KARLOFF IN 'NIGHT WORLD'

Released on May 5, 1932, the Universal Pictures crime-drama NIGHT WORLD starred Boris Karloff as "Happy" MacDonald, the owner of a Prohibition-era nightclub. Also starring in the film were Lew Ayers, Mae Clarke, George Raft and Hedda Hopper before she became better known as a Hollywood gossip columnist.

This photo of Karloff appeared in the May 1932 issue of THE NEW MOVIE MAGAZINE in their "Gallery of Famous Film Folk". Mentioned in the caption is Karloff playing the role of the upcoming THE INVISIBLE MAN. That, of course, would go to Claude Rains and wouldn't be released until a year later. Instead, Karloff's next feature would cast him as Morgan in James Whale's THE OLD DARK HOUSE. The photograph is by Roman Freulich.

UNIVERSAL LADIES BY ROMAN FREULICH

Here are more of Roman Freulich's studio photographs. This set features ladies who appeared in Universal's horror films.

EXTRA!

CLAUDE RAINS PORTRAITS BY ROMAN FREULICH

Hollywood studio photography has always fascinated me. A select few -- and really remarkable -- photographers were tasked with immortalizing film stars. The light, the shadow, and the subject's expression are all key elements in what makes these images so great. What is also amazing is that when you expand the image, many of them ares so sharp you can even see the pores of their skin.

This was all accomplished decades before digital photography, when the 35mm camera reigned supreme in the hands (and eyes) of studio photographers. One such expert was Roman Freulich, who worked with his older brother Jack at Universal Studios for a number of years. Together they produced some of the most iconic images of the classic film era.

Shown below are portraits of Claude Rains by Roman Freulich. The first three are from THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD (1935). Rains was 45-years-old when he starred in the film. A number of other familiar Universal horror film actors appeared in it as well: David Manners, Valerie Hobson, E.E. Clive and bit parts by Harry Cording, Anne Darling and Carla Laemmle, just a few years after her appearance in the opening coach scene in DRACULA.

The last photo is believed to be Rains in THE MAN WHO RECLAIMED HIS HEAD (1934).

FREUND BY FREULICH

He directed THE MUMMY and MAD LOVE. He lensed famous silent films, METROPOLIS and THE GOLEM, He was behind the camera in DRACULA, MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE, and mainstream films THE GOOD EARTH and KEY LARGO. He was both liked and disliked by the people that worked for and with him. He developed the three-camera film system for comedy films. He was one of the most innovative and influential persons in the development of motion pictures as we know them today. His name was Karl Freund (1890-1969).

Freund had many films to his credit when he was bestowed the Oscar for Best Cinematography for 1937s THE GOOD EARTH. Here, he is lauded by AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER for his cinematic achievements in the March 1938 issue. His excellent portrait is by veteran photographer, Roman Freulich.

JUNIOR LAEMMLE IN THE LOS ANGELES EXAMINER 1931

Carl "Junior" Laemmle was at the top of his game in 1931. Handed the helm of Universal Pictures by his father, he had an Oscar on his mantle for ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT, and a string of hit thrillers that included DRACULA and FRANKENSTEIN that drew theater patrons by the tens of thousands.

The photo shown here is a publicity portrait, shot by Universal staff photographer Roman Freulich and prepared for a cropped image to be pasted up in a July, 1931 edition of the LOS ANGELES EXAMINER. The reverse of the photo shows a portion of the clipping of the article as it appeared in the paper.

[IMAGE SOURCE: USC Los Angeles Examiner Archives]

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STILL OF THE MONTH

A regular feature of movie fan magazine Screenland was "The Most Beautiful Still of the Month". In the July 1936 issue the honor went to a Roman Freulich-lensed photograph from Dracula's Daughter. The still depicts Marguerite Churchill and Otto Kruger in a pensive moment from the film.

Freulich was a staff photograher for Universal. He was the brother of the head of Universal's photography department, Jack Freulich. In 1944 he became head of the stills department at Republic.