Karl Dane

Infobox actor
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name = Karl Dane


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birthname = Rasmus Karl Therkelsen Gottlieb
birthdate = birth date|1886|10|12
location = Copenhagen, Denmark
deathdate = death date and age|1934|04|15|1886|10|12
deathplace = Los Angeles, California
occupation = Actor, Comedian, Vaudeville performer
spouse = Carla Dagmar Hagen (1910–1919)
Helen Benson (1921–1923)
Emma Awilda Peabody Sawyer (March 1924-September 1924) [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ]

Karl Dane (October 12, 1886, Copenhagen, Denmark – April 15, 1934, Los Angeles, California) was a comedian and actor mainly of the silent film era. At the peak of his career he was working alongside stars such as Rudolph Valentino, John Gilbert, and King Vidor. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ] In 1926 he teamed up with George K. Arthur to form the successful comedy duo "Dane & Arthur". At the peak of his career he was making $1500 a week. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] In the 1930s Dane was forced to quit his film career due to a nervous breakdown and trouble with his heavy accent. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ] Unable to find successful work he eventually killed himself in 1934. His death has been recounted in countless books; usually as one of the sadder tales of failing to transition to talkies. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/bio.html Karl Dane - Biography ] ] [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ]

Early life

Rasmus Karl Therkelsen Gottlieb was born in Turesensgade 23 in central Copenhagen, Denmark to Rasmus Carl Marius Gottlieb and Anne Cathrine Simonsen Gottlieb. He had 3 brothers: Georg Valdemar Johan, Reinald Marius, Viggo Eiler. His parents’ marriage was apparently stormy; with his father having trouble with alcohol and money management. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] In 1903 Dane's parents divorced, leaving him in the custody of his mother. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ]

His father was a glove maker by trade but enjoyed the theatre. At the turn of the century he built a toy theatre which people began to pay to see; during which time Dane and his brother Reinald would perform for the crowds. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] His father also worked as a curtain puller at the local theatre; which his two sons would accompany him to. Dane later said this would inspire him to act. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ]

In 1900 Dane and his brother apprenticed as machinists. It would be a job he'd perform on and off throughout his life. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ]

In 1907 he began compulsory military service in the "First Artillery Battalion". He would be promoted to Lance Corporal. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ]

After being discharged from the military he married dressmaker Carla Dagmar Hagen on September 10, 1910. The marriage produced two children: Ejlert Carl (born 1911), Ingeborg Helene (1912). [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ]

With the outbreak of World War 1 Dane was called back to duty. He was eventually promoted to Corporal before being discharged in 1915. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ]

In Denmark as well as the rest of Europe employment prospects looked grim. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] On January 25, 1916 Dane headed for the United States alone. He intended to send for his family later. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] He boarded the SS "Oscar II". [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] He had $25 in his pocket and spoke no English. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] The ship arrived in February at Ellis Island. Dane passed immigrant inspection and moved to 345 Court Street in Brooklyn with a friend named Charles Lindgren. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ] The same day he found work in a foundry. Sometime in 1916 he moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where he worked as an auto mechanic. By summer 1917 he returned to New York where he again worked as a mechanic. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ]

Early Film Career and German Roles

In late 1917 Dane appeared in his first picture. It was a bit part in a Vitagraph Studios short, filmed in Fort Lee, New Jersey. He made $3 a day (as a mechanic he had been making $3 a week) for his part. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ] However his scenes were cut and the name of this film is not known. Any footage is presumed lost. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ]

Dane then appeared in Warner Brothers Anti-German sentiment film, "My Four Years in Germany" as 'Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg'. This would be the first of many such roles for Dane in his early career. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ]

The film was released April 29, 1918 and was a success making $430,000 at the box office (the film had a budget of $50,000). [ [http://www.silentsaregolden.com/DeBartoloreviews/rdbmyfouryear.html "My Four Years in Germany" 1918 ] ]

His next film was "Wolves of Kultur" which contained '15 chapters' (running about 3 hours total). The film was released chapter by chapter between 1918–1919. [imdb title|0009825|Wolves of Kultur (1918)] The film still survives but has not been released on DVD.

He then followed that with the June Mathis penned film, "To Hell with the Kaiser" reprising his role as Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg. Before his move to Hollywood Dane completed 3 more films; all in the Anti-German propaganda style and all released in 1919.

