Gus Meins

Biography[]

Character: Director
Birthday: March 6, 1893
Place of Birth: Frankfurt, Germany
Date of Death: August 1, 1940
Place of Death: La Crescenta, California
First Short: Second Childhood
Last Short: Hi'-Neighbor!
Number of Shorts: 16
History: Gus Meins was German-American film director best known for directing short films in the 1920s and 1930s, most notably the Our Gang and Buster Brown series.
Born Gustave Peter Ludwig Luley on March 6, 1893 in Frankfurt, Germany, Meins started out as a cartoonist with the Los Angeles Evening Herald and broke into movies at Fox in 1919. He also worked at Mack Sennett Studios briefly before moving to Universal Studios where he directed movies like "Let George Do It." He also directed two Our Gang inspired series, "The Newlyweds and Their Baby" and "Buster Brown," alternating with Frances Corby before moving on to become senior director at Hal Roach Studos sometime around 1935.
At Hal Roach Studios, Meins directed the Our Gang comedies from 1934 to 1936 and helmed several of the most popular of the Laurel and Hardy films, such as "Babes in Toyland," as well as films with Charley Chase, Thelma Todd and Zasu Pitts.
Meins eventually left Hal Roach Studios over creative differences on the 1937 fim, "nobody's Perfect." He was replaced by Gordon Douglas, his assistant director, who became senior director. Meins went on to Republic Pictures where he directed films, such as "The Californian," "Should Husbands Work" and "Earl of Puddlestone."
In the Summer of 1940, Meins was accused of sex offenses against six youths and forced prosecution. He left his home on August 1, 1940 and later was found dead a few days later in his car, having committed suicide by inhaling carbon monoxide days earlier. Hal Roach gave the eulogy at his funeral.

List of Shorts[]

Other Works[]

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