--- name: "Alfred Abel" canonical: "https://film.one/person/alfred-abel" fi1m_id: "alfred-abel" imdb_id: "nm0002154" tmdb_id: 73 wikidata_id: "Q63781" roles: ["Actor"] born: "11 March 1879" died: "12 December 1937" reviewed_on_fi1m: 2 average_fi1m_score: 82 average_as: "actor" average_over: 2 updated: "2026-09-25T05:47:48.604087+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Alfred Abel ## Identity Alfred Abel - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/alfred-abel - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** alfred-abel - **IMDb ID:** nm0002154 - **TMDB ID:** 73 - **Wikidata ID:** Q63781 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Abel, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q63781, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002154/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/73 Actor. Born 11 March 1879 in Leipzig, Germany. Died 12 December 1937. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 11 March 1879, Leipzig, Germany - **Died:** 12 December 1937 - **Active:** 1922–1927 - **Also known as:** Alfred Peter Abel - **Frequently works with:** [Erich Pommer](https://film.one/person/erich-pommer.md), [Fritz Lang](https://film.one/person/fritz-lang.md), [Rudolf Klein-Rogge](https://film.one/person/rudolf-klein-rogge.md), [Thea von Harbou](https://film.one/person/thea-von-harbou.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 82, as actor, over 2 titles - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Abel, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q63781, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002154/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/73 ## Streaming the US now - **The Roku Channel:** [*Metropolis*](https://film.one/film/metropolis.md) (87) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Alfred Abel > Alfred Abel makes authority convincing by keeping his gestures small and his expressions guarded. We value the restraint he brings to *Metropolis*: in a film full of emphatic performances, he gives us someone worth watching closely. Gustav Fröhlich's Freder Fredersen expresses himself with his whole body in *Metropolis* (1927); Alfred Abel's Joh Fredersen is markedly more controlled. As the city's leader, Abel makes that difference suggest the habit of being obeyed. We felt grateful for his restraint when so many of the performances were demanding our attention. With him, we have time to look for a thought behind an expression. It is one reason Fritz Lang's crowded film remains engaging even when its people are behaving at their most emphatic. Lang had already cast Abel as Count Told in *Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler* (1922), while F.W. Murnau gave him Lorenz Lubota in *Phantom* (1922). His silent work also included Ernst Lubitsch, and later Marcel L'Herbier, for whom he played Alphonse Gunderman in *L'Argent* (1928). His characteristic method was to keep gestures small and let guarded expressions suggest internal tension. He often played dignified authority figures, but the chilly manner could leave room for warmth. We rate him for making such reserve worth attending to. Lang makes particularly good use of that control in *Metropolis*. Rudolf Klein-Rogge's Rotwang readily fits the film's appetite for exaggeration, and Abel's quieter presence helps keep it from becoming exhausting. Brigitte Helm, as Maria, can also hold our attention by staying still, despite everything Lang has put around her. There is pleasure in being allowed to watch people behave differently within the same enormous production. We would not want everyone in it to act like Abel. The move into sound brought more elegant gentlemen and aristocrats, with fewer chances to vary the part. Abel played Sir John Menier for Alfred Hitchcock in *Mary* (1931). His accustomed dignity was useful, but the increasing typecasting was a limitation. A guarded expression cannot provide endless interest if the roles keep asking for much the same