Karl Valentin

Biography

Karl Valentin (IPA: ['falɛntiːn], born Valentin Ludwig Fey; 4 June 1882 – 9 February 1948) was a Bavarian comedian, cabaret performer, clown, author and film producer. He had significant influence on German Weimar culture. Valentin starred in many silent films in the 1920s, and was sometimes called the "Charlie Chaplin of Germany". His work has an essential influence on artists like Bertolt Brecht, Samuel Beckett, Loriot and Helge Schneider. He developed a reputation for writing and performing short comic routines, which he performed in a strong Bavarian dialect, usually with his female partner, Liesl Karlstadt. His art centered mostly around linguistic dexterity and wordplay—Valentin was a linguistic anarchist.

Movies & TV Shows

1. The Mysteries of a Hairdresser's Shop (1923) — Frisiergeselle
2. The Confirmee (1934) — Father
3. The Bartered Bride (1932) — Rudolph Brummer
4. New Desk (1914) — Sekretär Dürr
5. The Jolly Vagabonds (1912) — Valentin (Police Officer)
6. Fruit in the Neighbor's Garden (1935) — Valentin, sein Gärtner
7. So ein Theater! (1934) — Geiger
8. Der verhexte Scheinwerfer (1934) — Elektriker
9. Der Sonderling (1929) — Schneidergeselle
10. Thunder, Lightning and Sunshine (1936) — Schneidermeister Huckebein
11. At the Neurologist (1936) — Mr. Meier
12. Der Theaterbesuch (1934) — Fanny's Husband
13. Auf dem Oktoberfest (1921)
14. Orchesterprobe (1933) — Trumpeter
15. Die Erbschaft (1936) — Karl Meier
16. Street Music (1936) — Kürassier-Otto
17. Lachkabinett (1953)
18. Beim Rechtsanwalt (1936) — The Farmer
19. Im Photoatelier (1933) — Heinrich
20. Im Schallplattenladen (1934) — Kunde
21. Karl Valentins Hochzeit (1913) — Groom
22. Der Antennendraht (1937) — Intruder
23. Karl Valentin privat und im Atelier (1913)
24. Der Zithervirtuose (1934) — Zithervirtuose
25. In der Apotheke (1941) — Kunde
26. Es knallt (1934) — Xaver Fürst
27. Der Feuerwehrtrompeter — Feuerwehrtrompeter
28. Ein verhängnisvolles Geigensolo (1936)
29. Musik zu zweien (1936)
30. Die karierte Weste (1936)
31. WRDLBRMPFD! Karl Valentin: Der Unverstandene (2019) — Self (archival footage)
32. Karl Valentin – Die beliebtesten Kurzfilme (2024)
33. Einmal im Jahr möcht' ich auch lachen können (1982) — selbst (Archivmaterial)
34. Der Kuß (1913)
35. Das Jahrhundert des Kabaretts (2001) — Self (archive Footage)

Directed

1. The Confirmee (1934) — Director
2. New Desk (1914) — Director
3. The Jolly Vagabonds (1912) — Director
4. Karl Valentin privat und im Atelier (1913) — Director
5. Karl Valentin – Die beliebtesten Kurzfilme (2024) — Director