Karl Freund

Karl Freund

Known for: Camera
Biography: 1890-01-16
Deathday: 1969-05-03 (79 years old)

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Biography

​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  


Karl W. Freund, A.S.C. (January 16, 1890-May 3, 1969) was a cinematographer and film director. Born in Dvůr Králové (Königinhof), Bohemia, his career began in 1905 when, at age 15, he got a job as an assistant projectionist for a film company in Berlin where his family moved in 1901. He worked as a cinematographer on over 100 films, including the German Expressionist films The Golem (1920), The Last Laugh (1924) and Metropolis (1927). Freund emigrated to the United States in 1929 where he continued to shoot well remembered films such as Dracula (1931) and Key Largo (1948). He won an Academy Award for Best Cinematography for The Good Earth (1937).


In 1937, he went to Germany to bring his only daughter, Gerda Maria Freund, back to the United States, saving her from almost certain death in the concentration camps. Karl's ex-wife, Susette Freund (née Liepmannssohn), remained in Germany where she was interned at the Ravensbrück concentration camp and eventually taken in March, 1942 to Bernburg Euthanasia Center where she was murdered.


Between 1921 and 1935, Freund also directed ten films, of which the best known are probably The Mummy (1932) starring Boris Karloff, and his last film as director, Mad Love (1935) starring Peter Lorre. Freund's only known film as an actor is Carl Dreyer's Michael (1924) in which he has a cameo as a sycophantic art dealer who saves the tobacco ashes dropped by a famous painter. At the beginning of the 1950s, he was persuaded by Desi Arnaz at Desilu to be the cinematographer in 1951 for the televisions series I Love Lucy. Critics have credited Freund for the show's lustrous black and white cinematography, but more importantly, Freund designed the "flat lighting" system for shooting sitcoms that is still in use today. This system covers the set in light, thus eliminating shadows and allowing the use of three moving cameras without having to modify the lighting in-between shots. And where Freund did not invent the three camera shooting system, he did perfect it for use with film cameras in front of a live audience. Freund and his production team also worked on other sitcoms produced at/through Desilu such as "Our Miss Brooks".


Description above from the Wikipedia article Karl Freund, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Filmography

all 149

Movies 148

Director 51

Producer 3

self 2

Writer 2

TV Shows 1

Cinematographer
I Love Lucy: The Movie

I Love Lucy: The Movie (1953)

Movie
Self
Deutscher Filmpreis

Deutscher Filmpreis (1951)

TV
Cinematographer
Bright Leaf

Bright Leaf (1950)

Movie
Director of Photography
Montana

Montana (1950)

Movie
Cinematographer
South of St. Louis

South of St. Louis (1949)

Movie
6
Cinematographer
The Decision of Christopher Blake

The Decision of Christopher Blake (1948)

Movie
Cinematographer
Key Largo

Key Largo (1948)

Movie
1
Director of Photography
Wallflower

Wallflower (1948)

Movie
Cinematographer
That Hagen Girl

That Hagen Girl (1947)

Movie
Director of Photography
This Time for Keeps

This Time for Keeps (1947)

Movie
Director of Photography
Undercurrent

Undercurrent (1946)

Movie
Director of Photography
Two Smart People

Two Smart People (1946)

Movie
Director of Photography
A Letter for Evie

A Letter for Evie (1946)

Movie
Director of Photography
Dangerous Partners

Dangerous Partners (1945)

Movie
Director of Photography
Without Love

Without Love (1945)

Movie
Director of Photography
The Thin Man Goes Home

The Thin Man Goes Home (1944)

Movie
5.52
Cinematographer
The Seventh Cross

The Seventh Cross (1944)

Movie
Director of Photography
A Guy Named Joe

A Guy Named Joe (1943)

Movie
Director of Photography
Cry 'Havoc'

Cry 'Havoc' (1943)

Movie
Director of Photography
Du Barry was a Lady

Du Barry was a Lady (1943)

