Betty Amann

Philippine Amann (10 March 1905 – 2 or 3 August 1990), known professionally as Betty Amann, was an American film actress. Born to American parents in the German Empire, she began her acting career in the United States with the film The Kick-Off. She is perhaps best known for her role in Asphalt (1929).

Early years Philippine Amann was born in 1905 (some sources say 1906 or 1907 ) in Pirmasens to a Swiss-German Lutheran family. She has also been referred to as Jewish. Raised in America, Amann studied painting at the National Academy School of Fine Arts in New York; she had been an intent lover of art and painting since childhood.

Career

Amann acted in small parts at the May Palace Theater before making her screen debut in The Kick-Off (1926), credited as Bee Amann. She next appeared in seven Mack Sennett short comedies, including The Campus Vamp (1928), which also featured a pre-Hollywood fame Carole Lombard.

Her first major film role was in the western Trail of the Horse Thieves (1929). In 1928, she traveled to Germany, where she met Erich Pommer and Joe May, who picked her for the female lead in Asphalt (1929). It was Pommer who gave Amann the pseudonym Betty.

Amann died of Alzheimers on 2 or 3 August 1990. She was cremated at Ferncliff Crematorium in Hartsdale, New York on 4 August 1990 and buried at Willowbrook Cemetery in Westport, Connecticut on 23 May 1991.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1926 The Kick-Off Ruth Credited as Bee Amann 1928 Smith's Holiday Short, uncredited role 1928 The Beach Club Short, uncredited role 1928 A Simple Sap She Short 1928 The Best Man Short, uncredited role 1928 The Campus Carmen Short; extra, uncredited role 1928 Motorboat Mamas Catalina, Café Patron Short, uncredited role 1928 Hubby's Weekend Trip Charley's 2nd girlfriend Short, credited as Bee Amann 1928 The Campus Vamp Short, uncredited role 1929 Trail of the Horse Thieves Amy Taggart Credited as Bee Amann 1929 Asphalt Else Kramer 1929 The Rodeo Short, uncredited role 1929 The Convict from Istanbul Hilde Wollwarth 1930 The White Devil Saira 1930 Niebezpieczny romans Ada 1930 The Great Longing Herself 1930 Oh Those Glorious Old Student Days Norma, dessen Tochter 1930 Hans in Every Street Nelly, die Andere 1931 The Song of the Nations 1931 The Perfect Lady Jacqueline Dubarry 1931 Rich and Strange (German title Endlich sind wir reich) The Princess 1931 Strictly Business Theodora Smith 1931 Pyjamas Preferred Violet Ray 1933 The Big Bluff Marion Millner 1933 Daughters of Today Joan 1933 The Little Crook Gwendoline 1933 Tugboat M 17 Gescha 1933 Strictly in Confidence Rita Short 1938 In Old Mexico Janet Leeds 1939 Nancy Drew... Reporter Eula Denning 1943 Isle of Forgotten Sins Olga Final film role