Paul Müller (actor)
Encyclopedia
Paul Konrad Muller is a Swiss
character actor
. Notice: In fact his real name is "Muller" not "Müller". It seems that it is not possible to change the false written name in the headline of this article.
. Until 1944 he had different engagements at theatres in Paris, e. g. “Theatre Pigalle”, “Salle Pleyel”, “Theatre des Ambassadeurs”.
From 1944 to 1946 he was called up for military service in the French Army
in Indochina shortly before the First Indochina War
took place there. He caught malaria
during that time and, in consequence of the disease, was left hard of hearing.
From 1947 to 1948 he had different engagements at theatres and touring companies not only in France
, but also in the French part of Allied-occupied Germany and in Florence
, e. g. “Tournée Spectacles Moyses”, Teatro della Pergola
. He acted, inter alia, under the direction of Georges Douking
.
, his main country of residence.
He worked over more than 60 years with most of the well-known European actresses and actors of classic cinema and with some famous names of the Cinema of Italy
like Roberto Rossellini
, Carlo Ponti
, Federico Fellini
, Mario Bava
, Sergio Corbucci
, Michelangelo Antonioni
. He also made his appearance in films under the direction of Veit Harlan
, Artur Brauner
, Jesús "Jess" Franco
, René Clement, Michael Curtiz
, Richard Fleischer
, Jean-Pierre Mocky
and many others.
Today he lives withdrawn near Rome.
Anolis published a Collector`s Edition of Mario Bava`s and Ricardo Freda`s masterpiece I Vampiri (Der Vampir von Notre-Dame) on a 2-DVD-Set. That item includes, inter alia, three different versions of the first Italian horror movie of the sound era and an exclusive interview with actor Paul Müller about his career (“C`est la Vie – Paul Muller erzählt”). It is the only on-screen interview appearance of him existing so far. The DVD
is especially dedicated to Muller and his remarkable work within the European film industry.
, *Memorias del tío Jess (2004) (autobiography, in Spanish)
Lucas Balbo, Peter Blumenstock, Christian Kessler, Tim Lucas
, *Obsession - The Films of Jess Franco (1993)
Benedikt Eppenberger, Daniel Stapfer *Maedchen, Machos und Moneten: Die unglaubliche Geschichte des Schweizer Kinounternehmers Erwin C. Dietrich. Mit einem Vorwort von Jess Franco. Verlag Scharfe Stiefel, Zurich, 2006, ISBN 3-033-00960-3
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
character actor
Character actor
A character actor is one who predominantly plays unusual or eccentric characters. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a character actor as "an actor who specializes in character parts", defining character part in turn as "an acting role displaying pronounced or unusual characteristics or...
. Notice: In fact his real name is "Muller" not "Müller". It seems that it is not possible to change the false written name in the headline of this article.
Theatre
In 1941/1942 he studied acting at the “Conservatoire National Supérieur d`Art Dramatique” in ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. Until 1944 he had different engagements at theatres in Paris, e. g. “Theatre Pigalle”, “Salle Pleyel”, “Theatre des Ambassadeurs”.
From 1944 to 1946 he was called up for military service in the French Army
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
in Indochina shortly before the First Indochina War
First Indochina War
The First Indochina War was fought in French Indochina from December 19, 1946, until August 1, 1954, between the French Union's French Far East...
took place there. He caught malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
during that time and, in consequence of the disease, was left hard of hearing.
From 1947 to 1948 he had different engagements at theatres and touring companies not only in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, but also in the French part of Allied-occupied Germany and in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, e. g. “Tournée Spectacles Moyses”, Teatro della Pergola
Teatro della Pergola
The Teatro della Pergola is a historic opera house in Florence, Italy. It is located in the centre of the city on the Via della Pergola, from which the theatre takes its name...
. He acted, inter alia, under the direction of Georges Douking
Georges Douking
Georges Douking was a French stage, film, and television actor. He also directed stage plays such as the premier presentation of Jean Giraudoux's Sodom and Gomorrah at the Théâtre Hébertot in 1943. He is perhaps best known for his role in the surreal 1972 comedy The Discreet Charm of the...