Movie
Director of Photography
A Yank at Eton

A Yank at Eton (1942)

Movie
Cinematographer
The War Against Mrs. Hadley

The War Against Mrs. Hadley (1942)

Movie
Director of Photography
The Affairs of Martha

The Affairs of Martha (1942)

Movie
Director of Photography
Tortilla Flat

Tortilla Flat (1942)

Movie
Director of Photography
The Chocolate Soldier

The Chocolate Soldier (1941)

Movie
Director of Photography
Blossoms in the Dust

Blossoms in the Dust (1941)

Movie
Self
You Can't Fool a Camera

You Can't Fool a Camera (1941)

Movie
Camera Operator
Comrade X

Comrade X (1940)

Movie
Director of Photography
Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice (1940)

Movie
Cinematographer
We Who Are Young

We Who Are Young (1940)

Movie
Cinematographer
Florian

Florian (1940)

Movie
Cinematographer
Green Hell

Green Hell (1940)

Movie
Director of Photography
The Earl of Chicago

The Earl of Chicago (1940)

Movie
Director of Photography
Balalaika

Balalaika (1939)

Movie
Cinematographer
Barricade

Barricade (1939)

Movie
Director of Photography
Golden Boy

Golden Boy (1939)

Movie
Cinematographer
Rose of Washington Square

Rose of Washington Square (1939)

Movie
Cinematographer
Tail Spin

Tail Spin (1939)

Movie
Director of Photography
Letter of Introduction

Letter of Introduction (1938)

Movie
Director of Photography
Port of Seven Seas

Port of Seven Seas (1938)

Movie
Director of Photography
Three Comrades

Three Comrades (1938)

Movie
Director of Photography
Man-Proof

Man-Proof (1938)

Movie
Director of Photography
Conquest

Conquest (1937)

Movie
4
Cinematographer
Parnell

Parnell (1937)

Movie
Director of Photography
The Good Earth

The Good Earth (1937)

Movie
Director of Photography
Camille

Camille (1936)

Movie
Cinematographer
The Great Ziegfeld

The Great Ziegfeld (1936)

Movie
Director
Mad Love

Mad Love (1935)

Movie
5
Director
Gift of Gab

Gift of Gab (1934)

Movie
Director
I Give My Love

I Give My Love (1934)

Movie
Director
The Countess of Monte Cristo

The Countess of Monte Cristo (1934)

Movie
Director
Madame Spy

Madame Spy (1934)

Movie
Director
Moonlight and Pretzels

Moonlight and Pretzels (1933)

Movie
Director of Photography
The Kiss Before the Mirror

The Kiss Before the Mirror (1933)

Movie
Cinematographer
Afraid to Talk

Afraid to Talk (1932)

Movie
Cinematographer
Air Mail

Air Mail (1932)

Movie
Director of Photography
Back Street

Back Street (1932)

Movie
Cinematographer
Scandal for Sale

Scandal for Sale (1932)

Movie
Director of Photography
Murders in the Rue Morgue

Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932)

Movie
5.73
Director
The Mummy

The Mummy (1932)

Movie
5.66
Cinematographer
Strictly Dishonorable

Strictly Dishonorable (1931)

Movie
Cinematographer
Personal Maid

Personal Maid (1931)

Movie
Cinematographer
Up for Murder

Up for Murder (1931)

Movie
Director of Photography
The Bad Sister

The Bad Sister (1931)

Movie
Director
Dracula

Dracula (1931)

Movie
5.88
Director of Photography
The Boudoir Diplomat

The Boudoir Diplomat (1930)

Movie
Director of Photography
The Lottery Bride

The Lottery Bride (1930)

Movie
Director of Photography
All Quiet on the Western Front

All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

Movie
5.13
Cinematographer
Sleeping Partners

Sleeping Partners (1930)

Movie
Cinematographer
Fräulein Else

Fräulein Else (1929)

