Carl Laemmle Jr. (born Julius Laemmle; April 28, 1908 – September 24, 1979) was an American film producer, studio executive and heir of Carl Laemmle, who had founded Universal Studios. He was head of production at the studio from 1928 to 1936.
Early life
Laemmle was born on April 28, 1908, in Chicago, the son of Carl Laemmle, the founder of Universal Pictures, and Recha Stern Laemmle, who died in 1919 when he was eleven years old. Carl Jr. had a sister named Rosabelle. He also had a cousin Carla, an actress and dancer. His mother was buried in Salem Fields Cemetery, Glendale, New York. His family was Jewish, and during the 1930s Carl Laemmle Sr. assisted Jewish people in leaving Germany.
The Laemmle family shared a large New York City apartment located at 465 West End Avenue before moving to Los Angeles, California.
Career
During his tenure as head of production, beginning in 1928 in the early years of talkie movies, the studio had great success with films such as All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), Dracula (1931), Waterloo Bridge (1931), Frankenstein (1931), East of Borneo (1931), A House Divided (1931), The Mummy (1932), The Old Dark House (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), Imitation of Life (1934), and Bride of Frankenstein (1935).
Laemmle (often referred to as "Junior") developed a reputation during this period for spending too much money on films that did not earn back their cost. By the end of 1935, Universal Studio had spent so much money, and had so many flops, that J. Cheever Cowdin offered to buy the Laemmles out. The notable success, both financially and critically, of the 1936 film Show Boat, was not enough to stem the downslide, and father and son were both forced out of the company. Neither worked on another film again, although Laemmle Jr. lived for 43 more years. Charles R. Rogers became the new head of production at the studio.
Personal life Laemmle resided at 1641 Tower Grove Drive in Beverly Hills, California. He died from a stroke at the age of 71 on September 24, 1979, exactly 40 years after the day of his father's death. He was buried in the Chapel Mausoleum at Home of Peace Cemetery.
Filmography Year Title Notes1929 Speeding Youth Smilin' Guns The Charlatan The Rivals College Love The Varsity Drag Flying High Show Boat On the Sidelines Broadway Barnum Was Right One Hysterical Night Shanghai Lady1930Hell's HeroesThe Night RideKing of Jazz What Men WantLittle AccidentThe StormAll Quiet on the Western Front Outside the LawA Lady SurrendersEast Is WestThe Cat CreepsLa Voluntad del MuertoSpanish-language version of The Cat CreepsOriente es OccidenteSpanish-language version of East Is WestThe Boudoir DiplomatThe Cohens and Kellys in AfricaFree Love1931ResurrectionDraculaDon Juan diplomáticoSpanish-language version of The Boudoir DiplomatMany a SlipResurreccíonSpanish-language version of ResurrectionDráculaSpanish-language version of DraculaBad SisterVirtuous HusbandSeedIron ManUp for MurderBoudoir DiplomatiqueFrench-language version of The Boudoir DiplomatEx-Bad BoyHomicide SquadEast of BorneoWaterloo Bridge The Spirit of Notre DameLasca of the Rio GrandeFrankenstein Heaven on EarthStrictly DishonorableA House Divided1932The Unexpected FatherLaw and OrderRacing YouthMurders in the Rue Morgue The Impatient MaidenSteady CompanyThe Cohens and Kellys in HollywoodScandal for SaleDestry Rides AgainThe Rider of Death ValleyThe Doomed BattalionNight WorldRadio PatrolFast CompanionsThe Texas Bad ManTom Brown of CulverMy Pal, the KingBack StreetOkay America!Once in a LifetimeThe Old Dark House Hidden GoldAir Mail Afraid to TalkThey Just Had to Get MarriedThe Mummy Flaming Guns1933Laughter in HellNaganaTerror TrailThe Rustler's RoundupPrivate JonesDestination UnknownOut All NightThe Cohens and Kellys in TroubleLucky DogThe Big CageSecret of the Blue RoomThe Kiss Before the MirrorHorse PlayDon't Bet on LoveHer First MateS.O.S. IcebergLadies Must LoveLove, Honor, and Oh Baby!The Invisible Man Only YesterdayCounsellor at LawKing for a NightBy Candlelight1934Bombay MailCross Country CruiseBelovedThe Poor RichMadame SpyThe Crosby CaseUncertain LadyLove BirdsI'll Tell the WorldLet's Be RitzyAffairs of a GentlemanThe Black Cat Little Man, What Now?Half a SinnerThe Love CaptiveOne More RiverGift of GabEmbarrassing MomentsGreat ExpectationsImitation of Life There's Always TomorrowThe Man Who Reclaimed His Head 1935The Good FairyThe Mystery of Edwin Drood Transient LadyBride of Frankenstein Remember Last Night?1936Show Boat Final film
References
External links
Official Laemmle Family YouTube Channel Official Laemmle family website
Carl Laemmle Jr. at Virtual History