Johannes Poulsen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johannes Poulsen
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Johannes Poulsen
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| Born | 17 November 1881 |
| Died | 14 October 1938 (aged 56) |
| Years active | 1901–1938 |
| Spouse(s) | Ulla Skou |
Johannes Poulsen (born November 17, 1881 – died October 14, 1938) was a famous Danish actor and director. He started his acting career at the Dagmar Theatre in 1901. Later, in 1909, he joined the important Royal Theatre as an actor. By 1917, he also began directing plays there.
Some of his most famous roles included Peer Gynt, Shylock, Henry VIII, and the funny fool in the play Twelfth Night. Johannes Poulsen also appeared in movies, starting in 1910 with Regia Art Films. He later starred in four films for Nordisk Film. He even wrote a book called Gennem de fagre riger (which means Through the Fair Realms) in 1916.
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Working with Carl Nielsen
In 1919, Johannes Poulsen directed a play called Aladdin, written by Adam Oehlenschläger. The famous composer Carl Nielsen was hired to write the music for it.
However, during rehearsals, Nielsen found that Poulsen was making the orchestra play in unusual places, like under a big staircase on the stage. Poulsen also cut out large parts of Nielsen's music and changed the order of the dances. Because of these changes, Carl Nielsen asked for his name to be removed from the play's posters and programs.
Guest Appearances and Directing
Johannes Poulsen stayed at the Royal Theatre until 1927. From 1928 to 1930, he traveled around Europe, performing as a guest actor in many big cities. After these tours, he returned to the Royal Theatre and became its director.
Everyman in Hollywood
In 1936, while he was the director of the Royal Theatre, Poulsen was invited to Hollywood, California. He was asked to direct a special outdoor play called Everyman at the Hollywood Bowl. This play was a very old story from the Middle Ages.
A famous film producer named Irving Thalberg helped make the play happen. He got support from Dr. A.H. Giannini of the Bank of America. A special agreement was made: a large part of the money earned from the play would go to help Jewish refugees who were escaping from Hitler's Germany.
Before the play opened, Irving Thalberg hosted a big dinner for Johannes Poulsen. Many important people from Hollywood, including MGM chairman Louis B. Mayer, were there. The play itself was a grand and expensive show. It opened to a huge audience of 12,000 people, including many movie stars. This production was Irving Thalberg's last big project before he passed away later that month at age 36.
During this same visit to Hollywood, the legendary comedian Charlie Chaplin gave Dr. Poulsen a special gift. It was Chaplin's own director's chair, which he had personally signed. This chair was later given to the Royal Theater Museum in Copenhagen.
Later Life and Final Performance
Johannes Poulsen continued to work at the Royal Theatre until he died two years after his Hollywood trip. His very last performance was on May 31, 1938. He played the role of King Christian IV in a play called Elves' Hill.
Shortly before he passed away, he also acted in a movie with George Schnéevoigt called Champagnegaloppen.
Filmography
- 1910 – Elskovsbarnet
- 1910 – Djævlesonaten
- 1910 – Et Gensyn
- 1910 – Elskovsleg
- 1911 – Balletdanserinden'
- 1911 – Dyrekøbt Glimmer
- 1912 – Indbruddet hos Skuespillerinden
- 1938 – Champagnegaloppen
See also
In Spanish: Johannes Poulsen para niños
