German composer, born 6 April 1894 in Neustadt am Rennsteig, Germany, died 12 February 1964 in Vienna, Austria
Willy Schmidt-Gentner remained a busy film composer after the war and his scores accompanied a lot of feature movies till to the middle of the 50s.
The film composer Willy Schmidt-Gentner belonged to the most busy composer of the German and Austrian film, especially during the 20s and 30s.
He made a smooth transition to the sound film of the 30s.
Beside his activity as a film composer Willy Schmidt-Gentner also directed two movies - "Die Pompadour" (1935) and "Prater" (1935).
As a child he already got lessons in violin and composition.
He wrote the music for numerous well-known silent movies, among them "Nathan der Weise" , "I.N.R.I." Mata Hari, die rote Tnzerin" and "Frau im Mond".
In the movie "Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler" (22) he impersonated a small role as an actor.
Movies excited him, so wrote his own film compositions and soon he became a very demanded film composer.
His career progression in the film business was coming into being on a very unusual way. He made his first contact with the film business as a taux auditor of cinema operators. Because music played an important role in his life since his childhood he took over the function of bandmaster and he accompanied silent movies with a live orchestra.
He went to Austria in 1933 where he again was engaged for many productions.
