Remember the name Hans Albers because this is his final resting place. Hans Albers was Hamburg’s very own blonde Hans. He was born in the city’s St. Georg district in 1891. Albers became Germany’s biggest male movie star between 1930 and 1960.
Albers’ journey began with acting classes taken secretly. His parents did not know about it. World War I saw him drafted but wounded early. He entertained troops in Wiesbaden.
Post-war Berlin was where Albers found his comedic footing. His role as a waiter in Verbrecher marked his breakthrough. It was also where he started a long romance with Hansi Burg. She was a Jewish actress.
Over one hundred silent films preceded his talkie debut in 1929. The Night Belongs to Us was the name. Fame arrived with The Blue Angel in 1930. He starred alongside Marlene Dietrich. Daredevil roles cemented his stardom. Bombs on Monte Carlo and Der Mann, der Sherlock Holmes war showed his comedic talent. Many songs from his movies became hits. Some remain popular today.
The Nazi rise to power in 1933 complicated things. Albers and Burg moved to Lake Starnberg. They married in 1934, resulting in Albers’ contract with UFA being canceled. Albers never publicly supported the Nazis. Yet, he became the most popular actor under their rule. His relationship with Burg was silently tolerated. Eventually, pressure mounted. Burg fled to Switzerland and then Great Britain in 1939. Albers secretly supported her financially. They reunited after the war. She returned in a British uniform.
In 1943, Albers starred in UFA’s anniversary picture Münchhausen. He avoided endorsing the Nazi regime. He also starred in Große Freiheit Nr. 7. Some scenes were shot in Prague. This was due to bomb damage in Hamburg.
Post-World War II saw Albers avoid the professional ban due to his link with Burg. But German heroes were not wanted by the occupation government. This caused a career pause. He found work in respectable roles. But he never regained his pre-war stardom. His age and alcoholism took their toll. He remained in movies until the end.
Albers collapsed during a performance and died in 1960. He was 68 years old. His ashes rest here in Ohlsdorf Cemetery. This is his birthplace.
Albers remains closely linked with Hamburg. Especially the St. Pauli district. There is a square named Hans-Albers-Platz in his honor. Today, he is remembered for his music.
Outside Northern Europe, Albers is virtually unknown. The image of a man in a seaman’s cap playing accordion is still recognizable. McDonald’s even used such an image in an ad in 1986. Albers actually had no real sailing experience. He only took one day trip to Heligoland.
His songs told humorous tales of drunken sailors. They contained suggestive lyrics. Auf der Reeperbahn nachts um halb eins is his signature song. It is the unofficial anthem of St. Pauli. Hans-Albers-Platz features a statue of Albers. It was created by Jörg Immendorff. Remember Hans Albers, the blonde Hans of Hamburg.