.
Film
Paul Muller appeared in over 230 films since his first role in 1948. He spent most of his life by working in ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, his main country of residence.
He worked over more than 60 years with most of the well-known European actresses and actors of classic cinema and with some famous names of the Cinema of Italy
Cinema of Italy
The history of Italian cinema began just a few months after the Lumière brothers had patented their Cinematographe, when Pope Leo XIII was filmed for a few seconds in the act of blessing the camera.-Early years:...
like Roberto Rossellini
Roberto Rossellini
Roberto Rossellini was an Italian film director and screenwriter. Rossellini was one of the directors of the Italian neorealist cinema, contributing films such as Roma città aperta to the movement.-Early life:Born in Rome, Roberto Rossellini lived on the Via Ludovisi, where Benito Mussolini had...
, Carlo Ponti
Carlo Ponti
Carlo Ponti was an Italian film producer with over 140 production credits, and the husband of Italian movie star Sophia Loren.-Career:...
, Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI , was an Italian film director and scriptwriter. Known for a distinct style that blends fantasy and baroque images, he is considered one of the most influential and widely revered filmmakers of the 20th century...
, Mario Bava
Mario Bava
Mario Bava was an Italian director, screenwriter, and cinematographer remembered as one of the greatest names from the "golden age" of Italian horror films.-Biography:Mario Bava was born in San Remo, Liguria, Italy...
, Sergio Corbucci
Sergio Corbucci
Sergio Corbucci was an Italian film director. He is best known for his very violent yet intelligent spaghetti westerns...
, Michelangelo Antonioni
Michelangelo Antonioni
Michelangelo Antonioni, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI was an Italian modernist film director, screenwriter, editor and short story writer.- Personal life :...
. He also made his appearance in films under the direction of Veit Harlan
Veit Harlan
Veit Harlan was a German film director and actor.-Life and career:Harlan was born in Berlin. After studying under Max Reinhardt, he first appeared on the stage in 1915 and, after World War I, worked in the Berlin stage. In 1922 he married Jewish actress and cabaret singer Dora Gerson; the couple...
, Artur Brauner
Artur Brauner
Artur "Atze" Brauner is a polish film producer and entrepreneur. He was born to a Jewish family in Łódź, Poland. Artur and his brother Wolf survived the Holocaust by fleeing to the Soviet Union, then emigrated to Berlin after the war. As a young man he saw Fritz Lang's film The Testament of Dr...
, Jesús "Jess" Franco
Jesús Franco
Jesús "Jess" Franco is a Spanish film director, writer, cinematographer and actor. His career took off in 1961 with his cult classic The Awful Dr. Orloff, which received wide distribution in the United States and England...
, René Clement, Michael Curtiz
Michael Curtiz
Michael Curtiz was an Academy award winning Hungarian-American film director. He had early creditsas Mihály Kertész and Michael Kertész...
, Richard Fleischer
Richard Fleischer
-Early life:Fleischer was born in Brooklyn, the son of Essie and animator/producer Max Fleischer. He started in motion pictures as director of animated shorts produced by his father including entries in the Betty Boop, Popeye and Superman series.His live-action film career began in 1942 at the RKO...
, Jean-Pierre Mocky
Jean-Pierre Mocky
Jean-Pierre Mocky is the pseudonym of Jean-Paul Adam Mokiejewski, a French film director, actor, screenwriter and producer...
and many others.
Today he lives withdrawn near Rome.
Selected filmography
- FabiolaFabiolaFabiola is a female name of Latin/Roman origin meaning "girl in the meadows".Fabiola is pronounced fah-bee-OH-lah. Feminine variant of Fabian, from the Roman family clan name Fabius. Saint Fabiola was an energetic Roman matron who organized the first hospice for sick and needy travelers...
