1. Overview
Greta Schröder was a prominent German actress whose career spanned several decades, most notably the 1920s. She is widely recognized for her iconic portrayal of Ellen Hutter, the wife of Thomas Hutter and the catalyst for Count Orlok's demise, in F.W. Murnau's seminal 1922 silent horror film, Nosferatu. While her most active period was in the 1920s, she continued to appear in films through the 1950s, though her roles became less frequent after the 1930s. Beyond acting, Schröder also contributed to the film industry as a writer. Her personal life included marriages to actor Ernst Matray and, later, to the acclaimed actor and film director Paul Wegener. Her legacy is predominantly tied to her pivotal role in one of cinema's earliest and most influential horror masterpieces.
2. Life
Greta Schröder's life was marked by her significant contributions to early German cinema and her notable personal relationships.
2.1. Birth and Early Life
Greta Schröder was born on June 27, 1892, in Düsseldorf, Germany. While this date is widely accepted, some sources indicate an alternative birth date of September 7, 1891. Her early life in Germany set the stage for her future career in acting.
2.2. Marriage and Private Life
Schröder was married twice. Her first marriage was to Ernst Matray, an actor who struggled in his career. Following their divorce, she married the renowned actor and film director Paul Wegener. Paul Wegener was a prominent figure in German cinema and was also a cousin of the geologist Alfred Wegener. During her marriage to Paul Wegener, Greta Schröder occasionally used the name 'Greta Wegener'. Their marriage lasted until Paul Wegener's death in 1948.
3. Career
Greta Schröder's professional journey primarily revolved around her acting career, though she also made contributions as a writer.
3.1. Acting Career
Schröder's acting career was most prolific during the 1920s, a golden age for German silent cinema. She gained significant recognition for her role in *Nosferatu* (1922), which remains her most celebrated performance. Although her roles diminished in frequency by the 1930s, she continued to act well into the 1950s, demonstrating a sustained presence in the film industry across different eras. Her filmography includes a mix of German and British productions.
3.2. Writing Career
In addition to her work as an actress, Greta Schröder also ventured into writing for film. She is credited as a writer for two films: Zucker und ZimtGerman (1915) and Das Phantom der OperGerman (1916). For the latter, a film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera, she was credited under the name 'Greta Schröder Mátray', reflecting her first marriage.
4. Major Works
Among Greta Schröder's extensive filmography, one work stands out as particularly significant for its historical impact and her central role within it.
4.1. Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror
Greta Schröder's most important and enduring work is her portrayal of Ellen Hutter in F.W. Murnau's 1922 classic, Nosferatu. In this silent horror film, Ellen Hutter is the wife of Thomas Hutter and serves as the heroine of the story. Her character is pivotal to the narrative, as she ultimately becomes the cause of Count Orlok's destruction. Schröder's performance in this groundbreaking film solidified her place in cinematic history, making her an iconic figure in the horror genre and a key part of one of the most influential German Expressionist films.
5. Filmography
This section provides a comprehensive list of Greta Schröder's contributions to film as both an actress and a writer.
5.1. Actress
Greta Schröder appeared in numerous films throughout her career.
- 1913: Die Insel der SeligenGerman
- 1920: The Red Peacock as Alfred's sister
- 1920: The Golem: How He Came into the World as a lady of the court
- 1920: The Closed Chain
- 1920: Arme ViolettaGerman
- 1921: The Lost Shadow as Countess Dorothea Durande
- 1921: Circus of Life as Alegria
- 1921: Marizza as Sadja
- 1922: Nosferatu as Ellen Hutter
- 1922: Es leuchtet meine LiebeGerman
- 1923: BrüderGerman
- 1923: Paganini as Antonia Paganini
- 1930: Die zwölfte Stunde - Eine Nacht des GrauensGerman (a re-edited version of Nosferatu with sound)
- 1937: Victoria the Great as Baroness Lehzen (a British film)
- 1938: Sixty Glorious Years as Baroness Lehzen (a British film)
- 1943: Melody of a Great City
- 1943: Wild Bird as Jutta Lossen
- 1944: Kolberg as Sophie Marie von Voß
- 1951: Maria Theresa (an Austrian film)
- 1953: Stars Over Colombo (a West German film)
- 1953: Anna Louise and Anton (a West German film)
5.2. Writer
Greta Schröder contributed to the following films as a writer:
- 1915: Zucker und ZimtGerman
- 1916: Das Phantom der OperGerman (credited as Greta Schröder Mátray)
6. Portrayal in Popular Culture
Greta Schröder's life and her involvement in the production of Nosferatu were fictionalized in the 2000 film Shadow of the Vampire. In this film, Catherine McCormack portrayed Greta Schröder. The film depicted Schröder as a famous actress during the making of Nosferatu; however, in reality, she was relatively little known at the time of the film's production.
7. Death
Greta Schröder died on June 8, 1980. The Austrian writer Kay Weniger states that she passed away in Berlin, East Germany. However, some sources present a different account, suggesting her death occurred earlier on April 13, 1967, in Vienna, Austria.
8. Assessment and Impact
Greta Schröder's legacy is primarily defined by her iconic role as Ellen Hutter in F.W. Murnau's 1922 masterpiece, Nosferatu. Her performance in this seminal work of German Expressionist cinema cemented her place in film history, making her an enduring figure in the horror genre. While the bulk of her career was concentrated in the 1920s, and her roles became less frequent in later decades, her continued presence in films until the 1950s demonstrates her dedication to acting. Despite her portrayal as a famous actress in later fictionalized accounts, Schröder was not widely known during the production of Nosferatu. Nevertheless, her contribution to one of the most influential films ever made ensures her lasting impact on the film industry.