Paul Czinner

Who was Paul Czinner?

Paul Czinner was a writer, film director, and producer.

Czinner was born in Budapest, Austria-Hungary. After studying literature and philosophy at the University of Vienna, he worked as a journalist. From 1919 onward, he dedicated himself to work for the filming industry as writer, director and producer. In 1924, he offered the leading role in his film Nju to Elisabeth Bergner. They became partners, and after the persecution of the Jewish people by Adolf Hitler they fled to Vienna and then London, where they were married. Despite Czinner's homosexuality, the union proved a happy and personally and professionally enriching union for both partners. 1934 saw the realisation of his film Katharina die Grosse, with his wife playing the main role, although the film was not shown in Germany. They emigrated to the United States in 1940, working on Broadway.

After the end of World War II, they returned to England, where Czinner made numerous successful opera movies.

He died on 22 June 1972 in London, England, at the age of 82.