Talk:Luise Rainer

Place of birth

According to the IMDb, she was born in Dusseldorf, Germany. This article says Vienna, Austria. Anyone know which is right? --Feitclub 21:52, Oct 18, 2004 (UTC)

According to Halliwell's Who's Who in the Movies, Dusseldorf was the place of her birth. But when Rainer arived in Hollywood Louis B. Mayer insisted her birthplace be "changed" to Vienna and her nationality to Austrian. Crisso 16:03, 14 May 2006 (UTC)

When she came to England she provided details of her life and career to Pitmans for their brilliant and thoroughly checked book "Who's Who in the Theatre". She said she was born and educated in Vienna but that her first stage appearance was in Dusseldorf. In addition she gave her parent's names. I find it hard to believe that Mayer would have had any influence over her or her correct details in 1946. David Lauder 10:32, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

I asked the Düsseldorf register office for a copy of her birth certificate - she was definitely born there. --141.20.126.151 (talk) 14:12, 24 November 2007 (UTC)

The consensus from biographical references (2 cited) state Vienna as her birthplace. The only one so far that disputes it is Halliwell's, however their material on her is minute (75 words), and written in the form of an anecdote without a source. The others are much more biographical, even quoting her. Apparently she studied acting with Reinhardt in Germany. Therefore, we cannot simply change her place of birth without declaring that these other sources are wrong.

Other books that have her born in Vienna are: The MGM Stock Company: the Golden Era; Hollywood Musicals Year by Year; Inside: The Biography of John Gunther; The Quiet Invaders: The story of the Austrian Impact Upon America; and Katharine Hepburn: A Remarkable Woman. There are others. --Wikiwatcher1 (talk) 20:11, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

This German article states that she was born in Düsseldorf, Germany but she had to deny her origin since the Nazis were in power in germany during that time...User:85.176.74.244

Please translate relevant paragraphs. It would also help if there was an explanation of why her birthplace would have made any difference in Nazi attitudes. But in any case, the primary reference books giving her biography, describe her as from Vienna. A magazine article would not be enough to outweigh the the other sources. If you translate the article details, and include something about the author, it could be mentioned in the Early years section. But if it seems more of a rumor, and there's plenty of that in the entertainment world, it should be left out. --Wikiwatcher1 (talk) 19:49, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Turner Classic Movies is broadcasting Luise Rainer films to celebrate her birthday. In his introduction to The Emperor's Candlesticks, Robert Osbourne just said Rainer was born in Dusseldorf, Germany. --JamesAM (talk) 07:08, 13 January 2010 (UTC)

Well, it looks like a mystery. The Turner Classic Movies bio on her has Vienna. --Wikiwatcher1 (talk) 07:41, 13 January 2010 (UTC)

I looked up ancestry.com and Luise is on a Passenger list in 1935. Here are the details:

Name: Luise Rainer Age: 25 Female Single Occupation: Actress Race or People: Hebrew Place of Birth: Germany, Dusseldorf Immigration Visa Number: Q562 Issued at: Vienna Date Issued: December 21st 1934 Last Permanent Address: Austria, Vienna Name Of Ship: Ile De France Sailing From: Le Havre, France When: January 9th 1935 Sailing To: New York Arriving: January 15th 1935

Luise would have celebrated her 25th birthday onboard the ship.

How many older?

How many Academy Award winners of the past were older than Rainer is now? --RandomOrca2 19:46, 19 July 2007 (UTC)

Only George Burns, who died at the age of 100 in 1996. John Mills died at the age Rainer is now (97) in 2005. This does not include Honary Academy Award winners (Bob Hope, Lillian Gish) nor winners outside the acting department. 84.87.228.147 11:28, 27 July 2007 (UTC)