Karl Farkas

Karl Farkas, born in Vienna on October 28, 1893, was an Austrian actor and cabaret performer. He grew up in Vienna-Leopoldstadt with two sisters and an older brother, his parents, Moritz and Franziska Farkas, running a shoe store. His mother’s uncle was the author Felix Salten. Although his parents initially wanted him to study law, he chose the stage instead, attending the k.k. After attending Staatsrealschule Glasergasse, he then studied at the Vienna Academy of Music and Acting Arts. He debuted in Olmütz as Tsarevich in 1903, beginning a career that included various stage appearances in Austria and Moravia.

Farkas's comedic journey took a significant turn around 1921 when he joined Kabarett Simpl under Egon Dorn, working there as a 'Blitzdichter,' also known as 'Die Zecke.' He collaborated with Fritz Grünbaum on Doppelconférences and cabaret numbers originating in Budapest. In 1924, he married actress Anny Hán. From 1926, he worked at the Vienna Burgtheater, and in 1927, he and Grünbaum presented the Marischka Revue, which enjoyed a long run of 430 performances. He also wrote lyrics for songs such as 'Wenn die Elisabeth nicht so schöne Beine hätt’' and 'Pflückt ein Mädl Ribisel.' His writing extended to revues and musical comedies, including Journal der Liebe (1926), Wien lacht wieder! (1926), Die Wunder-Bar (1929), Der Traumexpreß (1931), Hofloge (1936), Dixie (1938), and Marinka (1945). Several films were based on his works, including When the Soldiers (1931), By Candlelight (1933), Wonder Bar (1934), and adaptations of Hofloge and Bei Kerzenlicht.

Due to his Jewish descent, Farkas was forced into exile in 1938, moving through Brno, Paris, and eventually New York. While in New York, he wrote the book of poems Farkas entdeckt Amerika. He also wrote the libretto for Emmerich Kálmán's operetta Marinka. He served on the Russian, Romanian, and Italian fronts during World War I, receiving the Silver Bravery Medal. After returning to Vienna in 1946, he remarried his former wife and resumed performing at Kabarett Simpl in 1950, directing it until his death on May 16, 1971. He frequently appeared on Austrian TV (ORF) from 1957 onward, known for his 'Balances,' and hosted the 'Aktualitätlichkeiten' program on Sender Rot-Weiß-Rot. His work continued to be recognized; in 2014, he starred in the Austrian revue comic book Der Blöde und der Gscheite. He also wrote as a screenwriter for films like Lumpenkavaliere (1932) and Adventures on the Lido (1933).