Karl Freund

19.01.1890, Dvůr Králové nad Labem - 03.05.1969, Santa Monica

German Bohemian and American cinematographer and film director known for Metropolis (1927), Dracula (1931), and I Love Lucy (1951–1957). He was an innovator in the field of cinematography, often noted as a pioneer of the camera technique without shackles.

He started his career in 1905 when, at the age of 15, he was engaged in the films of Alfred Duskes. In 1907, he started working at the International Cinematographic Society.

The Imperial Army drafted Freund to fight in World War I, but he was discharged after only three months.

In 1911, Freund moved to Belgrade to establish a film laboratory for the Savić brothers. He worked as cinematographer on over 100 films, including the German Expressionist films Golem (1920) and The Last Laugh (1924).

Freund worked with director Fritz Lang on several projects, of which Metropolis (1927) is the most famous. He was the co-writer and cinematographer of Berlin: Symphony of the Metropolis (1927), directed by Walter Ruttmann. Between 1926 and 1929 he was head of production at Fox Europa Film.

Filmography

Films by this director

The Mummy

(USA, 1932)

Directed by: Karl Freund

PHOTOGRAPHY: Charles Stumar

Synopsis:

In 1921, an expedition of the prestigious British Museum led by Sir Joseph Whemple found a well-preserved mummy in Egypt. Their satisfaction is only slightly spoiled by the revelations of Whemple's close associate Dr. Muller that the deceased was embalmed and buried in an unconventional manner, and that a curse was placed on his coffin. When left alone with the coffin containing the mummy, Sir Joseph's enthusiastic young assistant Ralph Norton breaks it open on his own initiative, finds the anci...

b/w, 73'

Dracula

(USA, 1931 | Mjesto prikazivanja filma: Centar za kulturu Histrionski dom (Ilica 90))

Directed by: Tod Browning

PHOTOGRAPHY: Karl Freund

Synopsis:

In the carriage that travels through the Carpathians towards Transylvania during Walpurgis Night before May 1, the only passenger is lawyer and real estate agent Renfield. His task is to arrange for Count Dracula, who lives in the castle of the same name, to rent Carfax Abbey near London, where the count intends to live. When he arrives in a nearby village before going to the castle, Renfield learns at the inn that the locals believe that vampires live in the castle, and he is warned not to go t...

b/w, 75'

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