Henrik Malberg

Infobox actor
bgcolour = silver
name = Henrik Malberg


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birthdate = December 4 1873
location = Aarhus, Denmark
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deathdate = September 28 1958
deathplace =
yearsactive = 1896-1958
birthname = Henrik Martin Marinus Malberg
othername =
homepage =
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Henrik Malberg (1873 - 1958) was a Danish actor of theater and Danish cinema who played his most noted role at the age of 80 -- the stoic authoritative farm owner in the Carl Th. Dreyer classic film "Ordet".

Career

Henrik Martin Marinus Malberg was born in Aarhus Denmark on 4 December 1873. Originally trained as a mechanic, Malberg made his stage debut at the Århus Teater in 1896. Malberg worked with a touring company for several years but between 1902 and 1905 he was based with the Aarhus Theater. While playing the role of Arv in "Masquerade", Malberg was noticed by the Danish actor Olaf Poulsen who brought him to Copenhagen. For the next five years, Malberg was the principle actor at the Dagmar Theater in Copenhagen. In 1910, he became director for a Danish touring company, then once again returned to the Dagmar (1912-1914) and afterwards, the Alexander Theater (1914-1917). In his later years, Malberg was employed at the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen.

Malberg made his screen debut in the 1910 silent film, "The Picture of Dorian Gray". He appeared in several more films during the silent era for the major Danish directors of the period: George Schnéevoigt, Emanuel Gregers, Holger-Madsen and Lau Lauritzen, Sr. He also performed in three Fy & Bi comedies. Then in 1930, Malberg performed the lead role in the first purely Danish sound film as the priest in the crime mystery "Præsten i Vejlby". A man of large stature and booming voice, Malberg was primarily a stage performer, and his film performances are described as imposing and theatrical.Piil, Morten, "Henrik Malberg", Danske Filmshuespillere, Gyldendal, (2001), pg. 294-295] It was not until he was 80-years-old that Malberg played his most memorable role -- as the farm owner Morten Borgen in the classic Carl Th. Dreyer film "Ordet" ("The Word"). Malberg credited Dreyer with teaching him the art of film acting.cquote|When for so many years one stood on a large stage, a huge square, and shouted lines over the audience, one must learn to tone it down and find a quieter form in front of the camera. Dreyer taught me that. He is a magnificent director - he demands a lot, but also gives a lot.|30px|30px|Henrik Malberg at age 80|Ekstra Bladet 1954translated from Piil, Morten, "Henrik Malberg", Danske Filmshuespillere, Gyldendal, (2001), pg. 294-295]

Afterward Malberg travelled around Denmark to teach and to perform for school children. At the age of 84, he toured 55 Copenhagen area schools and a dozen in Jutland, giving a two-hour performance at each. cquote|I am actually in such good shape, that I dream of performing on stage for my 85th birthday.|30px|30px|Henrik Malberg|Politiken, 1958

Malberg died two months before his 85th birthday after falling from a ladder. During his long career, Malberg appeared in 21 films. Malberg also cowrote two stage plays: "Bolettes Brudefærd" (with Orla Bock) and "Gamle Postgaard" (with Axel Frische). Malberg performed in the 1938 movie version of "Bolettes Brudefærd" with his brother Peter Malberg and Bodil Ipsen. Malberg was an honorary member of the Danish Actor's Union for which he sat on the board for 36 years.

Personal life

Malberg was the son of Peter Broch Malberg and Catrine Marie Schebye. His brother, Peter Malberg, was also an actor. Malberg married Anna Augusta Hansenmeyer on May 11 1906. Malberg died on September 28 1958. The address in Aarhus where Malberg was born houses a dinner theater.

Filmography

References

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0539047 Henrik Malberg at IMDb]