Adriënne Solser

Biography

Adriënne Solser was the daughter of Johannes Solser, the general manager of a touring revue company. She took to the stage at a young age, and in the 1910s blossomed into one of the Netherlands’ most popular revue artists. For a time, she formed part of a duo with the music-hall singer and chansonnier Chrétienni.

She also achieved great success with her roles as ‘Amsterdam's working-class woman’ -- on the stage, but also in the Bet films (four comedic feature films based on a character called Bet). During the screenings, Solser performed the songs from the films live. She continued doing this into the 1930s, when sound film had already become widespread.

The Bet films were produced by Solser’s company Hollando-Belgica Film Mij. Eureka. Solser also co-directed the first two films. The third and fourth Bet films were directed by her son André Boesnach, who died in 1928 during the shooting of Bet naar de Olympiade. This final Bet film was eventually completed by Theo Frenkel Sr.

In addition to acting, producing, and directing, Solser also spent a number of years running a film school that was affiliated with her film company.