1. The Metropolis Robot – Interview with the artist

Interview with Walter Schulze-Mittendorff
at the Cinémathèque française in Paris in 1972

In this 2’28’’ lasting interview Walter Schulze-Mittendorff tells about his participation in Fritz Lang’s ‘Metropolis’ and his recreation of the ‘Metropolis Robot’, the Maschinenmensch, for the Museum of the Cinémathèque française. He depicts how this figure as well as the figures of the group ‘Death and Seven Deadly Sins’ were used as costumes in the film.

“Way back in 1925 at Fritz Lang’s I did the Maschinenmensch for the Film ‘Metropolis’. In those days it was to be worn for Brigitte Helm, who was effectively tucked in this thing as costume.
 
Now at the Cinémathèque’s request here in Paris, I did it once more for this Museum. When at one point one stands at the piece of work memories awake and then it occurs as if one would do it for the first time again.
 
This was indeed a big thing with tricks. The cinematographer Günther Rittau did all the tricks just next to the actual camera, on which Karl Freund was working. This was running alongside because it was so comprehensive. Therefore she (Brigitte Helm) had to (endure to be stuck into the costume for quite a while) I do not know for how long any more but it was quite enormous.
 
Those are plastic figurines for ‘Death and Seven Deadly Sins’. This was a full-size group in the film ‘Metropolis’ in the cathedral. This includes also these full-sized heads of the single figures which the actors were fitted with, front, back, they were completely locked in the masks. And then they had (to wear) a costume which was like woodcarving in form and in colour. This was not very comfortable for the actors. For Brigitte Helm being in the costume the whole day long was a real torture.”

The words in brackets are added for the reader’s better understanding.

Bertina Schulze-Mittendorff, Hamburg, January 2013