Biography

March 1, 1898 · Memel, East Prussia, Germany [now Klaipeda, Lithuania]

July 28, 1976 · Basel, Switzerland

Charlotte Wegmüller

1.70 m

German actress and operatic singer of Swiss and Italian parentage. Began on stage in Mozart's Magic Flute at the age of seventeen. Entered films in 1926 and played vamps until graduating to leading roles after the advent of sound. First prominent role as a murderess in the crime drama Le tigre de Berlin (1930). Signed by MGM in 1932 as a 'rival to Greta Garbo' but failed to secure a solitary role in Hollywood, thus cancelling her contract in 1934. Gave up film acting and returned to the stage after World War II, eventually settling in Basel, Switzerland, where she lived out the remainder of her life.

After the war she acted again for the theater, often at her husband Andrews Engelmann's side.

She began her career as singer for operas and operettas before she was spotted for the film business by director Richard Eichberg.

Because of her trained voice she didn't have any difficulties to be successful in the talkies.