Film Hiatus

In early 1921 Dane met Swedish immigrant Helen Benson. He then quit films, and together the pair moved to Van Nuys, California where they opened a chicken farm. They married June 15, 1921. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ]

On August 9, 1923 Helen died in childbirth as did the couple's baby girl. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ]

In December 1923 Dane ran into old friend Charles Hutchison who convinced him to appear in a serial he is producing. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ]

tardom

In December 1924 Robert McIntyre (who had first cast Dane back at Vitagraph), the casting director at MGM recommended Dane for a role in King Vidor's latest project. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] Dane was cast as "Slim" in "The Big Parade" alongside John Gilbert, and Renée Adorée. The movie was a major success, becoming the second highest grossing silent film of all time making almost $6.5 million (not adjusted for inflation). [ [http://www.cinemaweb.com/silentfilm/bookshelf/7_v_32_4.htm Biggest Money Pictures ] ]

He worked alongside Rudolph Valentino and Vilma Bánky in Son of the Sheik as 'Ramadan'. [ [http://www.silentsaregolden.com/sonofthesheikfeature.html Son of the Sheik feature ] ] The film was a success and after Valentino's death it was re-released several more times well into the late 30s. [imdb title|0017416|The Son of the Sheik (1926)]

After working on "Son of the Sheik" Dane signed a contract with MGM in June 1926. He began to appear as comic relief in several films including "The Scarlet Letter" (directed by Victor Sjöström and starring Lillian Gish), "La Boheme" (again directed by Vidor, and starring Gish, Gilbert and Adorée), and "Alias Jimmy Valentine" with William Haines and Leila Hyams. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ]

Dane & Arthur

Soon after signing his MGM contract Dane began work on the Vidor film, "Bardelys the Magnificent" (in which a young John Wayne appeared). It was on this film that MGM executive Harry Rapf decided to team Dane with George K. Arthur as a comedic duo. Together they were dubbed "Dane & Arthur". [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ]

In May 1927 the duo's first film, "Rookies" opened and was an instant success. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] By June 1927 MGM signed Dane to a long term contract. The duo continued their success making such films as "Detectives", "Circus Rookies", and "The Trail of '98". [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] In April 1928 Dane broke his shoulder on set. He contracted bronchial pneumonia and was in serious condition. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ] He eventually recovered and went back to work on the duos films.

Talkies and Decline

Dane & Arthur's last silent short was "Detectives" in 1928. On December 23, 1928 their first talkie, "Brotherly Love" was released. Arthur was a Scotsman who had a distinct but acceptable British accent. Dane had a thick guttural Danish accent; which did not record well and made his English hard to understand. The duo lasted only six more talkies ending with "China Bound" in 1929. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ]

Five films later, in 1930 Dane lost his contract with MGM. He would later claim this was due to a nervous breakdown on his behalf and he needed a rest. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] However by December Paramount offered Dane & Arthur a 23 week 'Publix Theatre' vaudeville tour. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ] The pair had made a few shorts for Paramount and RKO as well. The pair ended with the end of the vaudeville tour.

In November 1931, after the tour Dane along with some friends formed a mining corporation named, 'Avelina Mines'. The venture failed. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ] By February 1932 Dane had turned back to vaudeville this time as a solo comedic act. It was panned by critics and apparently short lived. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ]

In December 1932 Dane's last film, "The Whispering Shadow" starring Bela Lugosi was released. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ]

By the summer of 1933 Dane had given up on films and turned desperately to mining. He spent three months driving up and down the West Coast trying to find a good mining deal. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ] However he ended up losing $1,100 in September 1933 and the venture never took off. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] Deeply depressed and broken down Dane took on several jobs including a mechanic, a waiter, and carpenter. He was unable to hold any of these jobs. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ]

uicide

By the end of 1933 Dane had purchased a stake in a hot dog stand outside MGM Studios. The business failed as it was shunned by his former friends. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ] Dane then tried to find work with his former studio as an extra or carpenter but was turned away. He had been seeking a job that would pay $5 a day. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ]

On April 13 Dane was pick pocketed of all the money he had: $18. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] On April 14 he was supposed met with a young woman named Frances Leake, supposedly to see a movie and cheer him up. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] However he never showed and Leake became worried. She immediately arrived at his apartment (located at 626 South Burnside Avenue) and with the assistance of the landlady they were able to open the door. There they found Dane, clad in shirt, pants, and slippers. He was slumped in his chair, with a revolver at his feet. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] Leake fainted at the scene. When she was revived, Leake found Dane's final note on a nearby table, next to a scrapbook he had always kept, filled with his old studio contracts and rave reviews. The short note read, "To Frances and all my friends-goodbye." [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ]

