearts in Bondage'' (1936) - Mrs. Adams * ''

Libeled Lady ''Libeled Lady'' is a 1936 screwball comedy film starring Jean Harlow, William Powell, Myrna Loy, and Spencer Tracy, written by George Oppenheimer, Howard Emmett Rogers, Wallace Sullivan, and Maurine Dallas Watkins, and directed by Jack Conway ...

'' (1936) - Wife of the Justice of the Peace (uncredited) * '' Rose Bowl'' (1936) - Mrs. Schultz (uncredited) * '' The Plot Thickens'' (1936) - Theresa the Cook (uncredited) * '' Thin Ice'' (1937) - Otto's Wife (uncredited) * '' Michael O'Halloran'' (1937) - Mrs. Polska * ''

Heidi ''Heidi'' (; ) is a work of children's fiction published in 1881 by Swiss author Johanna Spyri, originally published in two parts as ''Heidi: Her Years of Wandering and Learning'' (german: Heidis Lehr- und Wanderjahre) and ''Heidi: How She Use ...

'' (1937) - First Village Woman (uncredited) * ''

Breakfast for Two ''Breakfast for Two'' is a 1937 American screwball comedy film made by RKO Radio Pictures. It was directed by Alfred Santell. The film stars Barbara Stanwyck, Herbert Marshall and Glenda Farrell. Stanwyck and Marshall worked together once more, ...

'' (1937) - Nanny - Blair's Household Staff (uncredited) * ''

Conquest Conquest is the act of military subjugation of an enemy by force of arms. Military history provides many examples of conquest: the Roman conquest of Britain, the Mauryan conquest of Afghanistan and of vast areas of the Indian subcontinent, ...

'' (1937) - Anna - Servant (uncredited) * ''

The First Hundred Years ''The First Hundred Years'' is the first ongoing TV soap opera in the United States that began as a daytime serial, airing on CBS from December 4, 1950 until June 27, 1952. A previous daytime drama on NBC, '' These Are My Children'', aired in 19 ...

'' (1938) - Martha * '' You Can't Take It with You'' (1938) - Mrs. Schmidt * '' The Great Waltz'' (1938) - Innkeeper's Wife (uncredited) * '' Hotel Imperial'' (1939) - Ratty Old Woman (uncredited) * '' Confessions of a Nazi Spy'' (1939) - Passenger on Boat * '' The Star Maker'' (1939) - Mrs. Swanson * ''

Nurse Edith Cavell ''Nurse Edith Cavell'' is a 1939 American film directed by British director Herbert Wilcox about Edith Cavell. The film was nominated at the 1939 Oscars for Best Original Score. Plot The story follows the broadly true story of Edith Cavell w ...

'' (1939) - Charlotte * '' Hitler – Beast of Berlin'' (1939) - Frau Kohler * '' Florian'' (1940) - Anna - Diana's Maid (uncredited) * ''

Four Sons ''Four Sons'' is a 1928 American silent drama film directed and produced by John Ford and written for the screen by Philip Klein from a story by I. A. R. Wylie first published in the ''Saturday Evening Post'' as "Grandmother Bernle Learns Her ...

'' (1940) - Townswoman (uncredited) * '' The Mortal Storm'' (1940) - Old Woman on Train (uncredited) * ''

Reaching for the Sun ''Reaching for the Sun'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by William A. Wellman and written by W.L. River. The film stars Joel McCrea, Ellen Drew, Eddie Bracken, Albert Dekker, Billy Gilbert, George Chandler and Bodil Ann Rosing. The f ...

'' (1941) - Rita's Mother * ''

They Dare Not Love ''They Dare Not Love'' is a 1941 romantic war drama film directed by James Whale and starring George Brent, Martha Scott and Paul Lukas. Whale left the picture before the end of production; it was the last film released to credit him as directo ...

'' (1941) - Leni (uncredited) * ''No Greater Sin'' (1941) - 'Ma' James * ''

Man at Large ''Man at Large'' is a 1941 American mystery film directed by Eugene Forde and written by John Larkin. The film stars Marjorie Weaver, George Reeves, Richard Derr, Steven Geray, Milton Parsons and Spencer Charters. The film was released on Sept ...

'' (1941) - Klara, Botany's Housekeeper * '' Marry the Boss's Daughter'' (1941) - Mrs. Polgar (final film role)

References

External links

*
portrait of Bodil Rosing
NY Public Library, Billy Rose Collection) * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Rosing, Bodil 1877 births 1941 deaths American film actresses Actresses from Copenhagen Danish emigrants to the United States 20th-century American actresses American silent film actresses Danish stage actresses 20th-century Danish actresses Danish American Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)