thing. Start with *Metropolis*, and watch how little he needs to do to make its leader credible. ## Biography Alfred Abel, also credited as Alfred Peter Abel, was a German actor, director and producer. Born in Leipzig in 1879, he appeared in more than 140 silent and sound films from 1913 until 1937. He is best known for his performance as Johann 'Joh' Fredersen in Fritz Lang's *Metropolis* (1927). Other notable roles include Count Told in *Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler* (1922), Lorenz Lubota in *Phantom* (1922) and Alphonse Gunderman in *L'Argent* (1928). Abel also directed and produced several films. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (2) - *Metropolis* (1927), Fi1m 87, as Johann 'Joh' Fredersen — [page](https://film.one/film/metropolis.md) - *Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler* (1922), Fi1m 77, as Count Told — [page](https://film.one/film/dr-mabuse-the-gambler.md) ## Complete filmography (105) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Mrs. Sylvelin* (1938), as Daffinger - *Millionäre* (1937), as Dollereder - *Seven Slaps* (1937), as Astor Terbanks - *Millionenerbschaft* (1937), as Cyrus M. Mills - *Duet* (1937), as Großindustrieller William Liners - *Unter Ausschluß der Öffentlichkeit* (1937), as Bankier Sparrenberg - *The Court Concert* (1936), as Dichter Knips - *Game on Board* (1936), as I. C. Corner, Konzernchef - *Maria, the Servant* (1936), as Dr. Winter, Alices Mann, Rechtsanwalt - *Skandal um die Fledermaus* (1936), as Patrick, Butler - *A Strange Guest* (1936), as Bruneaux, Kunsthändler - *Kater Lampe* (1936), as Gemeindediener Seifert - *Everything for a Woman* (1935), Director - *Love Conquers* (1934), as Direktor Berger - *Eine Siebzehnjährige* (1934), as Werner von Schlettow, sein Sohn - *Glückliche Reise* (1933), Director - *Wege zur guten Ehe* (1933), as Generaldirektor Veller - *Die kleine Schwindlerin* (1933), as Vater - *The Burning Secret* (1933), as Der Mann - *Manolescu, der Fürst der Diebe* (1933), as Jan Hendriks - *Salon Dora Green* (1933), as Iwan Keller - *Kampf* (1932), as Wagemann - *The White Demon* (1932), as Gorre - *Spione im Savoy-Hotel* (1932), as Mr. Palmer - *The Beautiful Adventure* (1932), as Graf d'Eguzon - *Viennese Waltz* (1932), Actor - *Jonny Steals Europe* (1932), as Jack Matting - *Montparnasse Girl* (1932), as Graf Laboudèle - *The Trunks of Mr. O.F.* (1931), as Bürgermeister - *The Office Manager* (1931), as Georg von Zamokki - *The Duke of Reichstadt* (1931), as Hofrat Gentz - *Congress Dances* (1931), as König von Sachsen - *My Wife, the Adventuress* (1931), as Mr. Knast - *The Scoundrel* (1931), as Guide - *Mary* (1931), as Sir John Menier - *The Fate of Renate Langen* (1931), as Dr. Walter Langen - *1914: The Last Days Before the War* (1931), as Leopold Graf Berchtold - *Dolly is making a career* (1930), as Eberhard - *Sei gegrüßt, Du mein schönes Sorrent* (1930), Actor - *Ehe in Not* (1929), Actor - *Giftgas* (1929), as Direktor Hansen - *Narkose* (1929), as Jean · Director - *Cagliostro* (1929), as Prince of Rohan - *Mein Herz ist eine Jazzband* (1929), as Gellony - *L'Argent* (1928), as Alphonse Gunderman - *Rasputins Liebesabenteuer* (1928), as Generaladjutant Sablin - *Strauss, the Waltz King* (1928), as Johann Strauss Vater - *Jahrmarkt des Lebens* (1928), Actor - *Das Geheimnis von Genf* (1928), Actor - *Das tanzende Wien* (1927), as Dichter - *Ein Tag der Rosen im August..