Lily Bouwmeester
Encyclopedia
Lily Geertruida Maria Henriëtte Bouwmeester (September 28, 1901 – July 12, 1993) was a Dutch
theater and film actress, who was crowned with a Golden Calf
for being "the best actress in Pre-War Dutch cinema".
.
In 1916, Bouwmeester started acting in silent films as well. She debuted in the film Majoor Frans
(1916), which starred Annie Bos
. In 1917, she landed a contract with a prestigious theatre in Amsterdam and performed at the Stadsschouwburg
. She was praised by theatre critics and gained more acting experience. While working on a play in 1920, she met actor Theo Frenkel Jr., whom she married to in 1921. She left the Stadsschouwburg to produce her own plays with her husband. They moved to the Hague
in 1923 and performed in Rotterdam
, where she became more famous.
Through the years, Bouwmeester developed in theatre and decided she was on her best at comedic roles. She and her husband divorced in 1933. Two years later, she married Cor van der Lugt Melsert, with whom she moved to Rotterdam. He had the desire of her becoming a housewife. Bouwmeester, needing a break from acting, did what she was asked to and left the theatre. However, she didn't give up acting. In 1935, when the sound film
had just been introduced in the Netherlands, she auditioned for the lead role in The Cross-Patch
(1935), but had no luck. However, she was noticed by director Ludwig Berger
, who cast her in Pygmalion
(1937). It would be her first film since 1921.
Pygmalion grew out the be the most successful Dutch Pre-War film. She became an instant star and was offered a five year contract with Paramount Pictures
. She declined, however, because her husband was unwilling to travel to the United States with her. Instead, she remained acting in the biggest movie productions of the 1930s. Her following films all became box office hits, with only one exception. Despite nearing the age of 40, she usually played teen girls or young women. In 1940, her career ended abruptly, when World War II broke out.
During World War II, Bouwmeester secretly took in two Jewish children in her home. After the liberation in 1945, she was offered movie roles again, but declined all offers. She decided to return to theatre instead and played in the famous stage production of Pygmalion. She was also remembered for playing the lead role in the play Het Hemelbed in 1952. In 1969, she resigned from acting completely. After the death of her husband in 1990, she moved to Sliedrecht, where she spent the rest of her life in complete loneliness. She died in 1993, at the age of 92. She was cremated in the Hague.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
theater and film actress, who was crowned with a Golden Calf
Golden Calf (award)
The Golden Calf is the award of the Netherlands Film Festival, which is held annually in Utrecht. The award has been presented since 1981, originally in six categories: Best actor, Best actress, Best film, Best Short film, Culture Prize and Honourable mention...
for being "the best actress in Pre-War Dutch cinema".
Biography
The daughter of violinist Ludovicus Adolphus Bouwmeester and pianist Julie Marie Arpeau, Lily Bouwmeester was born in Amsterdam. As a child, she toured with her parents through Europe, while preparing to become a violinist as well. The touring proved to be too exhausting for Bouwmeester, so she moved in with her aunt in 1913, the actress Theo Mann-Bouwmeester. She dreamed to become a dancer, but her aunt demanded for her to become an actress and sent her to several auditions. At the age of 14, she debuted in a theatre prodcuction of Herman HeijermansHerman Heijermans
Herman Heijermans , was a Dutch writer.Heijermans grew up in a liberal Jewish family as the fifth of 11 children of Herman Heijermans Sr. and Matilda Moses Spiers...
.
In 1916, Bouwmeester started acting in silent films as well. She debuted in the film Majoor Frans
Majoor Frans
Majoor Frans is a 1916 Dutch silent drama film directed by Maurits Binger.-Plot:Wealthy John von Zwenken lives with his daughter and son-in-law in a castle named De Werve. One day, he returns from hunting and is informed that a new child has been welcomed in the family...
(1916), which starred Annie Bos
Annie Bos
Johanna "Annie" Bos was a Dutch theater and silent film actress, known as Holland's first movie star and diva....
. In 1917, she landed a contract with a prestigious theatre in Amsterdam and performed at the Stadsschouwburg
Stadsschouwburg (Amsterdam)
The Stadsschouwburg of Amsterdam is the name of a theatre building at the Leidseplein in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The building is in the neo-Renaissance style dating back to 1894, and is the former home of the National Ballet and Opera.-The Rederijkerskamers:The first rederijkers appeared at...
. She was praised by theatre critics and gained more acting experience. While working on a play in 1920, she met actor Theo Frenkel Jr., whom she married to in 1921. She left the Stadsschouwburg to produce her own plays with her husband. They moved to the Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
in 1923 and performed in Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, where she became more famous.
Through the years, Bouwmeester developed in theatre and decided she was on her best at comedic roles. She and her husband divorced in 1933. Two years later, she married Cor van der Lugt Melsert, with whom she moved to Rotterdam. He had the desire of her becoming a housewife. Bouwmeester, needing a break from acting, did what she was asked to and left the theatre. However, she didn't give up acting. In 1935, when the sound film
Sound film
A sound film is a motion picture with synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image, as opposed to a silent film. The first known public exhibition of projected sound films took place in Paris in 1900, but decades would pass before sound motion pictures were made commercially...
had just been introduced in the Netherlands, she auditioned for the lead role in The Cross-Patch
The Cross-Patch
The Cross-Patch or De Kribbebijter is a 1935 Dutch film directed by Henry Koster and Ernst Winar.-Cast:*Cor Ruys ... Baron de Kribbebijter*Philip Dorn ... Willy *Dolly Mollinger ... Loes...