(1948, director: Alessandro BlasettiAlessandro BlasettiAlessandro Blasetti was an Italian film director who influenced Italian neorealism with the film Quattro passi fra le nuvole...
) - Two Nights with CleopatraTwo Nights with CleopatraTwo Nights with Cleopatra is a 1953 comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Sophia Loren.-Cast:* Sophia Loren - Cleopatra / Nisca* Alberto Sordi - Cesarino* Ettore Manni - Marcantonio* Paul Muller - Tortul...
(1953, director: Mario MattoliMario MattoliMario Mattoli was an Italian film director and screenwriter. He directed 86 films between 1934 and 1966....
) - Journey to ItalyJourney to ItalyJourney to Italy is a 1954 Italian drama film directed by Roberto Rossellini, starring Ingrid Bergman and George Sanders. The film has English dialogue; the Italian version was originally cut...
(1954, director: Roberto RosselliniRoberto RosselliniRoberto Rossellini was an Italian film director and screenwriter. Rossellini was one of the directors of the Italian neorealist cinema, contributing films such as Roma città aperta to the movement.-Early life:Born in Rome, Roberto Rossellini lived on the Via Ludovisi, where Benito Mussolini had...
) - Verrat an Deutschland (1954, director: Veit HarlanVeit HarlanVeit Harlan was a German film director and actor.-Life and career:Harlan was born in Berlin. After studying under Max Reinhardt, he first appeared on the stage in 1915 and, after World War I, worked in the Berlin stage. In 1922 he married Jewish actress and cabaret singer Dora Gerson; the couple...
) - Tam Tam a Mayumba (1954, director: Gian Gaspare NapolitanoGian Gaspare NapolitanoGian Gaspare Napolitano was an Italian journalist, screenwriter and film director.During the 1920s, he wrote for the literary review "900", Cahiers d'Italie et d'Europe. He made ten films between 1935 and 1956...
) - The Adventures of Arsène LupinThe Adventures of Arsène LupinThe Adventures of Arsène Lupin is a 1957 French crime film directed by Jacques Becker. It was entered into the 7th Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Robert Lamoureux as André Larouche / Arsène Lupin / Aldo Parolini...
(1957, director: Jacques BeckerJacques BeckerJacques Becker was a French screenwriter and film director.Becker was born in Paris, in an upper class background. During the 1930s he worked as an assistant to director Jean Renoir during his peak period, which produced such cinematic masterpieces as Grand Illusion and The Rules of the Game...
) - I VampiriI VampiriI Vampiri is a 1956 Italian horror film loosely based on the story of Elizabeth Báthory. Directed by Riccardo Freda and Mario Bava, the film stars Gianna Maria Canale as Giselle du Grand, Carlo D'Angelo as Inspector Chantal and Dario Michaelis as Pierre Lantin.I Vampiri was the first sound era...
(1956, directors: Mario BavaMario BavaMario Bava was an Italian director, screenwriter, and cinematographer remembered as one of the greatest names from the "golden age" of Italian horror films.-Biography:Mario Bava was born in San Remo, Liguria, Italy...
, Riccardo FredaRiccardo FredaRiccardo Freda was an Egyptian-born Italian film director. Best known for his horror and thriller movies, Freda had no great love for the horror films he was assigned, but rather favored the epic sword and sandal pictures...
) - Minotaur, the Wild Beast of CreteMinotaur, the Wild Beast of CreteMinotaur, the Wild Beast of Crete is a 1960 historical drama film loosely based on the Greek legend of Theseus, the Athenian hero who is said to have slain a minotaur on Minoan Crete around 1500 or 1450 BC...
(1960) - The WastrelThe WastrelThe Wastrel is a 1961 Italian-Cypriot drama film directed by Michael Cacoyannis. It was entered into the 1961 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Ellie Lambeti - Mrs...
(1961) - Pontius Pilate (1962 film)
- Attack of the NormansAttack of the NormansAttack of the Normans is a 1962 Italian film set in England in the early 9th century. Viking incursions play a central role in the plot; "Normans" in the title is used in its original continental sense, meaning Viking....
