Erich Karl Heinrich Kettelhut (1 November 1893 – 13 March 1979) was a German production designer, art director and set decorator. Kettelhut is considered as one of the most important artists in the history of early German cinema, mainly for his set direction for Die Nibelungen (1924) and his design and visual effects for Metropolis (1927). His early career was defined by a working relationship with fellow designers Otto Hunte and Karl Vollbrecht, the trio working on many of Fritz Lang's early German films. Despite being best known for his iconic visuals on several of the most important films of German Expressionist cinema, he is also noted for a career spanning into the 1960s and his work on more light-hearted films and musicals.
Distinguished German art director and production designer, a graduate of the Berlin Kunstgewerbeschule. He was first active as a stage-set painter. Following military service during World War I, Kettelhut joined the production team of Otto Hunte and Karl Vollbrecht, importantly translating Hunte's designs into tangible film architecture. His most famous collaboration was on Fritz Lang's spectacular Metropolis (1927). Kettelhut was a pioneering specialist in architectural models and visual trick effects.
Production Designer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Das Mietshaus
1964
TV Movie
Sabine und die hundert Männer
1960
The 1,000 Eyes of Dr. Mabuse
1960
Sturm im Wasserglas
1960
Bobby Dodd greift ein
1959
Der Mann, der sich verkaufte
1959
U47 - Kapitänleutnant Prien
1958
Confess, Dr. Corda
1958
Von allen geliebt
1957
Made in Germany - Die dramatische Geschichte des Hauses Zeiss
1957
Nina
1956
Drei Mädels vom Rhein
1955
Drei Tage Mittelarrest
1955
Eine Frau genügt nicht?
1955
Kinder, Mütter und ein General
1955
Prisoners of Love
1954
A Love Story
1954
Der Vetter aus Dingsda
1953
Die Rose von Stambul
1953
Mask in Blue
1953
Pension Schöller
1952
Die Csardasfürstin
1951
Torreani
1951
Sensation in San Remo
1951
Drei Mädchen spinnen
1950
Fahrt ins Glück
1948
Eine Frau für drei Tage
1944
Das schwarze Schaf
1944
Der 5. Juni
1942
Tanz mit dem Kaiser
1941
Kora Terry
1940
Der Vorhang fällt
1939
Hallo Janine!
1939
Der grüne Kaiser
1939
Grossalarm
1938
Gasparone
1937
Glückskinder
1936
Final Accord
1936
Frischer Wind aus Kanada
1935
Fürst Woronzeff
1934
Playing with Fire
1934
La jeune fille d'une nuit
1934
Die Töchter ihrer Exzellenz
1934
The Girl Friend of a Big Man
1934
Adieu les beaux jours
1933
Die schönen Tage von Aranjuez
1933
Kind, ich freu' mich auf Dein Kommen
1933
F. P. 1 Doesn't Answer
1933
I.F.1 ne répond plus
1933
F.P.1 Doesn't Answer
1932
Un rêve blond
1932
Le vainqueur
1932
Die Herrin der Welt 8. Teil - Die Rache der Maud Fergusson
1920
Die Herrin der Welt, 7. Teil - Die Wohltäterin der Menschheit
1920
Die Herrin der Welt 6. Teil - Die Frau mit den Millionarden
1920
Die Herrin der Welt 5. Teil - Ophir, die Stadt der Vergangenheit
1920
Die Herrin der Welt 4. Teil - König Macombe
1919
The Mistress of the World, Part Three: The City of Gold
1919
Mistress of the World, Number Two: The Race for Life
1919
Die Herrin der Welt 1. Teil - Die Freundin des gelben Mannes
1919
Der schwarze Freitag
1966
TV Movie
Wölfe und Schafe
1964
TV Movie
Das Verhör
1964
TV Short
Art Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
Das Feuerzeichen
1965
TV Movie
Marili
1959
U47 - Kapitänleutnant Prien
1958
Haie und kleine Fische
1957
Das Mädchen Marion
1956
Rote Rosen, rote Lippen, roter Wein
1953
Die Brüder Noltenius
1945
Die Frau meiner Träume
1944
Du gehörst zu mir
1943
Diesel
1942
Frauen sind doch bessere Diplomaten
1941
Evtl. spätere Heirat nicht ausgeschlossen
1939
Short
Das Fenster im 2. Stock
1939
Short
Notgemeinschaft Hinterhaus
1939
Short
Nanon
1938
Fortsetzung folgt
1938
Fanny Elssler
1937
Seven Slaps
1937
Menschen ohne Vaterland
1937
Les gais lurons
1936
Jonny, haute-couture
1935
Schwarze Rosen
1935
Matrimonial Strike
1935
Tambour battant
1933
Des jungen Dessauers große Liebe
1933
Abel with the Mouth Organ
1933
Du sollst nicht begehren...
1933
A Blonde Dream
1932
A Blonde Dream
1932
Quick
1932/II
Quick
1932/I
Tumultes
1932
Monte Carlo Madness
1932
Liebe ist Liebe
1932
Stürme der Leidenschaft
1932
Le capitaine Craddock
1931
Son altesse l'amour
1931
Bombs Over Monte Carlo
1931
Autour d'une enquête
1931
Voruntersuchung
1931
Princesse, à vos ordres!
1931
Her Grace Commands
1931
Flagrant délit
1931
Her Majesty Love
1931
Murder for Sale
1930
Liebling der Götter
1930
The Love Waltz
1930
Melody of the Heart
1929
Asphalt
1929
Fräulein Else
1929
Ungarische Rhapsodie
1928
Doña Juana
1928
Dancing Vienna
1927
Berlin: Symphony of a Great City
1927
Documentary uncredited
Der Sohn der Hagar
1927
Metropolis
1927
Love Tragedy
1923
Dr. Mabuse: The Gambler
1922
Mysteries of India, Part I: Truth
1921
uncredited
Mysteries of India, Part II: Above All Law
1921
uncredited
Die Schuld der Lavinia Morland
1920
Set Decorator
Title
Year
Status
Character
Final Accord
1936
Die Nibelungen: Kriemhilds Rache
1924
Die Nibelungen: Siegfried
1924
Der steinerne Reiter
1923
Die Herrin der Welt 1. Teil - Die Freundin des gelben Mannes
1919
Art Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Metropolis
1927
set designer
Das wandernde Bild
1920
models
Die Legende von der heiligen Simplicia
1920
assistant art director
Special Effects
Title
Year
Status
Character
Metropolis
1927
trick photography - uncredited
Visual Effects
Title
Year
Status
Character
Metropolis
1927
painting effects - uncredited
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Metropolis
1927
technical consultant - uncredited
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Cinema Europe: The Other Hollywood
1995
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1968
Honorary Award
German Film Awards
For his continued outstanding individual contributions to the german film over the years.