Movie
Director of Photography
A Knight in London

A Knight in London (1928)

Movie
Cinematographer
Lady Juan

Lady Juan (1928)

Movie
Writer
Berlin: Symphony of a Great City

Berlin: Symphony of a Great City (1927)

Movie
Producer
Der Sohn der Hagar

Der Sohn der Hagar (1927)

Movie
Director of Photography / Camera Operator
Metropolis

Metropolis (1927)

Movie
6.13
Producer
Madame Wants No Children

Madame Wants No Children (1926)

Movie
Producer
Adventures of a Ten Mark Note

Adventures of a Ten Mark Note (1926)

Movie
Cinematographer
Manon Lescaut

Manon Lescaut (1926)

Movie
Cinematographer
Tartuffe

Tartuffe (1926)

Movie
Cinematographer
Variety

Variety (1925)

Movie
Director of Photography
The Last Laugh

The Last Laugh (1924)

Movie
4.87
Cinematographer
Michael

Michael (1924)

Movie
Cinematographer
The Finances of the Grand Duke

The Finances of the Grand Duke (1924)

Movie
Cinematographer
Driven from Home

Driven from Home (1923)

Movie
Cinematographer
Der Tiger des Zirkus Farini

Der Tiger des Zirkus Farini (1923)

Movie
Cinematographer
Tiefland

Tiefland (1923)

Movie
Cinematographer
Herzog Ferrantes Ende

Herzog Ferrantes Ende (1922)

Movie
Cinematographer
Lucrezia Borgia

Lucrezia Borgia (1922)

Movie
Director of Photography
The Burning Soil

The Burning Soil (1922)

Movie
Cinematographer
Marizza

Marizza (1922)

Movie
Cinematographer
Kinder der Finsternis - 2. Kämpfende Welten

Kinder der Finsternis - 2. Kämpfende Welten (1922)

Movie
Cinematographer
Das blinde Glück

Das blinde Glück (1922)

Movie
Cinematographer
Kinder der Finsternis - 1. Der Mann aus Neapel

Kinder der Finsternis - 1. Der Mann aus Neapel (1921)

Movie
Cinematographer
Torgus

Torgus (1921)

Movie
Cinematographer
The Rats

The Rats (1921)

Movie
Cinematographer
Der verlorene Schatten

Der verlorene Schatten (1921)

Movie
Cinematographer
Die Frau im Delphin, oder 30 Tage auf dem Meeresgrund

Die Frau im Delphin, oder 30 Tage auf dem Meeresgrund (1920)

Movie
Director of Photography
The Golem: How He Came into the World

The Golem: How He Came into the World (1920)

Movie
Cinematographer
Catherine the Great

Catherine the Great (1920)

Movie
Cinematographer
Panic in the House of Ardon

Panic in the House of Ardon (1920)

Movie
Cinematographer
The Head of Janus

The Head of Janus (1920)

Movie
Cinematographer
The Hunchback and the Dancer

The Hunchback and the Dancer (1920)

Movie
Cinematographer
The Spiders - The Diamond Ship

The Spiders - The Diamond Ship (1920)

Movie
Cinematographer
Satanas

Satanas (1920)

Movie
Cinematographer
The Spiders - Episode 1: The Golden Sea

The Spiders - Episode 1: The Golden Sea (1919)

Movie
Cinematographer
Die Arche. 2. Teil: Die letzten Menschen

Die Arche. 2. Teil: Die letzten Menschen (1919)

Movie
Cinematographer
The Arc

The Arc (1919)

Movie
Cinematographer
Intoxication

Intoxication (1919)

Movie
Cinematographer
Emerald of Death

Emerald of Death (1919)

Movie
Camera Department Manager / Cinematography
Augen

Augen (1919)

Movie
Cinematographer
Die Dame, der Teufel und die Probiermamsell

Die Dame, der Teufel und die Probiermamsell (1918)