(19621962 in filmThe year 1962 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May - The Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards are officially founded by the Taiwanese government....
) - Kali Yug: Goddess of VengeanceKali Yug: Goddess of VengeanceKali Yug: Goddess of Vengeance is a 1963 Italian fantasy film directed by Mario Camerini and starring Paul Guers.-Cast:* Paul Guers - Dr. Simon Palmer* Senta Berger - Catherine Talbot* Lex Barker - Maj. Ford* Sergio Fantoni - Ram Chand...
(1963) - Venus in FursVenus in Furs (1969 film)Venus in Furs is a 1969 Italian supernatural erotic thriller film directed by Jesús Franco and starring James Darren.The film bears only a superficial resemblance to the 1870 Venus in Furs novel by Leopold von Sacher Masoch...
(1969, director: Jesús FrancoJesús FrancoJesús "Jess" Franco is a Spanish film director, writer, cinematographer and actor. His career took off in 1961 with his cult classic The Awful Dr. Orloff, which received wide distribution in the United States and England...
) - How Did a Nice Girl Like You Get Into This Business?How Did a Nice Girl Like You Get Into This Business?How Did a Nice Girl Like You Get Into This Business? is a 1970 German comedy film directed by Will Tremper and starring Barbi Benton.-Cast:* Barbi Benton - Lynn Keefe * Christian Anders* Jeff Cooper - Bob Greene...
(1970) - Count Dracula (1970, director: Jesús FrancoJesús FrancoJesús "Jess" Franco is a Spanish film director, writer, cinematographer and actor. His career took off in 1961 with his cult classic The Awful Dr. Orloff, which received wide distribution in the United States and England...
) - Eugenie De Sade (1970, director: Jesús FrancoJesús FrancoJesús "Jess" Franco is a Spanish film director, writer, cinematographer and actor. His career took off in 1961 with his cult classic The Awful Dr. Orloff, which received wide distribution in the United States and England...
) - L'albatros (1971, director: Jean-Pierre MockyJean-Pierre MockyJean-Pierre Mocky is the pseudonym of Jean-Paul Adam Mokiejewski, a French film director, actor, screenwriter and producer...
) - Vampyros LesbosVampyros LesbosVampyros Lesbos is a 1971 erotic horror film directed and co-written by Jesús "Jess" Franco, inspired by Bram Stoker's short story Dracula's Guest.- Plot :...
(1971, director: Jesús FrancoJesús FrancoJesús "Jess" Franco is a Spanish film director, writer, cinematographer and actor. His career took off in 1961 with his cult classic The Awful Dr. Orloff, which received wide distribution in the United States and England...
) - Heroes in HellHeroes in Hell (film)Heroes in Hell is a 1973 Italian war film directed by Joe D'Amato and starring Klaus Kinski. -Cast:* Lars Bloch* Rosemarie Lindt* Luciano Rossi * Luis Joyce* Franco Garofalo * Stan Simon* Dick Foster...
- L'histoire très bonne et très joyeuse de Colinot trousse-chemiseThe Edifying and Joyous Story of ColinotThe Edifying and Joyous Story of Colinot is a 1973 French comedy film directed and written by Nina Companéez. Francis Huster stars as the title character, Colinot...
(1973) director: Nina CompanéezNina CompanéezNina Companéez is a French screenwriter and film director. She has written for 29 films and television shows since 1961.-Selected filmography:* Tonight or Never * Zärtliche Haie * Benjamin... - Un linceul n'a pas de pochesUn linceul n'a pas de pochesUn linceul n'a pas de poches is a French film directed by Jean-Pierre Mocky in 1974-Plot:A journalist, Michel Dolannes, decides to use his newspaper to denounce the corruption of the established system...
(1974, director: Jean-Pierre MockyJean-Pierre MockyJean-Pierre Mocky is the pseudonym of Jean-Paul Adam Mokiejewski, a French film director, actor, screenwriter and producer...