* (1927), as Geheimrat Lüttjens - *The Vice of Humanity* (1927), as Mangol - *Human Law* (1927), as Radcliffe - *Die Tragödie eines Verlorenen* (1927), as Bank employee - *A Modern Dubarry* (1927), as Maler Sillon - *Metropolis* (1927), as Johann 'Joh' Fredersen — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/metropolis.md) - *Die lachende Grille* (1926), as Chopin - *People Among Us* (1926), as Helmuth Köhler - *The Guardsman* (1926), as Schauspieler - *Der Bankkrach unter den Linden* (1926), as Dr. Lothar Reimers - *The Woman in Flames* (1924), as Hans Fennhofer - *Mensch gegen Mensch* (1924), Actor - *Dudu, ein Menschenschicksal* (1924), Actor - *The Finances of the Grand Duke* (1924), as Philipp Collin, alias Professor Pelotard - *Das Spiel mit dem Schicksal* (1924), as Albert Unna - *Das Spiel der Liebe* (1924), Actor - *The Buddenbrooks* (1923), as Christian Buddenbrook - *Die Prinzessin Suwarin* (1923), as Kipman - *Die Flamme* (1923), as Gaston - *Bigamie* (1922), as Fedja - *Phantom* (1922), as Lorenz Lubota - *Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler* (1922), as Count Told — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/dr-mabuse-the-gambler.md) - *The House of Molitor* (1922), as Molitor - *The Burning Soil* (1922), as Ludwig von Lellewel - *Die Intriguen der Madame de la Pommeraye* (1922), Actor - *Die Geschichte des grauen Hauses* (1921), Actor - *Wandering Souls* (1921), as Parfen - *Mad Love* (1921), as Andreas de la Croix - *Nights of Terror* (1921), as Frank Cunning - *Mann über Bord* (1921), Actor - *Die große und die kleine Welt* (1921), as Graf Hart - *Das Opfer der Ellen Larsen* (1921), as Norbert Larsen - *Thieves on Strike* (1921), Director - *Lotte Lore* (1921), Actor - *Die Frau im Himmel* (1920), as Schoolmaster - *Die Frau ohne Seele* (1920), Actor - *Kameraden* (1919), as Axel - *Intoxication* (1919), as Gaston, ein Schriftsteller - *Die Dame, der Teufel und die Probiermamsell* (1918), as Der Baron - *Es werde Licht! 4. Teil: Sündige Mütter* (1918), as Spork - *Colomba* (1918), as Juan - *Drohende Wolken am Firmament* (1918), Actor - *Nur ein Schmetterling* (1918), Actor - *Lola Montez* (1918), as Madons, criminal - *Die nach Glück und Liebe suchen* (1918), Actor - *Ein Blatt im Sturm...doch das Schicksal hat es verweht* (1917), as Alfred - *Der Seele Saiten schwingen nicht* (1917), as Kurt von Altenstein - *Wenn Menschen reif zur Liebe werden* (1916), as Erwin - *Ernst ist das Leben* (1916), as Holger - *The White Roses* (1916), Actor - *Das Laster* (1915), Actor - *Lache, Bajazzo!* (1915), as Alfred - *The Silent Mill* (1914), as Johann - *A Venetian Night* (1914), as Anselmus Aselmeyer - *Sodoms Ende* (1913), Actor ## Gallery - ![Der Leibgardist. Spiel von Franz Molnár. Im Kleinen Theater in Berlin. 1912. Mit Claire Wallentin, Alfred Abel und Max Adalbert](https://film.one/media/person/104029/gallery-35b14eeb9dbf.jpg) Der Leibgardist. Spiel von Franz Molnár. Im Kleinen Theater in Berlin. 1912. Mit Claire Wallentin, Alfred Abel und Max Adalbert — Zander & Labisch, Berlin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Der_Leibgardist._Spiel_von_Franz_Moln%C3%A1r._Im_Kleinen_Theater_in_Berlin._1912.jpg/1280px-Der_Leibgardist._Spiel_von_Franz_Moln%C3%A1r._Im_Kleinen_Theater_in_Berlin._1912.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![A photographic still by Horst von Harbou taken on the set of Fritz Lang's Metropolis, showing Joh Fredersen (Alfred Abel), Rotwang (Rudolf Klein-Rogge) and the (1926)](https://film.one/media/person/104029/gallery-79d74c1d413d.jpg) A photographic still by Horst von Harbou taken on the set of Fritz Lang's Metropolis, showing Joh Fredersen (Alfred Abel), Rotwang (Rudolf Klein-Rogge) and the (1926) — Horst von Harbou, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/Metropolis_Joh_Fredersen%2C_Rotwang_and_Maschinenmensch_by_Horst_von_Harbou.jpg/1280px-Metropolis_Joh_Fredersen%2C_Rotwang_and_Maschinenmensch_by_Horst_von_Harbou.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![1923 US lobby card for Mad Love, the U.S. title for the German film Sappho (1921) starring Pola Negri and Alfred Abel. (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/104029/gallery-4b63b18007e1.jpg) 1923 US lobby card for Mad Love, the U.S. title for the German film Sappho (1921) starring Pola Negri and Alfred Abel. (2012) — Goldwyn Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Pola_Negri_Mad_Love_6.jpg/1280px-Pola_Negri_Mad_Love_6.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/alfred-abel