Movie
Cinematographer
Die blaue Laterne

Die blaue Laterne (1918)

Movie
Cinematographer
Die Heimkehr des Odysseus

Die Heimkehr des Odysseus (1918)

Movie
Cinematographer
Die Sieger

Die Sieger (1918)

Movie
Cinematographer
Das Maskenfest des Lebens

Das Maskenfest des Lebens (1918)

Movie
Cinematographer
Agnes Arnau und ihre drei Freier

Agnes Arnau und ihre drei Freier (1918)

Movie
Cinematographer
Das Geschlecht derer von Ringwall

Das Geschlecht derer von Ringwall (1918)

Movie
Cinematographer
Auf Probe gestellt

Auf Probe gestellt (1918)

Movie
Cinematographer
Countess Kitchenmaid

Countess Kitchenmaid (1918)

Movie
Director of Photography
The Giant's Fist

The Giant's Fist (1917)

Movie
Cinematographer
Die Claudi vom Geiserhof

Die Claudi vom Geiserhof (1917)

Movie
Cinematographer
Gefangene Seele

Gefangene Seele (1917)

Movie
Cinematographer
Die Prinzessin von Neutralien

Die Prinzessin von Neutralien (1917)

Movie
Cinematographer
Christa Hartungen

Christa Hartungen (1917)

Movie
Cinematographer
Der Liebesbrief der Königin

Der Liebesbrief der Königin (1917)

Movie
Cinematographer
Die Ehe der Luise Rohrbach

Die Ehe der Luise Rohrbach (1917)

Movie
Director of Photography
White Roses

White Roses (1916)

Movie
Cinematographer
The White Roses

The White Roses (1916)

Movie
Cinematographer
The Robber Bride

The Robber Bride (1916)

Movie
Cinematographer
Das wandernde Licht

Das wandernde Licht (1916)

Movie
Cinematographer
Little Angel's Wedding

Little Angel's Wedding (1916)

Movie
Cinematographer
Frontstairs and Backstairs

Frontstairs and Backstairs (1916)

Movie
Cinematographer
Die Ewige Nacht

Die Ewige Nacht (1916)

Movie
Cinematographer
Frau Eva

Frau Eva (1916)

Movie
Cinematographer
The Queen's Secretary

The Queen's Secretary (1916)

Movie
Cinematographer
The Man in the Mirror

The Man in the Mirror (1916)

Movie
Cinematographer
Bummelstudenten

Bummelstudenten (1916)

Movie
Cinematographer
Die Tochter der Landstrasse

Die Tochter der Landstrasse (1915)

Movie
Director of Photography
The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1914)

Movie
Cinematographer
A Venetian Night

A Venetian Night (1914)

Movie
Writer
Das Feuer

Das Feuer (1914)

Movie
Cinematographer
Zapata's Gang

Zapata's Gang (1914)

Movie
Cinematographer
Das Kind ruft

Das Kind ruft (1914)

Movie
Cinematographer
Little Angel

Little Angel (1914)

Movie
Cinematographer
The Film Prima Donna

The Film Prima Donna (1913)

Movie
Cinematographer
S1

S1 (1913)

Movie
Cinematographer
The Suffragette

The Suffragette (1913)

Movie
Cinematographer
Poor Mother

Poor Mother (1912)

Movie
Cinematographer
Gypsy Blood

Gypsy Blood (1911)

Movie

Ratings

Average 4.76
Based on 527 Thousand movie and tv ratings over time
1911
1918
1927
1919
1953
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Information

Known For
Camera

Gender
Male

Birthday
1890-01-16

Deathday
1969-05-03 (79 years old)

Birth Place
Dvůr Králové nad Labem, Czech Republic

Citizenships
Weimar Republic, German Empire, Austria-Hungary, United States of America

Also Known As
Carl Freund, Karl W. Freund

Awards
Academy Award for Best Cinematography


This article uses material from Wikipedia.
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