) - FrauengefängnisFrauengefängnisFrauengefängnis is a 1975 Swiss film directed by Jesus Franco. It is part of the women in prison cycle of violent sexploitation films that flourished in the 1970s and early 1980s.-Plot:...
(1975, director: Jesús FrancoJesús FrancoJesús "Jess" Franco is a Spanish film director, writer, cinematographer and actor. His career took off in 1961 with his cult classic The Awful Dr. Orloff, which received wide distribution in the United States and England...
) - DerrickDerrick (TV series)Derrick is a German TV series produced by Telenova Film und Fernsehproduktion in association with ZDF, ORF and SRG between 1974 and 1998 about Detective Chief Inspector Stephan Derrick and his loyal assistant Inspector Harry Klein , who solve murder cases in Munich and surroundings Derrick is a...
- Season 6, Episode 7: "Lena" (1979) - The Perfect CrimeThe Perfect Crime (film)The Perfect Crime is a 1978 crime film directed by Giuseppe Rosati and starring Leonard Mann.-Cast:* Leonard Mann - Paul De Revere* Alida Valli - Lady Clementine* Anthony Steel - Supt. Jeff Hawks* Janet Agren - Lady Gloria Boyd...
- The Practice of LoveThe Practice of LoveThe Practice of Love is a 1985 Austrian drama film directed by Valie Export. It was entered into the 35th Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Adelheid Arndt as Judith Wiener* Rüdiger Vogler as Dr. Alfons Schlögel* Hagnot Elischka as Dr...
(1985) - SalomeSalome (1986 film)Salome is a 1986 Italian-French drama film directed by Claude d'Anna. It was entered into the 1986 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Mohamed Badrsalem - 2nd Assassin* Fabrizio Bentivoglio - Yokanaan* Fabio Carfora - Narraboth* Feodor Chaliapin, Jr...
(1986) - PaprikaPaprika (1991 film)Paprika is a 1991 Italian film directed by Tinto Brass. The story follows the title character, a young girl who works as a prostitute in various brothels, losing any sense of self confidence and self-respect. But eventually she finds redemption, wealth and her one true love. The film is loosely...
(1989, director: Tinto BrassTinto BrassGiovanni Brass , better known as Tinto Brass, is an Italian filmmaker. He is noted especially for his work in the erotic genre, with films such as Così fan tutte , Paprika, Monella and Trasgredire...
)
Awards and honors
In 2009 the German film production companyProduction company
A production company provides the physical basis for works in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video.- Tasks and functions :...
Anolis published a Collector`s Edition of Mario Bava`s and Ricardo Freda`s masterpiece I Vampiri (Der Vampir von Notre-Dame) on a 2-DVD-Set. That item includes, inter alia, three different versions of the first Italian horror movie of the sound era and an exclusive interview with actor Paul Müller about his career (“C`est la Vie – Paul Muller erzählt”). It is the only on-screen interview appearance of him existing so far. The DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
is especially dedicated to Muller and his remarkable work within the European film industry.
Further reading
Jess FrancoJesús Franco
Jesús "Jess" Franco is a Spanish film director, writer, cinematographer and actor. His career took off in 1961 with his cult classic The Awful Dr. Orloff, which received wide distribution in the United States and England...
, *Memorias del tío Jess (2004) (autobiography, in Spanish)
Lucas Balbo, Peter Blumenstock, Christian Kessler, Tim Lucas
Tim Lucas
Tim Lucas is a film critic, biographer, novelist, screenwriter, blogger, and publisher/editor of the video review magazine Video Watchdog.-Biography and early career:...
, *Obsession - The Films of Jess Franco (1993)
Benedikt Eppenberger, Daniel Stapfer *Maedchen, Machos und Moneten: Die unglaubliche Geschichte des Schweizer Kinounternehmers Erwin C. Dietrich. Mit einem Vorwort von Jess Franco. Verlag Scharfe Stiefel, Zurich, 2006, ISBN 3-033-00960-3