John Rudolph Freuler (November 17, 18721958) was an American businessman in the film industry who owned theaters, film exchanges, and film studios. He signed

Charlie Chaplin Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin (16 April 188925 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, the Tramp, and is considered o ...

to a lucrative contract at

Mutual Film Mutual Film Corporation was an early American film conglomerate that produced some of Charlie Chaplin's greatest comedies. Founded in 1912, it was absorbed by Film Booking Offices of America, which evolved into RKO Pictures. Founding Mutual ...

. Later in his career he owned Monarch Films studio. The Chicago History Museum has a collection of his papers.

Biography

Freuler was born in

Monroe, Wisconsin Monroe is a city in Green County, Wisconsin, United States, and its county seat. The population was 10,661 at the 2020 census. The city is bordered by the town of Monroe to the north and the town of Clarno to the south. It is nicknamed the "C ...

and schooled in Milwaukee. His father had emigrated from Switzerland. Freuler studied at

Spencerian Business College Spencerian Business College is the name of various business schools established in the 19th century by Platt R. Spencer, his son Robert C. Spencer, or by Enos Spencer (whose relation to the other two Spencers is unclear), sometimes in association ...

. Early in his career he worked in the real estate business. He opened a theater in 1905 and after he sold it, he opened a film exchange. In 1910, Freuler formed a partnership with Chicago film distributor

Samuel S. Hutchinson Samuel is a figure who, in the narratives of the Hebrew Bible, plays a key role in the transition from the biblical judges to the United Kingdom of Israel under Saul, and again in the monarchy's transition from Saul to David. He is venerated a ...

, establishing the

American Film Manufacturing Company The American Film Manufacturing Company, also known as Flying “A” Studios, was an American film, motion picture production company. In 1915, the formal name was changed to the American Film Company. History The American Film Manufacturi ...

. In 1912 he helped organize the

Mutual Film Corporation Mutual Film Corporation was an early American film conglomerate that produced some of Charlie Chaplin's greatest comedies. Founded in 1912, it was absorbed by Film Booking Offices of America, which evolved into RKO Pictures. Founding Mutual' ...

. Freuler and

Harry Aitken Harry E. Aitken (October 4, 1877August 1, 1956) was an American film studio executive and producer. Life He was born on October 4, 1877. He grew up on a family farm near Goerke's Corners, Wisconsin. The brothers operated Keystone Studios and ...

, who worked together on film projects, had both grown up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was photographed with Charlie Chaplin and his brother Sydney Chaplin signing the Mutual Film contract. In the 1930s he established Freuler Film Associates, a film production company that produced westerns starring

Tom Tyler Tom Tyler (August 9, 1903 – May 1, 1954) was an American actor known for his leading roles in low-budget Western films, and for his portrayal of superheroes in movie serials ''The Adventures of Captain Marvel'' and ''The Phantom''. Tyler als ...

. Freuler Associates set up a Monarch Melodramas division to release action films.

Personal life

He married Augusta J."Jessie" Golz and had two daughters. His brother-in-law, Otto E. Golz (1876-1917), was the Milwaukee, Wisconsin branch manager of Mutual Film. (Motion Picture News Vol 16, page 3652).

Filmography

*''

Beyond the Rio Grande ''Beyond the Rio Grande'' is a 1930 American pre-Code western film directed by Harry S. Webb and starring Jack Perrin, Franklyn Farnum and Jay Wilsey.Munden, p. 55 Plot Cast * Jack Perrin as Bert Allen * Franklyn Farnum as Joe Kemp * Charli ...

'' (1930), presenter * ''

Take the Heir ''Take the Heir'' is a 1930 American synchronized comedy sound film directed by Lloyd Ingraham and starring Edward Everett Horton, Dorothy Devore and Edythe Chapman.Pitts p.62 While the film has no audible dialog, it was released with a synchroni ...

'' (1930)

Freuler Film Associates

*'' The Fighting Gentleman'' (1932) *''

The Savage Girl The Savage Girl may refer to: * The Savage Girl (film), a 1932 American pre-Code film * The Savage Girl (novel), a 2001 novel by Alex Shakar {{DEFAULTSORT:Savage Girl, The ...

'' (1932) *''

The Forty-Niners 49er or Forty-niner most often refers to: *A miner or other person that took part in the 1849 California Gold Rush *San Francisco 49ers, an American football team 49er or Forty-niner may also refer to: Sports * Charlotte 49ers, athletic tea ...

'' (1932) *'' The Gambling Sex'' (1932) *''

Deadwood Pass Deadwood Pass is a 1933 American Western pre-Code film directed by J.P. McGowan and starring Tom Tyler, Alice Dahl, and Wally Wales. The film was shot in Newhall, Santa Clarita, CaliforniaSchneider, Jerry L. ''Western Movie Making Locations V ...

'' (1933) *''

War of the Range ''War of the Range'' is a 1933 American pre-Code Western film directed by J.P. McGowan and starring Tom Tyler, Charles K. French and Lane Chandler.Pitts p. 386 It was the last of the Tom Tyler Westerns made by the independent Poverty Row compa ...

'' (1933) *'' Kiss of Araby'' (1933) *'' Marriage on Approval'' (1933) *'' When a Man Rides Alone'' (1933) *'' The Penal Code'' (1932) *''

Easy Millions ''Easy Millions'' is a 1933 American comedy film directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and starring Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher, Dorothy Burgess and Merna Kennedy.Pitts p.161 Plot Cast * Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher * Dorothy Burgess * Merna Kennedy ...

'' (1933) *''

Secrets of Hollywood Secrecy is the practice of hiding information from certain individuals or groups who do not have the "need to know", perhaps while sharing it with other individuals. That which is kept hidden is known as the secret. Secrecy is often controver ...

'' (1933) *''

Love Past Thirty ''Love Past Thirty'' is a 1934 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Vin Moore and starring Aileen Pringle, Theodore von Eltz and Phyllis Barry.Pitts, pg. 158 Plot After she is ditched by her boyfriend for her younger niece, a woman develop ...

'' (1934)

Monarch Film Corporation melodramas

*'' The Fighting Gentleman'' (1932) * '' The Gambling Sex'' (1932) *''

The Savage Girl The Savage Girl may refer to: * The Savage Girl (film), a 1932 American pre-Code film * The Savage Girl (novel), a 2001 novel by Alex Shakar {{DEFAULTSORT:Savage Girl, The ...

'' (1932) *'' The Forty-Niners (1932 film)'' (1932) *''

The Penal Code ''The Penal Code'' is a 1932 American crime drama film directed by George Melford. Plot A man serves time in prison, going to disguise his whereabouts from his family. After he is released a blackmail scheme ensues. Cast *Regis Toomey as R ...

'' (1932) *'' Kiss of Araby'' (1933) *''

'' (1933) *''

'' (1933) *'' Marriage on Approval'' (1933) *'' When a Man Rides Alone'' (1933) *''

'' (1933) *''

'' (1934) *''

Twenty Dollars a Week (1935 film) ''$20 a Week'' is a 1935 American melodrama film directed by Wesley Ford and starring James Murray, Pauline Starke, and Gwen Lee. It was released on February 2, 1935. Plot Sally Blair, a feisty young stenographer is in the employ of a Mr. Wa ...

'' (1935)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Freuler, John R. American people of Swiss descent People from Monroe, Wisconsin 1872 births 1958 deaths Filmmakers from Milwaukee