Dane had committed suicide by shooting himself in the head with a revolver. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ]

No one came forward to claim his body. Police tagged his body with the note, "May have relatives in Denmark. Hold for awhile". For the next few days authorities attempted to find his family, even placing ads in major Copenhagen newspapers. However, the Gottliebs did not find out about Dane's death until weeks later. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ]

Fellow Danish actor Jean Hersholt stepped forward and insisted MGM pay for a funeral and burial. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] MGM agreed and on April 18 a funeral was held open to the public. Among the fifty attendees, mostly those of Scandinavian descent, Hersholt was a pallbearer, as well as Tom O'Brien. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] Dane was interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery with a modest headstone. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ]

Personal life

Dane was very active during his life. He loved all sports, swimming, horse riding, and bicycling. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/bio.html Karl Dane - Biography ] ] He loved to play practical jokes; and was a daredevil as a child. Dane was a big animal lover, rescuing two of the dogs who needed homes after "Trail of '98". [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/bio.html Karl Dane - Biography ] ]

Dane was not big into the Hollywood social scene. He enjoyed carpentry and built his own home in Malibu. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/bio.html Karl Dane - Biography ] ] He had a home in Beverly Hills as well. Dane officially became an American citizen in 1919. At the same time he also officially legally changed his name to 'Karl Dane'. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ]

Dane was said to be a direct, funny, sincere, and bit a naive. He was a shy and solitary person; as he felt he didn’t fit in due to his grasp of English. Dane understood English perfectly; but had trouble finding the words to explain himself thus sometimes giving the wrong impression. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/bio.html Karl Dane - Biography ] ]

Dane adored women and was known as a flirt. For him a usual greeting with a woman consisted of a close hug and a kiss on the lips. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/bio.html Karl Dane - Biography ] ] Due to his sincerity most women found this more charming than forward. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/bio.html Karl Dane - Biography ] ]

Marriages and Relationships

Carla Hagen

Dane's first marriage was to Carla Dagmar Hagen. The couple married September 10, 1910 at Saint Paul’s Church in Copenhagen. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] Dane's only living children were born during this union; a son Ejlert Carl, in 1911. And a daughter, Ingeborg Helene in 1912. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/bio.html Karl Dane - Biography ] ] When Dane immigrated to the US in 1916 he intended to send for his family later. However by his success in 1918 Dane had begun to lose touch with his family. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] Carla no longer wanted to join him, as she was suffering from ill health. The pair separated that year.

It took until his fame in 1925 with 'The Big Parade' for his family in Denmark to recognize and write Dane. They were unaware of his fame or his name change yet his brother and his now 15-year-old daughter both recognized him on screen. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ] After receiving a letter from his brother asking if he was Karl Gottlieb Dane excitedly replied, "Dear Big Brother! I have received your letter, and confess that I am Karl Dane!" He then remained in contact with his family in Denmark. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ]

Helen Benson

In early 1921 Dane met Swedish immigrant "Helen Benson". It was then he quit films and moved to Van Nuys. The couple married June 15, 1921. Tragically on August 9, 1923 Helen died in childbirth as did the couple's baby girl. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ]

Emma Sawyer

Unable to cope with the loss of his wife and daughter Dane rushed into a marriage with telephone operator supervisor Emma Awilda Peabody Sawyer, 7 years his senior. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] The couple married on March 8, 1924 and separated on September 30, 1924. After his success in May 1926 Emma brought suit against Dane for support. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ] It is not clear if she received it or not.

Thais Valdemar

In June 1928 Dane fell hard for Russian dancer Thais Valdemar. The couple began dating and eventually claimed to be married though they indeed never were (many sources incorrectly state that she was his legal wife). [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/bio.html Karl Dane - Biography ] ] The couple lived together at Dane's Beverly Hills home until November 1928 when Valdemar moved out. By December she filed a Breach of Promise suit against Dane for $75,000, but the case was ultimately dropped in early 1929. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/timeline.html Karl Dane - Timeline ] ]

Legacy

Many of Dane's films still exist today and a few are available on DVD including, 'Son of the Sheik', 'The Big Parade', 'The Whispering Shadow'. 'Bardelys the Magnificent' was thought lost but around 30 minutes of the film has been found. Many of the Dane & Arthur shorts still exist but have yet to see a release including, 'Brotherly Love'. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/films.html Karl Dane - Films ] ]

