Louis Bouwmeester

Acting

Biography

Louis Frederik Johannes Bouwmeester (1842 – 1925) was a Dutch actor best known for his Shakespeare interpretations. He performed on stage in Vienna, London and Paris, and became an internationally recognised artist. From 1873 to 1879 he was director of the Salon des Variétés in Amsterdam. His career was described as "extraordinary for triumph and for variety".

Born: September 5, 1842

Place of Birth: Middelharnis, Netherlands

Known For

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The Dutch Circus

After years of touring abroad with his "Cirque Hollandais", Hendrik van Dalen returns to Holland, hoping that his brother will lend him financial support. Since the death of his wife, things have gone from bad to worse with Hendrik, who drowns his sorrow in drink. Moreover, he has set his heart on the circus-equestrienne, who pretends to love him but is having an affair with the company's wrestler. By encouraging Hendrik to drink, they hope to get their hands on his possessions. Hendrik's daughter sees through their designs and, with the aid of the clown Louisot, tries to foil their plans.

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Cursed Money

Snuders, an avaricious boat-owner, insures his boat The Joanna against accident very much above its value, and then conspires with Verhoff, a notorious drunkard and unprincipled scoundrel, to lose it at sea. The latter agrees to carry out the plan for a consideration of 300 florins, and the bargain is concluded. To lend colour to the affair, Snuders also engages young Tijen as crew, and, despite the entreaties of his sweetheart, Trunski, the latter signs on. Out at sea Tijen discovers a paper which warns him of the villainy which is on foot. But Verhoff acts quickly, and, whilst the young sailor is sleeping in the cabin, the drunkard locks him in, fires the boat, and himself makes good his escape.

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The Grip

Jean-Marie Hardouin is an old man who once was notorious because of the iron grip he exerted on his family but now he is lame. He whiles away his days in a chair in the house of his son and daughter-in-law. He has to see how his adulterous daughter-in-law plots to murder her two foster children and her husband. Jean-Marie can't intervene and because he can't talk he can't warn his own family. Misfortune, tragic developments, and a fatal ending dominated many of the early Dutch fiction films.

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Pro Domo

Count De Grancé have two degenerate children. For the adolescent daughter there is still some hope, as her main vice appears to be that she devours the novels of Emile Zola. The son leads a dissolute life in gambling dens, where he cheats at cards, and in night-clubs he associates with dancers. [As of 2024, it appears only a 12-minute fragment of the film survives, at EYE Filmmuseum.]

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The Devil in Amsterdam

The devil has arrived in Amsterdam, hell-bent on bombarding a poor girl, a wealthy banker and a young painter with great misfortune. This film is presumed lost.

Filmography

1924

The Dutch Circus

as Hendrik van Dalen

1919

The Devil in Amsterdam

as Bankier Van Rijn

1918

Pro Domo

as Graaf Louis de Prebois Grancé

1911

Cursed Money

as Verhoff

1909

The Grip

as Jean-Marie Hardouin