LUDWIG TRAUTMANN (ASSEMBLY)
30/05/2025
VOM WERDEN DEUTSCHER FILMKUNST - DER STUMME FILM CIGARETTEN BILDERDIENST - ALTONA-BAHRENFELD (1935)
Card n.19
LUDWIG TRAUTMANN
Ludwig Trautmann (1885-1957) was a German actor, director, and film producer, known for his contributions to silent films and for being the first German actor to sign a film contract in 1912. Born in Dachsbach, Bavaria, Trautmann began his stage career in 1901 before entering the film industry. Film Career Trautmann acted in numerous silent films, collaborating with prominent directors such as Harry Piel and Joe May. His most famous works include Madeleine (1912), Black Pierrot (1913), and The Prisoner of Magdeburg (1932). During World War I, he founded his own production company and became one of the highest-paid actors of the period. A Film Innovator In addition to his acting career, Trautmann was an innovator in the film industry. On April 9, 1912, he made history by signing the first film contract in Germany with Deutsche Bioscop. This event marked a turning point in the German film industry, paving the way for greater professionalization of the industry. Legacy and Influence Trautmann remained active in film until the 1930s, contributing to the growth of the German film industry. His career and his impact on silent cinema make him a major figure in the history of European cinema.