Dane was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to film located at 6140 Hollywood Blvd (located in front of the 'Henry Fonda Music Box Theater')

Dane's talkie downfall was covered in Kenneth Anger's Hollywood Babylon II. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/bio.html Karl Dane - Biography ] ]

Lately there has been a renewed interest in Dane's career especially in his native Denmark. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] On October 12, 2006 Danish weekly paper "FOKUS" published an article on Dane to commemorate what would be his 120th birthday. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/fokus.html Karl Dane - FOKUS Article, Original English Version ] ] In February 2007 an issue of the monthly "Classic Images" (#380) included an article on Dane. [ [http://www.classicimages.com/articles/2007/02/07/current_issue/danekarl.prt Printable Version ] ] In July 2007 biannual publication "The Bridge" (Volume 30 Number 1 2007), published by the "Danish American Heritage Society" featured an article on Dane. [ [http://www.danishamericanheritagesociety.org/ Danish American Heritage Society ] ] In December 2007 the Danish Film Festival "Kosmorama" published an article about Dane in their newsletter. [ [http://www.dfi.dk/cinemateket/kosmorama/240/kosmorama240.htm Kulturmøder - Kosmorama #240 ] ]

On January 28, 2008 The Danish Film Institute held a 'Karl Dane Retrospective' in Copenhagen, Denmark. [ [http://www.dfi.dk/cinemateket/Program/Filmbeskrivelse.htm?id=v1006344 Filmbeskrivelse ] ] A speech was given by Laura Petersen Balogh and featured clips from Dane's films followed by a screening of one of his features. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/dfi-talk.html DFI Presentation - January 29, 2008 ] ] The event was attended by some of Dane's descendants. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/dfi-talk.html DFI Presentation - January 29, 2008 ] ] Balogh is currently researching and writing a biography on Dane. [ [http://www.karl-dane.com/research.html Karl Dane - My Research ] ]

Filmography

*The Whispering Shadow (1933)
*Fast Life (1932)
*Lime Juice Nights (1931)
*Dumbbells in Derbies (1931)
*A Put Up Job (1931)
*New Moon (1930)
*Knights Before Christmas (1930)
*A Lady's Morals (1930)
*Dizzy Dates (1930)
*Billy the Kid (1930)
*Broken Wedding Bells (1930)
*Men Without Skirts (1930)
*The Big House (1930)
*Montana Moon (1930)
*Navy Blues (1929)
*The Mysterious Island (1929)
*Speedway (1929)
*China Bound (1929)
*The Duke Steps Out (1929)
*All at Sea (1929)
*The Voice of the Storm (1929)
*Alias Jimmy Valentine (1928)
*Brotherly Love (1928)
*Detectives (1928)
*Circus Rookies (1928)
*The Trail of '98 (1928)
*Baby Mine (1928)
*The Enemy (1927)
*Rookies (1927)
*Slide, Kelly, Slide (1927)
*The Red Mill (1927)
*War Paint (1926)
*Bardelys the Magnificent (1926)
*The Scarlet Letter (1926)
*The Son of the Sheik (1926)
*Monte Carlo (1926)
*La Bohème (1926)
*His Secretary
*Lights of Old Broadway (1925)
*The Big Parade (1925)
*The Everlasting Whisper
*The Whirlwind (1919)
*Daring Hearts (1919)
*The Great Victory, Wilson or the Kaiser? The Fall of the Hohenzollerns (1919)
*Wolves of Kultur
*To Hell with the Kaiser! (1918)
*Her Final Reckoning (1918)
*The Triumph of Venus (1918)
*My Four Years in Germany (1918)

As himself:
*Crazy House (1930)
*Screen Snapshots Series 9, No. 23 (1930)
*Free and Easy (1930)
*The March of Time (1930)
*The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929)

References

External links

*
*
* [http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=2:16807~T0 Karl Dane at All Movie Guide]
* [http://www.karl-dane.com Karl Dane Fan Site]
* [http://forgetthetalkies.blogspot.com/2008/08/silents-talk-karl-dane.html Karl Dane Talkie Clips]
* [http://silentgents.com/OGDane.html Karl Dane Photo Gallery]
* [http://karl-dane.blogspot.com/ Karl Dane Blog]
* [http://www.forever-studios.com/lifestories/lifestory.cfm?Archive_ID=7635&Directory=/Archives/ Karl Dane at Forever Studios]
* [http://www.karl-dane.com/records/CinefiloArticle.pdf A 1928 article on Dane]