Biography

Crusty German character actress, the daughter of a Prussian officer and a Dutch stage actress. She made her theatrical debut in Berlin at the age of fifteen in 1878. Performed in Vienna between 1889 and 1895, at the same time romantically linked to playwright Arthur Schnitzler. Ensemble member of the Deutsches Theater, 1905-1910. She was basically a tragedienne, even essaying male roles (eg. Hamlet). Sandrock entered films well into middle age and was one of the most prolific actresses from the mid-1920's, up until her death. She specialised in despotic or imperious matrons, aristocrats, aunts, mothers-in-law or henpecking wives. Sandrock never married, living in Berlin with her older sister.

The actress Adele Sandrock was the "primary rock" of the German movie in 20's and 30's. She was an actress through and through. When she began to storm on the screen or on the stage she was able as a dominant "dragon" to intimidate the strongest character, but she could also be cheering and tactfully.

The new century involved a new sort of acting and Adele Sandrock didn't go down well with her obsolete performance. But this changed at the end of the 10's when she had great success as funny old woman because of her traditional style, the melodious speech and her grandeur.

She became established as a great character actress with her engagement at the legendary Burgtheater in 1895.

In the circle of the actors and actresses she was respectful designated as "Aunt Sadele" who knew how to tyrannize the environment in the movies as well as her private life with witty remarks.