 He worked with F. W. Murnau on "Der Letzte Mann" (1924, known as "The Last Laugh" in the English-speaking world) in Germany, and he also wrote the scenario for Murnau's "Sunrise" (1927), made during Murnau's stay in Hollywood.Mayer also co-wrote "" (1927) with Karl Freund and Walter Ruttmann.Being Jewish as well as a pacifist, Mayer thought it best to leave Germany when the Nazis came to power.