Rabes’s title makes clear the subject: he depicted Wassmann as Holzapfel, linking the actor to the role.
Hans Wassmann as Holzapfel (Dogberry) in Viel Lärm um nichts (Berlin stage photo, ca.1912)theatergeschichte.org. In German productions of Much Ado About Nothing (German: Viel Lärm um nichts), the constable Dogberry is often renamed Holzapfel. Actor Hans Wassmann (1873–1932) was a noted German stage performerde.wikipedia.org. He was praised for playing comic “stupid” charactersde.wikipedia.org – fitting the bumbling constable Holzapfel. In fact, archival records show Wassmann played Holzapfel in a Berlin premiere (23 February 1912) of Viel Lärm um nichtstheatergeschichte.org. Contemporary postcards confirm this (photographer H. Böhm, publisher Leiser)theatergeschichte.org.
Why Wassmann Still Matters
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Bridge between stage and screen: One of the early German actors to cross from classic theater (including Shakespeare roles) into influential silent cinema.
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Representation of Weimar culture: His roles reflected German society’s evolution—from aristocratic gravitas to comedic satire.
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Historical visibility: Featured in productions from directors like Lubitsch and Illés; images preserved in national collections (Getty/Ullstein) highlight his period significance
Film Career: 1914–1932
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Silent to Early Sound Film
Entered cinema in 1914 with the comedy Bedingung – kein Anhang! for Deutsche Bioscop, sharing the screen with Ernst Lubitsch gettyimages.com.au+5flickr.com+5flickr.com+5. -
Prolific Supporting Actor
Over 50 films span two decades, with roles such as mayors, admirals, and businessmen in works like Schützenfest in Schilda and Der Herr Bürovorsteher 1902encyclopedia.com+8de.wikipedia.org+8flickr.com+8. -
Select Notable Films
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Hans und Hanni (1916) – first leading role mubi.com+11de.wikipedia.org+11flickr.com+11
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Lola Montez (1918)
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With Asta Nielsen: Miss Venus (1921), Das gefährliche Alter (1927); he’s credited in That Dangerous Age (Das gefährliche Alter) as Wellmann flickr.com+2de.wikipedia.org+2flickr.com+2en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4flickr.com+4
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Ein Glas Wasser (1923), Fridericus Rex (1922), Nanon (1924), Der Meister von Nürnberg (1927), and multiple early sound films including Meine Frau, die Hochstaplerin (1931)
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Hans Wassmann was a versatile and celebrated German stage and early film actor, moving from humble debut roles to significant Shakespearean and comedic parts. He made a successful cinematic transition and earned public recognition across Germany’s theater and film scenes.
