At first, Ruth was Leuweriks film career under an unlucky star. Not photogenic enough, it said. A mistake, as the actress made it clear soon. With strong female roles she was a glamorous movie star of the 1950s. Now Leuwerik died in Munich
For the audiences of the post-war years and economic miracle Ruth Leuwerik was the epitome of “ideal woman”: Self-confident, independent and full of warmth were the characters with whom she was seen on the big screen. “The Trapp Family” with her as an aspiring nun who cares for the children of a noble widower and fascinated with singing, was a huge success, as well as films such as “Your Royal Highness” or “Queen Louise” reaped much praise.
With strong female roles, the film and theater actress in the ’50s became the model of a generation. On Tuesday is Leuwerik who lived in Munich, died at the age of 91 years
“The ideal woman” was the title of a film from 1959, acted as mayor in the Leuwerik -. For that time quite unusual. Even as a photo model, businesswoman, doctor, opera singer, photojournalist or a teacher, she stood in front of the camera.
In her many roles as a professionally successful woman she was less the passionate lover, but rather a loyal comrade who supported her film Men without challenge. And despite all the love remained independent and not mutated to the pretty, obedient appendage of a man.
“The women make up the majority of the movie audience. And these women can get away with the problems that I have on the screen, identify, “the actress said in 1962 at the height of their success. A femme fatale on the other hand she was not wanted and they did not have, as it was once known itself.
Born Leuwerik on 23 April 1924 in Essen, the daughter of a businessman. During World War II she was conscripted as Fräserin. She then worked as a stenographer. Even then, they provoked the spectacle. She took private lessons and received her first engagement in 1947.
About Bremen and Lübeck was it in 1949 to the German Schauspielhaus in Hamburg, where she remained until 1953. Particular success she had in Jean Anouilh’s “Eurydice”, they also in 1955 at the Düsseldorf Schauspielhaus embodied. Also known as Gretchen in Goethe’s “Faust” they got applause
1950 launched Leuwerik her film career -. At “13 under a hat”
A turbulent comedy, but not for Leuwerik.. “I played under twelve comedians the 13 – Non-comedienne,” she said later in a television interview. After that came only once no further deals, much to the amazement of the actress. After some time, they have, however, noticed what was said in the film industry about it: “The little one is indeed gifted, but she is absolutely unphotogenic.”
Really? Thomas Mann was from her acting skills as well done as of their appearance – and praised her as a “woman of considerable respectability”. Even the person in charge in the film industry dawned soon that Leuwerik had much to offer.
1953 succeeded the attractive Endzwanzigerin the breakthrough that they had yet equal to four productions, including “Royal Highness” based on a novel by Thomas Mann.
With Dieter Borsche she made the film dream couple of those days, in addition, for example, Maria Schell and OW Fischer or Romy Schneider and Karlheinz Böhm from the “Sissi” films. Hardly an actress was so often seen on the front pages of magazines like Ruth Leuwerik
Only a few decades lasted her film career, in about 30 strips she played with:.. Comedies, melodramas and literary adaptations
In 1955 she gave the Effi Briest in the drama “Rosen im Herbst” by Theodor Fontane’s novel. It comes within the ranks of famous Effi actresses as well as Marianne Hoppe, Hanna Schygulla or Angelica Domröse.
She also got some awards, including several Bambis and the German Film Prize for “Life, Above All”. For her role as a doctor in “Taiga” She was also honored at the Film Festival in San Francisco Best Actress.
For her 80th birthday in 2004, presented her with the then Lord Mayor of Munich, Christian Ude (SPD), the Medal “Munich shines”. He took her performance as follows: “. Defeated all” “She has a” bridge to the heart
Leuwerik but was interested in not just for the bright side of the film, but also for broken characters, for the dark side of figures. But a change of image you no longer managed in the film. In the 60s drew Ruth Leuwerik back more and more.
They looked in some productions. Even on television, such as in the crime series “Derrick” and in 1979 as Consul in the series “The Buddenbrooks” by Thomas Mann, she appeared. But the “New German Cinema” could start with the star of the 50s little – and perhaps vice versa
Three times Leuwerik was married: the actor Herbert Fleischmann, the singer Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and with a.
doctor. She loved books and antiques. Most recently, she lived in retirement in Munich. Even on her 90th birthday in 2014, she had not planned any major celebration. Instead, they commented on the special day with amazement: “In the old age, it is a miracle that I’m still here.”
No comments:
Post a Comment