(1935), but had no luck. However, she was noticed by director Ludwig Berger
Ludwig Berger (director)
Ludwig Berger was a German film director, screenwriter and cinematographer. He directed 36 films between 1920 and 1969...
, who cast her in Pygmalion
Pygmalion (1937 film)
Pygmalion is a 1937 Dutch film directed by Ludwig Berger.-Plot:The film is set in Amsterdam. Elisa "Lisa" is a poor Doeluttel but brutal flower seller from the lower class, with a flat Amsterdam accent. Professor Higgins, a linguist and speech teacher, was shocked by her manner and speech...
(1937). It would be her first film since 1921.
Pygmalion grew out the be the most successful Dutch Pre-War film. She became an instant star and was offered a five year contract with Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
. She declined, however, because her husband was unwilling to travel to the United States with her. Instead, she remained acting in the biggest movie productions of the 1930s. Her following films all became box office hits, with only one exception. Despite nearing the age of 40, she usually played teen girls or young women. In 1940, her career ended abruptly, when World War II broke out.
During World War II, Bouwmeester secretly took in two Jewish children in her home. After the liberation in 1945, she was offered movie roles again, but declined all offers. She decided to return to theatre instead and played in the famous stage production of Pygmalion. She was also remembered for playing the lead role in the play Het Hemelbed in 1952. In 1969, she resigned from acting completely. After the death of her husband in 1990, she moved to Sliedrecht, where she spent the rest of her life in complete loneliness. She died in 1993, at the age of 92. She was cremated in the Hague.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1916 | Majoor Frans Majoor Frans Majoor Frans is a 1916 Dutch silent drama film directed by Maurits Binger.-Plot:Wealthy John von Zwenken lives with his daughter and son-in-law in a castle named De Werve. One day, he returns from hunting and is informed that a new child has been welcomed in the family... |
Young Francis | |
| 1917 | Het geheim van Delft Het geheim van Delft Het geheim van Delft is a 1917 Dutch silent drama film directed by Maurits Binger.-Cast:* Annie Bos - Annie Vogel* Lily Bouwmeester - Lilly Vogel* Jan van Dommelen - Jan Vogel* Willem van der Veer - Willem Berg* Louis H. Chrispijn - Van Haaften... |
Lilly Vogel | |
| Ulbo Garvema Ulbo Garvema Ulbo Garvema is a 1917 Dutch silent film directed by Maurits Binger.-Cast:* Frederick Vogeding - Baron van Walden / Alfred* Cor Smits - Jan van Oort* Annie Bos - Jan van Oort's dochter / Jonge Anna* Jan van Dommelen - Hendrik... |
Anna as a kid | ||
| 1918 | Pro domo Pro domo Pro domo is a 1918 Dutch silent drama film directed by Theo Frenkel.-Cast:* Louis Bouwmeester - Graaf Louis de Prébois Grancé* Theo Mann-Bouwmeester - Graaf Louis de Prébois Grancé's wife* Henriette Blazer - Danseres* Lily Bouwmeester - Hun daughter... |
Their daughter | |
| 1919 | The Devil in Amsterdam The Devil in Amsterdam The Devil in Amsterdam is a 1919 Dutch silent film directed by Theo Frenkel.-Cast:* Eduard Verkade - De Duivel* Louis Bouwmeester - Van Rijn* Margie Morris - Thérèse* Annie Wesling - Huisvriendin van Van Rijn* Jacques Reule - Schilder... |
Sick sister of Thérèse | |
| Het goudvischje Het goudvischje Het goudvischje is a 1919 Dutch silent drama film directed by Maurits Binger.-Cast:* Annie Bos - Greta Rikkers* Jeanne Van der Pers - Het Goudvischje* Lily Bouwmeester - Greta's zuster* Paula de Waart - Mevrouw Koorders... |
Greta's sister | ||
| 1920 | Aan boord van de 'Sabina' Aan boord van de 'Sabina' Aan boord van de 'Sabina' is a 1920 Dutch silent film directed by Theo Frenkel.-Cast:* Frits Bouwmeester* Lily Bouwmeester* Frits Engels* Dio Huysmans* Kees Lageman... |
||
| Helleveeg Helleveeg Helleveeg is a 1920 Dutch silent film directed by Theo Frenkel.-Cast:* Mien Duymaer Van Twist - Jane, de Helleveeg* Co Balfoort - Willem Hendriks* Lily Bouwmeester - Louise* Frits Fuchs - Willems broer... |
Louise | ||
| 1921 | Sheer Bluff Sheer Bluff Sheer Bluff is a 1921 British-Dutch silent drama film directed by Frank Richardson.-Cast:* Henry Victor - Maurice Hardacre* Maudie Dunham - Esther* Percy Standing - Jasper Hardacre* Nico De Jong - Stokes* Lily Bouwmeester - Marion Deslisle... |
Marion Deslisle | Dutch-English film |
| 1937 | Pygmalion | Elisa 'Liesje' Doeluttel | |
| 1938 | Forty Years | Annetje Maasdonk | |
| Vadertje Langbeen | Judy Aalders | ||
| 1939 | Tomorrow It Will Be Better | Wilhelmina 'Willy' Verhulst | |
| 1940 | Ergens in Nederland | Nellie van Loon | |