German motion picture pioneer, associated with the industry from 1903. Cinematographer from 1906, later also turning to producing and directing. In conjunction with the actress Henny Porten, he set up his own production company, Froelich-Film GmbH, in 1920. Porten often featured in his output. Froelich was at his peak during the 1930's, turning out many commercially successful entertainments. He was feted by the Nazi regime after becoming a member of the NSDAP in 1933 and was appointed president of the Reichsfilmkammer. Froelich's studio facilities in Berlin were bombed out during the war and became unusable. Froelich himself, after 'denazification' in 1948, made only two more films before his death in 1953.
