Biography
Emma Minna Hildebrand (10 September 1897 in Hanover – 27 May 1976 in Berlin-Grunewald) was a German stage and film actress and chanson singer.
Hilde Hildebrand was the daughter of the mechanic Julius Christian Hildebrand and his wife Luise, née Weinrich. At the age of eight, she became a member of the ballet at the Hanover Court Theatre, and in 1913 she joined the ballet ensemble of the Residenztheater. After completing acting training, she made her theatre debut in 1914 and initially performed under the name Emmy Hildebrand.
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After the First World War, she became known as a revue performer, particularly on Berlin stages during the late 1920s. She appeared in the Nelson revues "Es hat geklingelt" and "Etwas für Sie". Together with Gustaf Gründgens, she recorded the duet "Oh Gott, wie sind wir vornehm" from Eduard Künneke’s operetta "Liselott".
Hilde Hildebrand first appeared in several silent films. With the transition to sound film, she achieved greater recognition and took on prominent roles in a number of well-known productions during the 1930s, including "Viktor und Viktoria", "Allotria", "Bel Ami", and "Amphitryon – Aus den Wolken kommt das Glück". She frequently portrayed sophisticated women in society comedies. In 1944, she was included in the so-called Gottbegnadeten list of the Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda.
Her film performances often featured musical interludes, and she was also active as a chanson singer. Composers such as Peter Kreuder, Theo Mackeben, Michael Jary, and Franz Doelle wrote songs for her. Many of her recordings were made with the ensemble "Die Goldene Sieben". Her repertoire included titles such as "Komm, spiel mit mir Blindekuh", "Beim ersten Mal da tut’s noch weh", "Liebe ist ein Geheimnis", "Mein Herz hat Heimweh", and "Nachts ging das Telefon".
After the Second World War, Hilde Hildebrand continued working as a stage actress, appearing in productions such as "Die Irre von Chaillot" and "Der Besuch der alten Dame". She also acted in various television films. Her last known stage role was in 1971 in "Tango" by Sławomir Mrożek at the Freie Volksbühne Berlin.
Hilde Hildebrand never married. She was found dead in her apartment in Berlin-Grunewald on 27 May 1976 at the age of 78. Her grave is located at the Heerstraße Cemetery in Berlin-Westend.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.