Details Personal Papers and Company Archives
Search
![Bild von](/adawrap-assets/channel/54399/asset/N172_02_web.jpg?width=1920&height=1920)
Emil Jannings
actor, producer
* 23.07.1884
† 02.01.1950
The theatre actor also began working in film in 1914. He made his mark through physical characterizations, for instance, in the role of the hotel porter in F. W. Murnau’s ‘Der letzte Mann’ (1924). Paramount Pictures brought him to Hollywood in autumn 1926, but Jannings returned to Germany in 1929 at the beginning of the sound film era. Initially, he intensified his theatre work before his contributions to National Socialist films renewed his star status. After the Second World War, the Allies banned Jannings from ever working again in his profession because of his sometimes decisive involvement in Nazi propaganda films.
About the Estate
Finding Aid (PDF)The collection holdings came into the Deutsche Kinemathek in several consignments starting in 1984, initiated by the actor’s nephew, the audio play director Jörg Jannings. An absolute crown jewel among the inventory is the first Oscar (Academy Award) ever awarded to an actor, which Emil Jannings received in 1929. It has been on view in its own display case since the opening of the Museum für Film und Fernsehen in 2000. The estate comprises around 800 photos and numerous press clippings with handwritten notes and German translations of American press texts about Jannings’ acting skills.
An exchange of letters between Jannings and family members can be found. In addition, there is correspondence with Carl Zuckmayer, Hans Fallada and Kurt Tucholsky, who gave Emil Jannings and his fourth wife Gussy Holl a guestbook in 1923. It was acquired by the Förderkreis des Museums für Film und Fernsehen (the museum’s support association) in 2007. Jannings took the book with him from Berlin to Rome during the shoot of the monumental film ‘Quo Vadis’, then to Hollywood and back to Europe. The captains of the steamships on which Jannings sailed across the Atlantic immortalized themselves in its pages, as did numerous Hollywood actors, who in turn gave Emil Jannings’ daughter Ruth Maria (b. 1920) signed studio photographs. Sixty of these large-format autographs can be found in Jannings’ estate. The collection also includes a death mask produced by Austrian sculptor Hans Pacher. (Text: Vera Thomas)
- Content
- Film, Photography, Small object, Literature, Paper documents
- Description
- Approximate 0.65 Shelf metres
- Inv. No.
- 198405
- Credit Line
- Emil-Jannings-Archiv, Deutsche Kinemathek
Verwandte Personenarchive
-
Emil Jannings
1884–1950
Photography, Small object
-
Viktor Eisenbach
1898–1964
Photography, Paper documents
-
Rudi Feld
1896–1994
Film, Photography, Hand drawing, Small object, Paper documents
-
Gero Gandert
1929–2019
Script, Print, Photography, Hand drawing, Small object, Literature, Sheet of music, Paper documents
-
Frederick Kohner
1905–1986
Script, Photography, Paper documents
-
Inc. Paul Kohner
* 1930
Script, Photography, Paper documents
Archive Preview -
Kurt Kreuger
1916–2006
Photography, Paper documents
-
F. W. Murnau
1888–1931
Script, Print, Photography, Literature, Paper documents, Textile
-
Lena Norman
1912–1982
Photography, Paper documents
-
Erich Pommer
1889–1966
Script, Photography, Small object, Paper documents, Sound recording
-
Günther Rittau
1893–1971
Photography, Sheet of music, Paper documents
-
Guido Seeber
1879–1940
Script, Print, Film, Photography, Small object, Literature, Paper documents
-
Hedwig Traub
1910–1996
Photography, Paper documents
-
Heinz Rühmann
1902–1994
Analog video, Script, Print, Photography, Hand drawing, Small object, Literature, Sheet of music, Paper documents, Textile, Sound recording
Archive Preview
More
-
Visit the Archive
More informationYou can use our collections for scholarly work, curatorial and publication research, or personal interest at no cost. Please get in touch with us in advance to schedule your visit. We look forward to welcoming you to our reading room.
-
Get in touch
- for research
- for image use
- to schedule a visit to our reading room
- for all other questions, suggestions, and requests
Christiane Grün
+49 30 300903-45
cgruen@deutsche-kinemathek.deGunnar Gutschmidt
+49 30 300903-45
ggutschmidt@deutsche-kinemathek.de