Gustav Machatý

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Gustav Machatý
(before 1932)

Gustav Machatý (born March 9, 1901 in Prague , † December 14, 1963 in Munich ) was a Czech film actor and director . His best-known production was Ekstase (1933), which caused an international sensation due to the nude appearances of the leading actress Hedy Lamarr .

Live and act

The son of the then general director of the Škoda plants made contact with film during his youth. During the First World War he accompanied performances on the piano in the Prague film theater . In 1918 he stood for the first time as an actor in front of the camera and in 1919 he made his directorial debut. At the beginning of the 1920s, Machatý was temporarily in Hollywood to gain experience. As a director's assistant he worked for greats like David W. Griffith and Erich von Stroheim . Back in Prague, he began studying, which he completed with a doctorate to become a Dr. phil. completed.

With the remake of “Die Kreutzersonata” based on Tolstoy , Machatý resumed directing in 1926. In 1928 he filmed the story of the Czech fictional character " Schwejk " with "Schwejk in civil" in Austria . He first caused a stir at the end of 1928 with "Erotikon", a film with erotic kissing and affectionate scenes that were daring for the time. The film ran into international problems with censorship, but was recognized by audiences and critics.

His best-known work also owes its success to an international scandal. With " Ekstase " he directed a banal film in Austria in 1933, which, due to the nude scenes of Hedy Lamarr (then still known as Hedy Kiesler ), not only helped the film to global fame, but also helped the leading actress to a Hollywood career. In Germany (under the title “Symphony of Love”) and some other countries, the film could only be shown defused under considerable censorship conditions - corresponding scenes were cut out. This film also brought Machatý some directorial offers from Austria , Italy and Hollywood , where he participated in some scenes of the successful productions " Die Gute Erde " and the Greta Garbo world success "Maria Walewska" in 1936 , without being mentioned by name. His Hollywood productions, which he realized alone, were disappointing, however.

In 1950 Machatý settled in Munich, where he directed the sappy story from World War II, "Suchkind 312", for the last time in 1955.

Filmography

The following is a selection of productions in which Gustav Machatý participated as a director, unless otherwise stated:

  • Aloi vyhrál los (ČSR 1918; only play)
  • Teddy by Kouril (ČSR 1919; also acting, production and co-script)
  • Dama s malou nozkou (ČSR 1919; co-director, acting)
  • Vzteklý zenich (ČSR 1919; co-director)
  • Kreutzerova Sonáta / Die Kreutzer Sonata (ČSR 1926; also screenplay)
  • Svejkv civilu / Schwejk in civil (Ö / ČSR 1927)
  • 1929: Erotic (ČSR 1929; also co-production)
  • Ze soboty na nedeli (ČSR 1931)
  • Nacera dec klál kibicu (ČSR 1932)
  • Ecstasy / Symphony of Love (Austria / ČSR 1933)
  • Nocturno (Austria 1934; also co-script)
  • Ballerine (ITA 1936)
  • The Good Earth ( The Good Earth ) (USA 1936, partly co-directed)
  • Conquest / Maria Walewska (film) (USA 1936; partly co-director)
  • The Wrong Way Out (USA 1938; short film)
  • Within the Law (USA 1939)
  • Jealousy (USA 1945; also co-production and co-script)
  • It happened on July 20th (D 1955; co-script only)
  • Suchkind 312 (D 1955; also co-screenplay; last film)

Awards

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Machatý, Gustav
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Machaty, Gustav
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Czech film actor and director
DATE OF BIRTH March 9, 1901
PLACE OF BIRTH Prague , Austria-Hungary, today the Czech Republic
DATE OF DEATH December 14, 1963
Place of death Munich , Germany