Feuchwanger—Writer of the World-Famous "Jew Suss"

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 25, 28 December 1934, Page 12

Feuchwanger—Writer of the World-Famous "Jew Suss"

German Author, with a Face as "Tremulous as a Rodent’s," Has Had Varied Career

Soon to be released in New Zealand is "Jew Suss," the film version of one of the greatest books of the twentieth century. The film, which was made by Gaumont-British, has Conrad Veidt in the leading role. Below are given details of the career of Lion the author. .

ION FEUCHTWANGER was born in Munich, Germany, in the yeu 1884. He was not in love with his native city. He received in the schools "a dreary and pedantie educationconservative, patriotic, unaware of sport-in fact, entirely detached from life.’» He wrote a play when at school to celebrate the birthday of the Prince, and it was performed by his schoo!lmates. He studied literature and philosophy in Munich and Berlin under Krik Schmidt Munecker and Count Hartling, who later became Prime Minister. In 1905 to 1910 he founded a Literature Society in Munich, which, in the face of hidebound opposition, tried to foster modern literature. In 1912 he married the beautiful Martha Loffler, of Munich. After his marriage he travelled a great. deal in Burope With his wife. If nroney disappeared he wrote articles and waited for the money. When war broke out he was made a prisoner of war by the French in Tunis, where he was then living, but his wife smuggled. him on to an Italian boat and he was soon in Germany where le joined the army. During the war his works were constantly suppressed. He has written "Warren Hastings,"

"Jew Suss," "Peace" (a play), "Thomiis Wendt," and "The Ugly Duchess.’ His greatest dramatic success’ was with his poetie version of "Vasantasena," which was produced more thau 1000 times within eight years in Germany. He won international reputation with his novel, "Jew Suss," published in 1926 under the title of "Power." Late in 1980, Feuchtwanger’s "Success" was published simultaneously in Germany and Americu. When he does research work on h1s historical novels he consults the city library. He makes notes and then dictates in more. or less final form t his secretary, an efficient young womal who keeps a card index of all his chavacters, their appearance and idiosyn: crasies, so that.a character will not be grey-eyed at the beginning of his story and blue-eyed at the end. Many of his poems have been translated by Do-w-thy Thompson (Mrs. Sinclair Lewis). Feuchtwanger is thin and short, with a sharp, intelligent face, "tremulous as a rodent’s." When he talks his whole face talks, his eyes twinkle behind glass and his black eyebrows jerk nervously. He works in a queer sort of costume, a cross between pyjamas and Frencna mechanics’ corduroys.