Gustav Machaty
About
Biography
Biography
Offbeat, talented international writer-director, a former actor best known for the galvanizing visuals, sleek eroticism and provocative symbolism of his modernist Czech films "Erotikon" (1929), "From Saturday to Sunday" (1931) and "Ecstasy" (1932)--the latter a success de scandale thanks to the nude appearance of Hedwig Keisler (later Hedy Lamarr). Machaty's later films, made in Italy, Austria, the US and West Germany, generally did not fulfill the promise of his earlier work, but he did make several worthy if minor films in the US, notably the striking short subject, "Wrong Way Out" (1938) and the stylishly photographed and narrated film noir, "Jealousy" (1945).
Filmography
Director (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Life Events
1919
Began acting in films at age 17; earliest credits include "Alois Won a Prize" and "The Lady with Tiny Feet"; the latter was one of his earliest writing credits
1919
Directed first film, "Teddy Wants to Smoke"
1920
Journeyed to the US; lived there for four years, working as an assistant to directors including Erich von Stroheim and D.W. Griffith
1927
Achieved notable directorial triumph with his second film, the Czech-made "The Kreutzer Sonata", which he also wrote
1929
First producing credit, "Erotikon", which he also wrote and directed
1934
First film made outside Czechoslovakia, "Nocturno", made in Austria
1937
Earliest US directorial work included uncredited work on the films "Born Reckless", "The Good Earth", "Madame X" and "Conquest"
1938
Directed the notable short film, "Wrong Way Out"
1939
First US feature credit as director, "Within the Law"
1945
Last US film, "Jealousy"
1955
Last directorial efforts include the German film, "Suchkind 312"
1956
Last writing credit, the war docudrama "It Happened in Broad Daylight", directed by G.W. Pabst
