The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1983 (10. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1983-05-01 / 5. szám
THE EIGHTH HUNGARIAN TRIBE May, 1983 Page 6 :cognized classics of the world of drama. His artistry shines most brightly in his technique. He was an ndisputed expert of stagecraft. The inextricable fusion of his fe with the theater gave him theatrical versatility and vast nowledge of all the tricks of the stage. The ease and vigor of is innovative talent, the ability to construct plays faultlessly, ie discipline and sense of dramatic proportion, make him one if the finest theatrical craftsmen of his era. He once stated that he wrote only what was natural to him. Perhaps that is why his work was enormously successful during and after his life, both with the simple reader or audience and knowledgeable critics. He is superb as an observer, a technician, a storyteller, and a humorist. He does not conceal his ideas in obscure language, pseudosymbolism, forced social consciousness, or intellectual aloofness. His brilliance is one that not only entertains but also enlightens. His tremendous national and international fame inspired scores of Hungarian playwrights—Elemér Boross, László Fodor, Lajos Biró, László Bús-Fekete, Ernő Vajda, Attila Orbók. and Imre Földes, among others—to follow his style of playwriting. The export plays of these perhaps not always conscious Imitators achieved temporary success abroad, especially in the United States, but their popularity died rapidly. The interest in Molnár’s work, however, has not abated. His place in the world of drama is secure—most of his plays are still relevant and are being performed all over the world. Molnár’s long and turbulent life was one of hard and incessant work. For over fifty years he transposed his inner conflict into his literary work; writing was his oxygen, elixir, and self-therapy. Though not all his creations are masterpieces, few are carelessly done. He wanted primarily to be an entertainer, not a preacher or propagandist. He succeeded. By his special skill, he provided the public with escape, gaiety, and an illusory world in which conflicts were fun and amenable to solution. Perhaps not a Hungarian Moliére, but certainly a Hungarian Noel Coward, Molnár deserves respect as a stage magician who, “with a flourish, lifted us up to the sky.”3 A true artist, he contributed prodigally to the literary heritage of the world by spreading truth and joy among his fellow men. To order this book — write to: C. K. Hall and Company 70 Lincoln Street Boston, Massachusetts 02111 MAMA It’s a week now that I think only of Mama, trudging, musing, lonely. As in her lap she briskly carried The creaking basket to the garrett. I was still a spoiled brat, an urchin, I yelled and bawled and stumped a-cursin, That darned wash! Let someone else bear it, She should carry me to the garrett. She just went on, sad, hanged things singly, Neither scoulding, nor looking at me And the laundry flew gleaming, rustling, Circling around in down and upswing. No use to whine. . . It’s all behind me. Now I see her colossal, mighty. . . Up in the sky her gray hair flutters, She mixes bluing in heaven’s waters. . . József Attila: Translated by László Tehel. Chronology 1878 Bom in Budapest on January 12, the second son of Dr. Mór Neumann and Jozefa Wallfisch. 1887- Attends Református Gimnázium (high school) in Buda-1895 pest. 1895- Studies law in Budapest and Geneva; travels to Paris; 1896 becomes a journalist, returns to Budapest; changes his name to Molnár. 1898 Death of mother; travels in Europe; publication of Magdolna. 1901 Publication of first novel, Az éhes város. 1902 Opening of first play, A doktor úr, in Budapest. 1906 Works for Budapesti Napló-, marries his editor’s daughter, Margit Vészi. 1907 Daughter Márta is bom; publication of The Paul Street Boys; opening of The Devil in Budapest. 1908 Death of father; The Devil is performed all over Europe and in New York; election to Petőfi Society. 1909 Production and failure of Liliom, in Budapest; long illness. 1910 Divorces Margit Vészi; The Guardsman opens in Budapest. 1911 Attempts suicide; convalescence in Austria. Election to Kisfaludy Literary Society. 1912 The Wolf opens in Budapest, two years later in New York. Publication of two short story collections. 1914- War correspondent on the Galician front. 1915 1916 The White Cloud wins the Academy’s Voinits Award; war diary and volumes of essays published; awarded the Franz Joseph Order. 1917 Opening of Carnival and Fashions for Man. 1920 Opening of The Swan. 1921 Opening of Liliom in New York. 1922 Marries the celebrated prima donna Sári Fedák: Heavenly and Earthly Love opens in Budapest, Fashions for Man in New York. 1924 Divorces Sári Fedák; opening of The Glass Slippers. 1926 Marries actress Lili Darvas; The Play’s the Thing opens in Budapest and New York. 1927 Awarded Legion of Honor after The Swan’s Paris premiere; first trip to USA on Dec. 22; President Coolidge receives him in the White House. 1928 Collected Works in twenty volumes published in Budapest; opening of Olympia. 1929 Opening of The President; publication of his play collection in English, The Plays of Ferenc Molnár. 1932 Meets Wanda Bartha; travels in Europe, opening of Harmony and Arthur in Budapest, revival of Liliom and The Good Fairy in New York. 1934- Continues traveling in Europe with Wanda Bartha; four 1936 new plays open in Budapest. 1937 Opening of Delilah; leaves Budapest for the last time. 1940 Arrives at New York on January 12; moves to the Hotel Plaza, where he stays till his death. Delicate Story opens in New York. 1943 Suffers a massive heart attack. 1945 Publication of Farewell My Heart and The Captain of St. Margaret’s. 1947 Becomes an American citizen; Wanda Bartha commits suicide. 1948 Refuses to return to Hungary for the celebration of his seventieth birthday. His health begins to fail. 1950 Publication of Companion in Exile and Stories for Two. 1952 Dies in New York of cancer, April 1. Publication of Romantic Comedies. 1955 Sári Fedák dies in Budapest. 1961 Margit Vészi commits suicide in Spain. 1974 Lili Darvas dies in New York.
